UAlbany Unveils Winner of Annual Holiday Card Student Art Contest

Aliyah Melendez, winner of UAlbany's Holiday Card contest, standing with VP Michael Christakis and President Havidán Rodríguez
President Havidán Rodríguez and Vice President Mike Christakis congratulate contest winner Aliyah Meléndez. (Photo by Patrick Dodson)

ALBANY, N.Y. (Dec. 12, 2024) — The University at Albany has announced the winners of its 2024 Holiday Card Design Contest, an annual competition that highlights the creativity of the University’s student body. 

The first-place award of $1,000 went to graduate student Aliyah Meléndez for her design featuring a group of students and a restful Damien enjoying a fresh snowfall in front of the podium with the historic carillon in the background. Meléndez, who is from Cherry Plain and is working towards her MFA in studio art, is a repeat winner — she won the contest last year as a UAlbany senior.  

"I'm happy to be a part of this event once again," Meléndez said. "It was great to help showcase the joy this time of year brings UAlbany students." 

Meléndez’s design and the two other finalists were chosen from among 63 submissions. The winning entries were unveiled Tuesday morning during the annual end-of-semester Community Coffee Hour with President Rodríguez in the Great Hall of the Campus Center. Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Michael Christakis, who emceed the unveiling event, noted the holiday card contest began in 2018.  

“Every year, the University at Albany Holiday Card Design Contest showcases the incredible creativity and artistry of our students," Rodríguez said. "This year’s entries were no exception, making choosing winners a difficult task. The winning design speaks to our close-knit Great Dane family and is a perfect celebration of the holiday spirit at UAlbany.”

Three people smiling next to a piece of artwork depicting a winter scene on the UAlbany campus.
First runner-up Anna Metzler won a $750 scholarship. (Photo by Patrick Dodson)

First runner-up Anna Metzler won a $750 scholarship for a painting celebrating a sunny winter day on UAlbany’s campus. Metzler is a graduate student from Lowville, studying social welfare.  

Gaby Pitcher — a doctoral student in counseling psychology from Albany — was the second runner-up and will receive a $500 scholarship for their design, which depicted UAlbany’s iconic Minerva logo against a glittery backdrop of snow.  

Three people standing smiling next to a piece of artwork depicting a golden Minerva head against a purple background.
Second runner-up Gaby Pitcher won a $500 scholarship. (Photo by Patrick Dodson)

Meléndez’s winning design will be shared digitally with students, faculty, staff and friends of the University as part of UAlbany’s annual holiday card, which is scheduled to be sent out later this month.