Vicki Cassman Undergraduate Award recipients

​The Vicki Cassman Undergraduate Award Committee and the Department of Art Conservation would like to whole-heartedly thank you for your contributions to the Vicki Cassman Undergraduate Award. Thanks to your generous support, we far exceeded our $5,000 fundraising goal and raised $10,900 during this year’s I Heart UD Giving Day!

These funds will be added to the existing endowment established in 2021 to honor Vicki’s legacy. Supporting students interested in the field of material culture preservation is the heart of that legacy. In an attempt to continue her work, the Vicki Cassman Award is used to encourage and support professional development opportunities that embody the spirit of exploration, creativity, and service that its namesake encouraged in each of her students, so they can supplement their education in unique and compelling ways. 

Two talented students were funded for 2021–2022 with projects ranging from the hands-on learning of wood and log historic preservation techniques in the Grand Teton National Forest to practicing painting conservation in both lab and gallery spaces at the Chrysler Museum of Art. We know Vicki would be so proud of their accomplishments and those of the 2022–2023 recipients whom we are excited to now share with you in their own words:​​

​Lisa Clifford

Last summer, I built a database for the Greener Solvent Project, which aims to substitute harsher solvents used in conservation labs with environmentally friendly options. I wanted to present my database at the International Council of Museums Committee for Conservation (ICOM-CC) conference because of its timely theme, Working toward a Sustainable Past. However, I would not have been able to take this opportunity without the Vicki Cassman Award, which is helping me travel to Valencia, Spain to present in person and learn from a global community of conservators whose focus is sustainability!

Nicholas Fandaros

Limited in-person opportunities during my time as an undergraduate have significantly impacted my ability to secure conservation internships outside of my university. I am very grateful to hear that the Award Committee would like to support my summer work and help me foster a deeper understanding of museum practices and community engagement.The opportunity [to be] Head Intern for [the] Central Park Conservancy's summer Monument Conservation Program. . . aligns with the goals and intent of my future educational endeavors, and I am very excited to have this opportunity.

More information about the Vicki Cassman Undergraduate Award​ can be found on the award page​ on our website. Your support not only honors Vicki’s impactful legacy within the field of art conservation but also has a priceless impact on these and future students of the Department of Art Conservation. Thank you for your contributions to that effort!

With sincere gratitude,

Vicki Cassman Undergraduate Award Committee:

Karissa Muratore (Class of 2018)

Amanda Kasman (Class of 2018)

Jacqueline DeLuca (Class of 2014)

Maggie Bearden (Class of 2011)​​