Oglala Lakota College (OLC) student Elisiah Martinez is the first recipient of the Jackalope Scholarship Fund. The $1,000 annual scholarship, funded by marketing and communications firm Jackalope, recognizes OLC graphic design students demonstrating high creative ability, academic excellence, and need.
“The establishment of the Jackalope Scholarship Fund comes at a vital time for students at OLC. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges for our students. Now is the time to show the next generation of Lakota Artists and Designers that their hard work is worthwhile and valued,” says Marty Two Bulls Jr., OLC Art Faculty.
Martinez will graduate in the spring of 2021 with an associate degree in graphic design. She intends to pursue either an internship with a local art department or continue her education at the Institute of American Indian Arts. “This semester was actually my hardest semester as a graphic design major,” Martinez explains. “Hearing that the hard work I was putting in, despite my situation, was recognized not only by my instructor, but also by Jackalope, was a really big deal to me.”
Jason Alley, principal and owner of Jackalope, says he created the scholarship fund for OLC students because he believes in the purpose of the college and talent of their students. “I received a scholarship when I was a graphic design student and the encouragement of receiving that award stuck with me. My hope is that this fund helps tap into the potential of students like Elisiah Martinez,” Alley states.
Martinez envisions a career in logo, album, and merchandise design for a large company or musician, with the hope to see her design work in public one day. Two Bulls Jr. concludes, “The Jackalope Scholarship Fund provides much needed support and encouragement for Graphic Arts students at OLC and I am grateful for the support of Jackalope.”
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Oglala Lakota College is chartered by the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities that enhance Lakota life. These opportunities include community services, certificates, GED, associate, bachelor, and graduate degrees. Oglala Lakota College provides a framework of excellence for student knowledge, skills, and values towards Piya Wiconi – a new beginning for harmony in fulfillment of aspirations and dreams. Oglala Lakota College is committed to continuous improvement and is creating Oglala Lakota University through outstanding teaching, research, community service, and assessment.
We are Jackalope, an ad agency that left behind the safety of tradition to cut a new path. We work with brands, artists and causes to uncover their deeper story, the one that’s rooted in purpose and pointed directly off the map. Often the story will ask you to change. To transform into something new, something the world has not quite seen before. This is your chance.
