Art History Student Wins $1,000 Riess Scholarship

The University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) student Emily Rebmann, an art history major also earning a certificate in Classics, is the 2011-2012 winner of the

Jonathan Riess Memorial Scholarship

.

The $1,000 scholarship, the first-ever tuition scholarship specifically for art history majors, honors Jonathan Riess, a noted scholars of Italian Renaissance art and a one-time art history faculty member who taught at UC for 30 years before his death in 2006.

Rebmann was awarded the scholarship on the strength of her academic record, demonstrated commitment to the field of art history, leadership in extracurricular activities and service.

Rebmann has earned a 3.9 GPA and consistently earns placement on the Dean’s List. As an art history student at UC, she has made particular study of Japanese ink paintings. She even read the complete “The Tale of Genji,” a lengthy Japanese classic dating from the 11th century, during winter break.

In a letter of recommendation, Miki Hirayama, associate professor, wrote that Rebmann’s performance in last fall’s “Survey of Japanese Art” was superb, and that Rebmann was “one of the most conscientious and diligent students” in class. Hirayama also stated, “Emily was one of the few students in class who had the self discipline and intellectual curiosity to quickly overcome the initial cultural barrier and grasp the visual and spiritual significance of the images discussed in class.”  

For her part, Rebmann said, “Thanks to my DAAP classes, I am just beginning to scrape the surface of this pictorial world of symbolism, mystery and intrigue.”

At UC, Rebmann is involved as a member of UC Hepcats and the Bearcat Marching Band. She plays the French horn in the concert band, horn quartet, and horn choir, as well as the mellophone in the pep and marching bands. 

• Apply to UC's undergraduate art history program.