UNK Student Faith Rasmussen Wins Multiple ADDY Awards

Rasmussen's magazine designs earn top honors at Nebraska advertising competition

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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University of Nebraska at Kearney student Faith Rasmussen received multiple gold ADDY awards, including Best of Show, at the 2026 American Advertising Awards state competition organized by AAF Nebraska. Rasmussen, a senior from O'Neill, was recognized for her work on 'Frostbyte Magazine' and 'Reverse//Forward Photo Magazine' projects developed in her UNK design and photography courses.

Why it matters

The ADDY Awards are considered the 'Oscars of advertising,' recognizing creative excellence across the industry. Winning multiple gold ADDYs at the state level is a significant achievement that showcases the talent and dedication of UNK's art and design students, as well as the strength of the university's program.

The details

Rasmussen received a gold ADDY for 'Frostbyte Magazine,' created in her Senior Portfolio and Design IV courses, which was selected as Best of Show among all student submissions. She also earned a gold ADDY for 'Reverse//Forward Photo Magazine,' a project developed in her Senior Portfolio and Photography classes. The awards were presented at the statewide AAF Nebraska event on February 20 in Omaha.

  • The 2026 American Advertising Awards state competition organized by AAF Nebraska was held on February 20 in Omaha.
  • Rasmussen created the award-winning 'Frostbyte Magazine' and 'Reverse//Forward Photo Magazine' projects in her UNK Senior Portfolio, Design IV, and Photography courses.

The players

Faith Rasmussen

A senior at the University of Nebraska at Kearney from O'Neill, Nebraska, who received multiple gold ADDY awards, including Best of Show, for her magazine design and photography projects.

Rick Schuessler

The chair of the UNK Department of Art and Design, who praised Rasmussen's awards as a reflection of the talent and dedication of UNK's art and design students, as well as the strength of the university's program.

American Advertising Federation (AAF)

The organization that conducts the annual American Advertising Awards, the industry's largest and most respected competition recognizing creative excellence across all areas of advertising and design.

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What they’re saying

“These awards are significant because they place our students' work alongside the very best in Nebraska. To earn gold ADDYs and special citations at the state level reflects not only their talent and dedication, but also their ability to create outstanding designs for real-world clients. We're incredibly proud of Faith, Tia and the entire Typography II team for representing UNK at such a high level.”

— Rick Schuessler, Chair, UNK Department of Art and Design (kbrx.com)

What’s next

The next step for Rasmussen and other UNK students who won gold ADDYs at the state level is to advance to the district competition, with district winners then moving on to the national American Advertising Awards.

The takeaway

The success of UNK art and design students like Faith Rasmussen in the prestigious ADDY Awards competition demonstrates the high caliber of the university's program and its ability to prepare students for real-world creative careers. This recognition underscores the talent and dedication of UNK students and the strength of the institution's commitment to fostering excellence in the visual arts.