Tiffany Knight, Class of 2010

 

 

Tiffany Knight, Gilman Winner

Tiffany Knight (Architecture, Class of 2010) was a 2008 recipient of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.  For this, she was awarded $3500 dollars to study abroad. 

I moved to Georgia when I was four and lived there until I turned 12. When we first moved into our development there were no more than three houses and we had no immediate neighbors. Our backyard was a forest of ivy, bushes and pine trees where my brother, friends and I played for hours in our own little worlds. I remember a small hill, then a field of wild grasses that stood taller than me.   

It was always an amazing sight, breaking through these thick grasses and seeing a huge field, maybe a rabbit or a deer which my dogs would chase. My friends and I played sports, rode our dirt bikes on homemade trails, and boated out onto the pond. It was always an adventure and I must admit it did a lot for my imagination.  

When I was 10 I started taking professional art classes, and I was introduced to a world outside my own. I was suddenly aware that there was more out there than my small Georgia town. This inspired me and I eventually came to realize that I wanted to be in a city. I wanted to be around a lot of people and where things were always happening. My teacher pushed me further than anyone had before and taught me things about myself, about my abilities, specialties, and really encouraged me to pursue art. She would always pull photo albums of her travels, and I remember seeing pictures of Italy, Tuscany, and Florence for the first time. Almost stunned by the beauty of the world - kids only really know their surroundings - I had my first introduction to the world outside my world and I have always, after that moment, been determined to go to Italy. It’s a big reason why I chose to attend Temple’s Architecture program.   

What made Philadelphia and Temple the winner was the Architectural program and it’s Rome Campus in Italy. I have been so excited about this opportunity since my senior year of high school when I knew I would be attending temple. I love that the curriculum pushes students to travel their fourth year and of course Italy has always been my dream! Even though Temple was not an easy or quick adaption, my transition after the first move from Georgia helped me learn how to adapt to different environments, equipping me for many challenges I am sure to face. 

I am now entering my fourth year here at Temple and will be studying abroad this fall on the Temple Rome campus. I am so excited!  I scheduled myself for a sketchbook class, and during the second week we will take an excursion to Tuscany. I can’t wait to sit after school and wander around Rome and take a million pictures, while drawing as much as possible. I am looking forward to studying architecture in and of Rome. A group of us plan on visiting Venice, Munich, Barcelona, Paris... and taking advantage of any other opportunity that comes along! The best part is that the $4500 dollars will not only allow me to travel, but also simply reduce the burden of money. 

My biggest influence is art; it is what drives me to be an architect, an outlet in order to express my art – so that my visions could actually have a positive impact on people’s lives.  I like painting mostly, especially watercolors and acrylics, photography, and reading.

I love to draw, sketch, do collages...anything that allows me to express my creativity.  My favorite things to do are watch movies, play softball, swim and eat!  

In addition to the Gilman Scholarship ($3500 award), Tiffany also received two other scholarships: the World Studio AIGA Scholarship ($500 award), and a Temple Rome Scholarship from the University ($500 award).