The 5,000-year-old funeral garb of Pu-abi, a queen in the Sumerian city of Ur, captivated Bella Moritz ’22 so much when she was at Roanoke College that she decided to recreate the elaborate ensemble for her art history honors thesis.
As she designed a Fintel Library installation to present her research, Moritz knew she’d found her purpose – and a path to graduate school.
Now, Moritz is wrapping up her final year at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City, where she is completing a master’s degree in the history, theory and museum practice of fashion and textile studies. She and her classmates have just opened an exhibition about the history and symbolism of the humble bow and its journey from shoelaces to the highest levels of personal style.
The exhibition, titled “Untying the Bow,” is open in the Museum at FIT through March 24.
Moritz served as the exhibition designer, envisioning how each object, from a glittering red shoe to a yellow polka-dot gown, would be presented in the gallery. She has also been called upon to give media tours of the exhibition and do radio and magazine interviews, which have helped her gain confidence in public speaking.
“Everyone thinks of bows as this super girly thing, and it’s not. It transcends time; it transcends gender,” she explained. “Bows have been used to tie things and secure things since ancient times... I've always loved the bow. Getting to explore how it is used as a formal and decorative element versus bows that function, and how it has evolved more symbolic meanings, has been a really formative and fun experience.”
Moritz decided to attend Roanoke College because of its beauty and connection to the outdoors. It didn’t hurt that her childhood pastor, Chris Bowen, is the college chaplain. At Roanoke, Moritz received Summer Scholar money and an art history grant funded by alumna Joanne Cassullo ’78, which allowed her to complete her project, “The Weight of Power: Dressing Ancient Royalty in Life and Death.”
“I know that I would not be where I am today without Roanoke,” she said. “I got so many opportunities to do hands-on, one-on-one guided research and self-guided research, and I got funding to support those projects.”
After earning her master’s, Moritz hopes to land a position doing exhibition design or garment conservation with a museum in the nation’s capital.
"I know that I would not be where I am today without Roanoke."
Bella Moritz '22
John Cornthwait ’04 received the Shine Award for Public Service from the Roanoke chapter of the American Advertising Federation at its awards gala on March 2. The Shine Award recognizes outstanding work by an individual or organization in the area of public or community service.
Cornthwait, who earned a B.A. in psychology at Roanoke College, is the president and chief operating officer for Firefli, a digital studio in Roanoke, Virginia. He was recognized for his work as an educator and for providing nonprofit and pro bono marketing services.
Cornthwait is an adjunct instructor at Virginia Tech and an adjunct assistant professor at Virginia Western Community College. In addition to teaching, he assists with student portfolio reviews, holds workshops for design students, and participates in DesignUP, an annual design-a-thon where professionals oversee students to create design work for nonprofits. He also spends time assisting the greater Roanoke arts community, including Restoration Housing, where he has served as an executive board member for more than four years, and the Roanoke Arts Commission, where he is chair of the Placemaking Committee.
“I enjoy working with John on projects related to the Roanoke Arts Commission,” said Douglas Jackson, arts and culture coordinator for the city of Roanoke, in a nomination for the award. “Our commission, and our city, is stronger because of him.”
Prior to his current role at Firefli, Cornthwait was a partner and vice president of products there. He has also worked as a web designer for Carilion Clinic and webmaster for the city of Roanoke.
Dick Wilson serenades his wife, Anne, with their favorite song, "The Nearness of You," at their 70th wedding anniversary celebration.
Dick Wilson ’52 and Anne Wilson ’55 are preparing to celebrate their 71st wedding anniversary. The couple met at Roanoke College and were married on May 30, 1953.
Last year, they celebrated their milestone 70th with a party attended by family and friends, including Dick’s Roanoke College roommate, Donn Schindler ’51, who traveled all the way from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, for the special occasion. The guest list also included the Wilsons’ five adult children, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
The Wilsons now live in a senior living facility in Alexandria, Virginia. Of their long and happy journey, Dick said, “It has been a wonderful life together.”
Do you have news to share with fellow Roanoke College alumni? Whether it's a career update or family news, we would love to hear from you! Please email us at rcmagazine@roanoke.edu.