» Diesel Sweeties creator Rich Stevens is interviewed by Newsarama about his strip and the difference between his online and syndicated work.

» Charles Brubaker has discovered YouTube video of Ford commercials designed by Dr. Seuss.

» Mark Anderson’s book “Rub My Tummy and It’s a Deal” is no available on Amazon. Go get it!

» Mark Anderson, yes the same one as mentioned above, has created a Facebook app to deliver his ‘toons through Facebook.

» Mike Rhode has a wrap up of an unique cartooning moment at the New York Times as one of their reporters covered the North Carolina presidential primary - in cartoon form.

The National Cartoonists Society Foundation (NCSF) announced the winner of the first annual Jay Kennedy Memorial Scholarship, Juana Medina, a sophomore at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Medina edged out almost two hundred applicants for the award, which includes a $5,000.00 scholarship and a trip to the National Cartoonists Society’s Reuben Award convention. She was chosen by a jury of ten of the nation’s top cartoonists.

Juana Medina was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia. She completed high school in 1998 then moved to the U.S.A. where she has lived since. For two years, she studied at the Corcoran College of Art + Design in Washington, D.C. and is now majoring in Graphic Design at RISD. She is a regular contributor to the College Hill Independent, a weekly magazine produced by students at Brown University and RISD. Her work has appeared in publications in South America and has been part of collective exhibitions in Colombia and Mexico.

In her application for the award, Medina wrote: “I grew up in a country where war has been a constant since long before I was born. Our voices have been quieted by terrorist acts and constant threats from both governmental and clandestine groups, up to a point where the smell of gunpowder and the countless bomb threats became a part of our daily life … I found situations where there is little I can do to change reality, but I have found in cartooning a voice that strongly reflects my feelings and intentions. I have found a way to raise consciousness without scolding, fuming or losing my stomach to an ulcer.”

Medina will receive her award and meet the professional cartoonists who selected her at the National Cartoonists Society’s Annual Reuben Awards banquet in New Orleans on May 24th.

Sam is a Junior studying English and Political Science. He was a runner up to last year’s award. He’ll be honored at this year’s AAEC convention in San Antonio, TX June 25-28.

Tom Richmond, who attended the college’s Annual Partners in Scholarship Luncheon where he met the two, writes:

These young adults are very talented and were truly grateful for the scholarship awards the NCSF provided. In some cases it allowed a continuation of their education that otherwise would not have been financially possible. It was great to see the direct results of the scholarship money first hand, and I had a pleasant lunch chatting with Evan and Christina about last year of school and their future plans.

The NCSF’s scholarship program has changed a little (it’s no longer tied to a single school) but is fulfilling the same function this year and in future years with the Jay Kennedy Scholarship as well as some other awards that are available. The NCSF needs both applicants and, more importantly, continued donations to help more students like Evan and Christina fulfill their dreams of completing college and embarking on a career in cartooning. Visit the NCSF scholarship page for the address to send donations, and look for that to be updated soon with info on next year’s application requirements and deadline.

Alice Gast, Leigh University’s president wrote:

The cartoon captioned Map for a Successful St. Patrick’s Day that appeared in the March 18, 2008 Brown and White was offensive and disappointing to me. A cartoon is a form of expression intended for humor or commentary, but it also has the capacity, like other forms of expression, to be deeply offensive when it employs hurtful stereotypes. Stereotypes based on ethnicity, religion, race, gender, sexual preference, or any other personal characteristic are rooted in ignorance and prejudice.

I was encouraged to see that our campus quickly and strongly voiced its collective expectations about the kind of community we want at Lehigh. The Brown and White editorial board rightly responded promptly and apologized to the Lehigh community in its online edition. The student cartoonist has also personally apologized in an open letter in the Brown and White. I believe these apologies are sincere and, while they do not erase the cartoon or the hurt it caused, are steps in the right direction. I applaud the Brown and White for taking responsibility for its actions.

University spokeswoman Y. Sarah Cooke, declined to say whether disciplinary action was taken against the student, citing federal privacy laws.

Finalist for the award include Isaac Klunk of Savannah College of Art and Design, and Bill Richards, University of Georgia.

The winner will be announced March 7 and the cash prizes will be awarded at the National Press Club dinner on April 18th.

Today is the last day to apply for the Jay Kennedy Memorial Scholarship.

The other award is the The Jay Kennedy Memorial Scholarship for any college student in the U.S., Canada or Mexico. Students do not have to be an art major to win. The deadline for application is January 31st. More information can be had over the National Cartoonists Society Foundation web site.