NEWS

The VISTA (Visual Integration of Science Through Art) Center at Louisiana Tech University celebrated a decade of innovation and student achievement earlier this month with its annual Scholarship and Award Celebration, marking the occasion with the launch of Louisiana’s first interdisciplinary degree program in scientific communication.

The new Bachelor of Science in Scientific Visual Communication, approved by the University of Louisiana System in December and the Louisiana Board of regents, is set to launch in fall 2025. It will prepare students to enter careers in medical illustration, scientific visualization, biomedical animation, and digital communication. The program builds on the center’s successful minors in pre-medical illustration and scientific visualization and is designed for students who want to bridge the gap between science and art.

“Over the years, we’ve seen many students come to Louisiana Tech with a passion and talent for art who think they have to give it up to pursue a career in science or medicine,” said Dr. Jamie Newman, associate director of the VISTA Center. “This new degree program not only solidifies a curriculum for these students, it also offers a concentration for premedical and predental students, making it that much easier for them to balance their commitment to both art and science.”

This year’s scholarship and awards event featured student showcases, faculty-led tours of the VISTA Labs, and interactive exhibits highlighting the center’s work, from anatomical illustrations and immersive digital models to educational tools used across Louisiana. Attendees included alumni, local educators, nonprofit leaders, and industry partners.

Among the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the Dr. Joseph and Charlotte Barron Endowed Scholarship to Kaylee Davis for excellence in scientific illustration. The newly established Jeanette and Justin Hinckley VISTA Scholarship, funded by Louisiana Tech alumni, was awarded to Teagen Griffin for outstanding work in digital painting and client-based collaborations.

“This event was a vibrant celebration of the VISTA Center’s growth and impact,” said Professor Nick Bustamante, director of the VISTA Center. “It brought together university leadership, alumni, faculty, community partners, student clients, and mentors, each of whom plays a vital role in our journey. It was especially meaningful to see our talented students proudly showcase their scientific illustrations and design work. The evening truly captured the spirit of collaboration, creativity and community that defines the center’s mission.”

“I’m incredibly proud of the scholarships awarded to our students,” said Tom Futrell, director of design for the VISTA Center. “The support from our community has been truly inspiring. These students are blending science and art in ways that are not only creative but also deeply practical, opening doors to careers in scientific illustration, research-driven information design, and more. Projects like the Greenway interpretive signage show just how powerful it can be when data and design come together to tell stories everyone can understand.”

VISTA students have already made a significant impact across Louisiana and beyond. Recent projects include:

• A full redesign of the History of Flight exhibit at Sci-Port Discovery Center in Shreveport, incorporating dynamic visuals and interactive storytelling.
• An illustrated children’s book for MedCamps of Louisiana to help young campers feel welcomed and confident.
• Interpretive signage along Ruston’s Rock Island Greenway that blends ecological data with engaging design to connect the public with local biodiversity and history.

The VISTA Center continues to seek new community partners, project collaborators, and scholarship supporters to help expand student opportunities and increase its statewide reach.

For more information contact the VISTA Center at vista@latech.edu.