Student Experience: Anthony Rusty Stogner

“My high school in Red Oak had some pretty good basic technology, so I already knew I was interested in computer graphics. I loved my experience at Dallas College — I had nothing but great teachers and courses there. I did struggle with math, and Dr. Mohamed Aziz was a huge help there at making it understandable. 

“I got a great background in graphic design in the Computer Graphics program — from Photoshop to 3-D design to Web-based knowledge. I want to go into video game design, 3-D modeling and animation. 

“Bill Crawford advised me to also get a foundation in painting and drawing, which is one of the main reasons I’m getting a Bachelor of Fine Arts now, for the traditional fine arts aspects of painting and drawing. I’m finding that all art really builds on itself, whether it’s fine art or computer art. 

“Bill Crawford is awesome; I call him my Jedi master. He doesn’t just teach you; he goes the extra three miles to look into what more you can do with your talents and education. His advice has kept me very motivated. Another good thing about Bill is that he stays in touch with people in the industry, so he has a lot of job contacts for those of us just getting out of school and looking for a job. After I graduate with my bachelor’s degree, hopefully, I’ll also have more work in my portfolio to add to my résumé, and it will help me get my foot in the door in the game design industry. I’ll look for internships in the summer, or begin at a low-level job like object modeling.”

Rusty Stogner, currently working toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas-Pan American in McAllen, earned an associate degree in Computer Graphics in 2006.

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