…I moved into the Melvin L. Schottenstein Residence Hall at CCAD (Columbus College of Art & Design) in Columbus, Ohio.
At the age of 17, I moved nearly 500 miles away from home without having any clear idea of what in the hell I was actually doing. I hadn’t toured CCAD before moving in; in fact, I had never even set foot in Columbus (or Ohio, for that matter) before August 27th, 1994. To be honest, I chose CCAD because, of the three art schools I got accepted to, it was the only one offering a scholarship.
I didn’t know it at the time, but I met some amazing people that first week, including my roommate Jeremy “Jocco” Scott…
…and my suite-mates Bryan “Cesar” Loar…
…and Sanathana Kalpa “Special K” Ariyawansa.
I also met Alisha Flippert (who is now Alisha Loar, and seen here with her future husband/father of three amazing daughters)…
…Michelle Ciappa…
…Jason “McFly” Kincaid…
…and John Marshall.
I’m happy and proud to say I still consider all of these people dear friends today.
Columbus and CCAD took some getting used to. In fact, I almost moved back home after the first semester. But as it turned out, I ended up spending nearly nine years in Columbus, and without question, it was one of the greatest periods of my life.
Here’s to the next twenty,
PS: Obviously, I met many more wonderful, amazing people at CCAD in 1994, and I’m still friends with a lot of them. I just didn’t have photos of everyone from back in the day, so no offense to anyone who feels left out. Yes, I’m talking to you, Brandon Doherty!
18 comments
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August 27, 2014 at 2:41 pm
Bryan Loar
Fantastic post.
August 27, 2014 at 5:33 pm
Corey
it’s been about 20 for me too, though I had about 4 hours experience in C-bus more, I showed my portfolio @ portfolio day at Atlanta college of art & D, was accepted at ACAD, S(savannah)CAD * CCAD, Came up here for a double check – my dad worked for USAir at the time & I was of the “dependent” status so I could fly free, popped up here on the morning flight rode a bus to CCADCampus, wandered aroud a bit, wandered around downtown a bit , rode a bus back to the airport and flew home, my thought at the time was they’re all accepting me, (no scholarships… because I attended an art based community college while I decided if that was what I really wanted to do or not), I have relatives in both Savannah & Atlanta with smaller children who wouldn’t think twice about calling me on a friday or any night for that matter and ask “hey want to make $5 to babysit your cousins?”…. Hello Columbus!
August 27, 2014 at 6:29 pm
jshady
So you’re still there, Corey? I think the city has really found itself in the last decade. I love visiting now, but back in 2003, when I moved away, I was ready for something new.
August 27, 2014 at 5:56 pm
Dad
The pic of the goats reminded me when you wanted to have a pet goat and how you said that it was so funny how they ate everything you would give them. I always wondered if I would see a goat up on your roof in Columbus eating the sod / grass that you planted when I would come to visit. Ah, good times.
August 27, 2014 at 6:30 pm
jshady
YES! I still want a goat! Or maybe we’ll get a potbellied pig next!
August 27, 2017 at 8:36 am
jblatta
you have 2 kids now, it is almost the same thing.
August 27, 2014 at 6:23 pm
MOM
Wonderful pictures, wonderful memories, a wonderful tribute to the beginning of your adult life. Just one question??? How the hell is it possible that you have been out of HS for 20 years. I am not nearly old enough for that to be true .. . . Love you
August 27, 2014 at 6:30 pm
jshady
Trying to figure that out myself!
August 28, 2014 at 7:33 am
Bob Steib
Mom, you are that old! Live with it. Didn’t you find a good replacement for
a goat? With all the stories we have heard over the years of all the things
Mr. Fabulous has eaten, she sounds like a goat to me.
August 28, 2014 at 9:46 am
jshady
HAHA! Good point!
August 28, 2014 at 2:21 pm
Rawbean
I like what Bob said, and I can’t believe how young and how much hair you had 20 years ago 😉
August 28, 2014 at 3:22 pm
jshady
Yeah, you and me both, sister.
September 18, 2014 at 11:40 pm
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August 27, 2017 at 8:39 am
jblatta
The good old CCAD Scholarship got us all…as it turns out almost everyone gets one…like a coupon. But I am glad they do and I am glad I met you guys 3 years later in 1997.
August 27, 2017 at 10:37 am
jshady
Yep. The friendships I made at CCAD—and the times that came out of those friendships—made it worth every penny. And you’re right about the kids!
August 27, 2017 at 11:59 am
MOM
You look like a baby smoking a cigar
August 27, 2017 at 6:57 pm
jshady
Like this guy?