Shepherd University Students Earn Top Honors at 2026 The Real Show Design Competition

ISSUED: 21 May 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle

SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV - Shepherd University students earned some of the highest honors at the 2026 The Real Show, a juried student design competition showcasing creative work from colleges and universities throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Graphic design student Andrew Elspas received the competition's only Best of Show Award for his packaging design project, the highest honor presented at this year's exhibition. Elspas also received a $500 scholarship. Shepherd student Benjamin Akers earned a Gold Award in the infographic category, placing him among just six Gold Award recipients selected this year.

In addition to the Best of Show and Gold honors, Shepherd students earned a Silver Award and nine Merit Awards across multiple categories.

"These awards reflect the creativity, technical skill, and dedication of our students," said Dr. Kurtis Adams, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. "To earn recognition in such a competitive field is a tremendous accomplishment for both our students and the program."

Hosted annually by the School of Art at George Mason University, The Real Show challenges student designers to solve real-world design problems in areas including branding, packaging, infographics, editorial design, and exhibition design. This year's competition received 264 entries from 19 colleges and universities, with only 95 projects selected for exhibition.

The following Shepherd University students were recognized:

Best of Show

• Andrew Elspas - Packaging

Gold Award

• Benjamin Akers - Infographic

Silver Award

• Sofia Bishop - Packaging

Merit Awards

• Benjamin Akers - Exhibition Design

• Jacob Burns - Packaging

• Kevin DeBell - Packaging

• Katelynn Evans - Exhibition Design

• Katelynn Evans - Packaging

• Kaylyn Jenkins - Packaging

• Garrett Lister - Packaging

• Evelyn Nyce - Packaging

• Alivea Williams - Infographic

The awards highlight Shepherd's continued success in preparing students for careers in graphic design, visual communication, and related creative fields. By tackling real-world design challenges and developing professional-quality portfolios, Shepherd students gain the skills and experience needed to succeed in the creative industries.

To learn more about Shepherd University's graphic design program, visit https://www.shepherd.edu/art/graphic-design.

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