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MILLIGAN— Milligan University senior Adam Bengtson, of Crystal Lake, Illinois, became the university’s first graphic design student to earn a District Seven Silver ADDY from the American Advertising Awards student competition for his package design “Portfolio Leave-Behind.”

To compete at the district-level, Bengtson first won a Gold ADDY at the local level, in addition to a Judge’s Choice award, in the Sales and Marketing/Product category at the 2025 American Advertising Awards hosted by the American Advertising Federation – Northeast Tennessee (AAF NETN).

By winning a Gold ADDY, Bengtson’s work advanced to the AAF District Seven competition where his work was judged against winners from colleges across Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

He is the second Milligan student to earn a district-level ADDY award ever, following alumnus Taylor Williams’ Silver ADDY for cinematography in 2021.

“I’m thrilled that Adam’s work was recognized by the district seven judges,” said Art Brown, associate professor of graphic design. “His work is an excellent example of how creativity, visual communication and good craftsmanship can come together into an engaging, memorable design. I’m also proud to see Milligan University on the winners list alongside prominent universities and design schools across five states.”

At the AAF NETN awards this March, Bengtson was joined by Milligan students Marnie Tallon of Houston, Texas, and André Bazzana Semensato, of São Paulo, Brazil, in earning ADDY awards.

Tallon earned a Silver ADDY for her work, “Double Emergence,” in the Illustration category. Bazzana Semensato was awarded a Silver ADDY and a Judge’s Choice award for “Monstera” in the Typeface Design category.

Only three Judge’s Choice awards are given each year at the AAF NETN ceremony, and Milligan’s students earned two. For the Judge’s Choice awards, the three judges for the competition each select their favorite entry from the entire competition.

“Our students’ works connected so much with the judges in the competition this year,” shared Brown. “That not only speaks to their talent but also reflects the strength of our graphic design program at Milligan. It’s rewarding to see our students recognized for their creative work at the ceremony among business leaders in our local advertising and creative community.”

The American Advertising Awards honor the best and most creative advertising work from students and professionals in advertising. As one of the industry’s largest creative competitions, nearly 35,000 professionals and students enter the American Advertising Awards competition each year.

Milligan offers an array of academic programs in the performing, visual and communicative arts. For more information, visit www.milligan.edu/PVC.