A young Robb Armstrong ’85 used to sketch out the Flintstones to the delight of his mother, who was convinced he would one day become a famous cartoonist. He’s done just that, creating and sustaining the popular comic strip JumpStart, which is syndicated in over 300 newspapers. After losing his mother to cancer, Armstrong made it a mission to succeed in life and at Syracuse University, where he majored in advertising design in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The student-run newspaper, The Daily Orange, gave him an opportunity to excel, featuring Armstrong’s strip Hector and showcasing his immense talent. Armstrong continues to lead and inspire through his cartooning, achieving the Arents Award, the University’s highest alumni honor, in 2022.
Sketching Out a Career
College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA)
Home to the visual and performing arts at Syracuse, VPA supports the creative process and professional development. The College is divided into seven areas: the School of Art; the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies; the School of Design; the Department of Drama; the Rose, Jules R. and Stanford S. Setnor School of Music; the Department of Film and Media Arts; and the Department of Creative Arts Therapy.
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Arents Award
The George Arents Award is Syracuse University’s highest alumni honor, presented annually to alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their chosen fields. The award is named for George Arents, a successful manufacturer who served on Syracuse University’s Board of Trustees from 1930 until his death in 1960. Among his many legacies to the University is a fund he endowed in 1939 to provide the Arents Award, an annual honor recognizing SU alumni for their extraordinary achievements.
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