By Cecil Giltz

Lifetimes staff writer

Twenty-five years of instruction and experience in garment construction and marketing at Kent State University's Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising have graduated several designers and merchandisers who have reached six-figure monetary goals and beyond.

One such alumnus whose good fortune led him to create a senior design student scholarship based on his lifetime endowment is Stephen Whitney Baum of Stelar III contemporary men's design line. After witnessing "Portfolio 2008, Silver Anniversary," the 1994 graduate observed, "I have seen such growth in the Fashion School program over the years, but this year's growth exemplifies leaps and bounds in construction, color awareness, silhouette as well as marketability -- all key components to make a collection profitable and marketable."

Dr. Geneva Damron, in whose honor the Portfolio show was dedicated, followed her memories back to the school's visionaries, Rodgers and Silverman, when she first met them in New York City. "I was grateful for the opportunity I had to know Jerry and Shannon personally, and be able to interact and talk about their vision of what was going to happen at Kent State as a result of them donating their acquisitions. They were such an inspiration," she said.

Dr. Elizabeth Rhodes, director of the Fashion School referenced the recent incorporations between fashion and technology, such as liquid crystals. Wearable art, from ultra violet sensitive T-shirts to jewelry that changes colors in the sunlight, adorned the models and their garments during "Portfolio 2008: Metamorphosis."

Hall of Fame inductee Michael Weiss, chief executive officer of Express, recognized as a fashion industry leader with a connection to education and to the school, took notice of the techno fashion trends. He thanked the school for including him in the Hall of Fame, reminding the audience that one never reaches the point when encouragement is not appreciated.

Referred to as the "magic makers," Dr. Derek Damron and Dr. James Blank showcased technology for medical research into fun three-dimensional fashion viewing.

Elizabeth Davic, the only faculty member who has been with the school since its inception, was recognized for 25 years of dedication and service, as she embarks on her retirement. Dr. Catherine Leslie was recognized as she becomes part of the tenured faculty of the school.

In celebration of the school's 25th anniversary, both the Portfolio critics were KSU alumni, Meghan Brown of Abercrombie and Fitch, and Tad Boetcher, design director of Due per Due and designer of his own newly launched line, "tad-b," available soon at Dillard's. The designer of the year for overall best of show collection, voted upon by the design critics, was awarded to Shelly Tiffany. She won a computerized Designer SE sewing and embroidery machine.

The senior design students' Portfolio Show highlighted collections from activewear to bridal and children'swear to menswear.