04/15/2026
Congratulations to Thomas Yurkin (BSID ’85), 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient!
The Ohio State University Department of Design is proud to recognize Thomas Yurkin, Senior Creative Director at Freeman Company, as the recipient of our 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award, presented during the Spring Exhibition Reception.
With a career spanning more than 40 years, Tom has helped shape the field of experiential and exhibition design—leading the creation of immersive brand experiences that bring people, stories, and ideas together at scale. His work bridges visual communication, industrial design, and live events, guiding projects from concept through ex*****on while keeping the human experience at the center.
As part of his visit to campus, Tom engaged directly with our community: delivering a guest lecture to Visual Communication Design students, joining Collab Studio for a Q+A, and recording an episode of our Thinking Through Design podcast. Across each setting, he shared insights on collaboration, creative leadership, and the evolving role of designers in live, experiential spaces.
We’re honored to celebrate Tom’s achievements and his continued commitment to mentoring the next generation of designers.
👉 Read the full story:
https://design.osu.edu/news/thomas-yurkin-named-2026-distinguished-alumni-award-recipient
The Department of Design at The Ohio State University is proud to recognize Thomas Yurkin (BSID ’85, Visual Communication Design) as the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. The award was presented during the Department’s Spring Exhibition Reception, honoring Yurkin’s decades‑long care...