Kelly Glueck-Managing Editor-
One of these former students included Chris Powers. Powers graduated from Meramec in 2006 and currently owns his own design company.
“Not only did he teach me the principals of how to approach a problem as a professional designer and to look outside the box–his lectures on the business was, and continues to be, an indispensable part of what drives me as a creative,” Powers said.
Powers still references his notes and recorded lectures from Vann’s courses. “When I have a problem, or even an ethical question, I think WWBD (What Would Bill Do).” Powers said. “He’s a fantastic role model for each of us in the field. He’s a legend and I’m truly blessed to have had him as a teacher and mentor.”
Not only could former students count on Vann, his current students still did until his death.
“People would come to him and ask for advice and he would drop everything and give them advice and do whatever he could to help students land jobs,” Groth said. “Sometimes he would have freelance jobs that he would farm out to students and say ‘here, you take this.’”
Annabel Gonzales, currently enrolled in Vann’s Illustration course this semester, said she had also helped him design a custom logo for his son’s chiropractic business.
“He hired me on a little job to do and he taught me to just be you and if people don’t like what you’ve done, they don’t like it. He taught me not to take things personal,” Gonzales said.
Student Johnathan Meyer agreed and said that Vann always stressed making things creative and that everything has potential to be a work of art. He said he was privileged to be in three of Vann’s classes.
“He was always very energetic and outgoing, and a great professor. He never stopped moving. He made sure that he got to everyone in class and helped them as much as he could,” Meyer said.“He was an overall great person to be around and a joy for a teacher.”
Students were not the only ones aware of Vann’s enthusiasm, Groth said Vann’s dedication to his students was a rarity.
“The thing about Bill was that he was never too busy for a student. He would give as much time as any student needed,” Groth said. “If he had to work hours outside of class to help a student, he would do that. He shared his professional experience with students in a way that was so giving and so selfless. It was pretty remarkable.”
Meramec instructor Bob Shay said Vann was not only a colleague but also one of his best friends. Shay said he considered Vann an influence and inspiration coining him as the “godfather of illustrators in St. Louis.”
Groth called Vann a “quiet giant in the illustration community” with major corporations as clients, including Anheuser Busch, Miller, Pepsi, Coke, NFL and MLB.
Vann was also an active figure with the St. Louis Artists’ Guild, serving as president until a few months ago. “He is one of the big reasons why the guild still exists, probably because of his passion. He gave many hours every single day to be a part of it, to keep the dream alive.” Shay said.
He has been recognized with more than 35 local and national illustration awards, but according to Shay, he was not motivated by recognition. “We realized that awards don’t really mean anything. All the awards do is get you more attention to get more work,” Shay said.
Vann will be sorely missed and will leave a hole in the community; not only at Meramec, but also in the illustration community as well, Shay said.
“You go home and you hug your kids and your loved ones and you make each day count. He did. He understood that,” Shay said.
