by Pete Rosenbery
CARBONDALE, Ill. As with many aspiring athletes, Theo Hassim’s interest in footwear and sneakers began in grade school by following what top athletes were wearing. That initial interest sparked a passion, ultimately guiding Hassim, a senior industrial design major from St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, to the 2021 Rickert-Ziebold Trust Award presented by the Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Art and Design.
“I’m very shocked and excited. I can’t stop shaking,” said Hassim, who will graduate next month. “I’m super happy to be able to have people appreciate all the work I have put in during my time at SIU and the work before that.”