Danae Navarette (BA Design, UC Davis, 2023) narrates a video about the process of developing and implementing the Ola Lorens Memorial Travel Scholarship (OLMTS) with slides from her Summer 2023 journey to Fez (Fès, Morocco, North Africa). 

The OLMTS is offered in memory of Design major Ola (Alexandra) Lorens (1991-2014) through the generous gifts of Patrick and Ewa Lorens Kinney, Molly Kinney and family, and Ann and Mike Savageau.

Ola once said that she “came alive” when she took her first design class at UC Davis. She brought a playful and distinct vision to her work in all areas of design. Her inventive style of drawing embodied a curious and humor-filled approach to creation that Ola hoped might someday be fulfilled with work as a maker of children’s books. Spurred by a deep desire to experience foreign cultures and new environments she dreamed of overseas travel as a way to forge direct connections with others in an unmediated way. After graduation, Ola embarked on a European journey that led to her successfully landing a design internship in Amsterdam. Although her life ended tragically early in an automobile accident, she left an indelible impression on those of us who knew her and worked with her in the Department of Design at UC Davis. This travel award celebrates Ola and her fearless example as a person and a designer.