Animating Life: Tom Schroeder's Remarkable Career at MCAD

Tom Schroeder first joined MCAD as an adjunct faculty member in 1998 and became a full-time (pro-rata) faculty member in the Media Arts department in 2003. Drawing from his experience directing independent films and commercials, he has had an integral role in developing and expanding MCAD’s Animation program over the last two decades. Tom will be retiring from MCAD at the end of the 2020/21 academic year.

Tom initially taught Introduction to Animation, Advanced Animation, and History of Animation. As part of a major curricular revision in 2015, he developed the courses 2D Digital Animation and Experimental Animation. In 2006, he saw the need for another professional practice experience at MCAD and created the Animation Collaboration class, in which students collaborate like a small studio to execute client-based work. Students from this class have created content for clients as wide ranging as Mall of America, Microgigantic, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, SyFy Channel, Nickelodeon, and Motown Records. In a particularly demanding project, the students worked with TPT public television in 2012 to provide animation for a documentary commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Dakota Massacre. Tom has also taught independent studies and served as an MFA mentor, as well as inviting numerous visiting animation artists to MCAD, such as Paul DeMeyer, Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby, Paul Fierlinger, Ruth Lingford, and Rosto.

Tom’s films have been broadcast on Independent Lens, the Sundance Channel, Canal+ in France and Spain, SBS in Australia, CBC in Canada, and Pacific Voice in Japan. The films have also played widely on the international festival circuit, including multiple screenings at Annecy, Rotterdam, Sundance, Ottawa, and South by Southwest, and have won over forty festival awards. Retrospective programs of Schroeder’s animated shorts have screened recently in Seoul and Melbourne. He received Minnesota State Arts Board Grants in 1991,1999, 2006, 2014, and 2019; Jerome Film and Video Grants in 2000 and 2004; McKnight Fellowships in 2006, 2011, and 2015; Bush Fellowships in 1997 and 2008; and a Rooftop Filmmakers Grant in 2013. He has directed commercials for Kashi, Samsung, and Hertz Car Rental through Klasky Csupo in Los Angeles and is currently represented as a director by Global Mechanic, Vancouver, Canada.

Below is a collection of tributes from colleagues, students, and friends, celebrating Tom’s remarkable career and his lasting contributions to MCAD.

Lily Berg

The first time I had Tom was for experimental animation my junior year. It was one of the first classes I had where I felt I could really explore who I am as an animator. He provided great emotional support and really helped kick my ass into gear when it came to getting better at animating. I wouldn't be at the level I'm at without his help. Have a great retirement!

Arlene Birt

Tom has always been game for a little impromptu vlaams practice. Goede reis op jouw volgende advonture, Tom! Ik zal onze korte conversaties vermissen.

Michelle Brost

In 2012, I was a senior animation student at MCAD. Tom suggested an edit to my thesis film. I was working on a scene in which a lumberjack was scolding an owl for being impatient. Tom thought the lumberjack should have said, "I could crush you like a loaf of bread." I laughed at the absurdity, but I didn't add the line. As the years have passed and I've grown further from the project, it is one of my greatest regrets that I didn't add that crucial piece of dialogue. Tom still sees it as a missed opportunity and is never afraid to remind me of that. He showed students what it was like to be an independent animator, and I'm not sure I would have chosen the path if it weren't for his example (for better or worse). It goes beyond just "being an animator" and more as a way of living a life. Tom is a core figure at the heart of the animation program at MCAD, and he will certainly be greatly missed.

Jonathan Campbell

In the week or two that I had Tom as a teacher, my friends and I were trying to think of a nice, naturey place to go on a walk after class. Tom overheard us and recommended a place. I don't remember the name of the place anymore, but it was beautiful and woodsy. When we next saw Tom, the first thing he said was "Good, you all survived." He told us he was worried that we would go missing because of his suggestion! He was almost certainly joking, but it was a good icebreaker. It was one of the nicest walks I had ever been on. Thanks, Tom.

Andrew Chesworth

Tom Schroeder left an indelible mark on my creative life. As a young college student, he opened my eyes to aspects of animation that I hadn't considered previously. He inspired our Intro to Animation class with films and ways of thinking not immediate to our prior experiences. He gave me my first gainful employment as a freelance animator when I was 19 years old and was looking for an early foothold in this career path I'd chosen. He validated that passion and was a delight to work with.

I have incredibly fond memories of Tom nurturing all of the diverse talents and mindsets of my peers. On top of being a wonderful storyteller, Tom's great gift is his ability to care for and empathize with others on their own terms. He helped so many of us succeed and become the people and creators we wanted to be.

Here's to Tom, and his extraordinary chapter enriching lives at MCAD.

Adina Cohen

I will never forget your words of encouragement in the senior thesis class when you told me I shouldn't give up—that I had an interesting voice in the animation world and I should keep making my short films. I go back to those memories when I'm feeling overwhelmed or unsure of myself and it keeps me going. Thank You.

Adam Dargan

Tom's Experimental Animation class opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me. Tom's guidance and support over the years have made me a better artist, thinker, and creator.

Gretchen Gasterland-Gustafsson

I really enjoyed working with Professor Schroeder on the Off-Campus Studies committee. He showed his dedication to our students and their interest in broadening their horizons through international study with his careful attention to their proposals and his always kind attendance to their interviews, including his incisive questions and suggestions. I had the privilege of seeing some of his animation work at the last showing in Auditorium 150. It served to broaden my own horizons regarding the kinds of work that animation can do. Thank you for your years of service, you will be missed, but I look forward to seeing more of your creative work in the future!

Shannon Gilley

Tom, you've done so much for the school in your years here, and your wisdom and perspective have always been valuable. You are a kind soul, have a wonderfully dry wit, and have always been a champion for the students and the program. It's been my pleasure to work with you in these few short years, and I wish you a blissful retirement!

Chris Gruszka

I had the honor of having Tom as one of the people interviewing me for my first teaching experience at MCAD. Tom has a way of putting people at ease and I credit him for a lot of what I try to do as an educator. Wonderful artist and a great person! Enjoy retirement and create lots of cool stuff! Best!

Marcie LaCerte

I mean, how can you encapsulate Tom in just a few words? He’s one of the most idiosyncratic and inspiring people I’ve ever met—always true to himself and to his work, and as a young student with a burgeoning interest in “weird” animation, I knew I had to latch onto him. And I wasn’t the only one. He carved out time and energy for students, looking at our work within the context of who we were, respecting our individual goals and aesthetics and creative visions. He liked when we were weird, but also honest. He was never pretentious (which is a rarity in art school!). And his work is wonderful—his film about his deceased friend and collaborator is one of my favorite independent films, ever.

I have many funny and strange stories with Tom, even though I only had a handful of classes with him. Once, Tom found out that I’d gotten a film into a festival, and he genuinely asked me why I wasn’t skipping his class to go to it. Another time, he called on me in class and then blanked on my name, and then he just totally moved on, no regrets. (He remembered later.) A few weeks later at graduation, he went up to my parents unprompted and said that I was a “very strange person” who would probably “struggle for a bit after graduation because her work is weird” (all true).

The most important thing Tom taught me is to be true to my instincts. I think about this simple bit of advice literally every day—it changed my life. So, it’s a bittersweet thing to learn that one of your favorite teachers ever is retiring, but it’s well deserved, and I very much look forward to seeing more of Tom’s “weird films” <3

Dan Lundquist

As I went to MCAD all those years ago I had no real idea. No idea about where I was going or what I was doing or who I was. Lost in my own insecurity I choose to go to MCAD and to major in animation as my father had done years before me. It seemed the safest easiest route to a four-year degree, which everyone needs. About 2 years in I felt even more lost and a lot more insecure. My peers around me were much more talented, advanced, and confident. I was being left behind. As I considered quitting and moving on in a different direction I had a conversation with my advisor Tom Schroeder and he gave me words of encouragement to keep on animating not looking at the other more talented people around me but to find my own style and direction. It was with these words and many more thereafter that pushed me through my time at MCAD. A very exciting and rewarding time for me to find a way. Tom has been a great professor, advisor, collaborator, and friend. His teaching and advice has stuck with me through the years. I have always wanted to throw a chair and with his encouragement maybe one day I can. Thank you Tom—you were the best teacher and advisor. Wishing you all the best for your days ahead! Best wishes from Austria, Dan Lundquist

Ellen Mueller

This is a photo from a meeting with MFA Student Yinyin Niu.

Katie Nelson

Tom, it has been quite the journey! You have left a lasting impression on me, and I am thankful for everything you have taught me. I will miss your passion, encouragement, and support. I have many fond memories of you riding into the office on your bike, with a smile on your face and a cup of tea! Congratulations and to the many adventures ahead!

Stevie Rexroth

Tom has been a selector of the MA Vanderlip juror for years, often choosing folks from a variety of backgrounds including a neuroscientist. This year, after watching the documentary, Jane Fonda in Five Acts, he was certain that Jane Fonda should be the choice for the Vanderlip juror this spring. The video was sent to Ms. Fonda's reps.

Spencer S

Tom's advice to abandon society and embrace a survivalist lifestyle in the wilderness in order to prepare for the end times has borne significant fruit.

Rebekkah Schultz

One of the most prominent memories I have of Tom is when I was in his Experimental Animation class and he learned what the word "yeet" meant. He wondered if he could use the word to describe throwing something in the trash on his computer. He felt bad that people laughed every time he tried using the word "yeet," so I would like him to know that he has earned every right to use the word "yeet" unironically as far as I'm concerned. Thank you for all of the insight, knowledge, hard work, and joy you have brought to MCAD, Tom!

Craig Rice

Since I have been at MCAD Tom has been a mentor along with other faculty members in guiding me in the art teaching practice. I have always been impressed by his commitment to different mediums of art, film, music, and animation. This along with his writing and sense of humor makes him a total artist and me a fan.

Devon Smith

Kristin Solid

Thank you, Tom, for everything you’ve done to help grow the 2D animation track into the force that it is today. Your perspective and storytelling sense will be greatly missed by all.

Whether it is in junior review student critiques or faculty meetings, your guidance on upholding the MCAD mission has been invaluable. You helped me acclimate to MCAD in ways that caused me to grow into a better teacher and artist. I have missed our office hours and hallway chats. You have been a constant source of advice and inspiration.

Best of luck in your next adventure and I look forward to hearing all about it!

Alec Sullivan

Tom Schroeder is my academic advisor, so he helped me out with signing up for classes. I don't think I ever met him in person, but he was a great help. He suggested I should look for an internship for the Mayo Clinic's marketing department since I live in Rochester. It's a really good suggestion since it would help me get around the competition for internships in the Twin Cities.

Ethan Sullivan

I'm upset to hear Tom Schroeder's leaving before I even get to meet him in person. I had him as a teacher for the first time just this semester in his animation history class. The class would definitely not be the same without him. His many many years in the animation community and his ability to present such a wide array of cartoons benefited us students so much! I've never had a teacher that had been able to say they met and knew the people that were included in their curriculum. Tom inset a strong feeling in me about how many stories and mediums can be adapted and made into animation and I'm glad I took his class in preparation for my upcoming senior project.

Ema Thoen

Tom Schroeder is amazing.

Kiana Tucker

I have only had Tom for one class but I was fortunate enough to have him for his final semester here! Although we have not met on campus due to covid and our classes have been asynchronous, Tom had still made the best of the situation. Being in his history of animation class was so fun and it was always nice seeing his responses to our own discussions about the films we had watched. I thank him for introducing me and many others to animated films that we had never seen or even heard of before. Tom inspires me to see the art in every animated film, even if it is something that we oftentimes tend to take for granted or to overlook.

Katherine Turczan

Tom! We will miss you. Your eloquence, humor, and caring for our students has made working with you at MCAD a real delight! Don't be a stranger.