UCO Design Student Creates Edmond’s Route 66 Centennial Passport
Dec. 16, 2025
University of Central Oklahoma School of Design student Ren Hackworth, a senior graphic design major from Norman, Oklahoma, created the winning design for Edmond’s official Route 66 Centennial Passport, unveiled as part of the community’s early kickoff to the 2026 Route 66 centennial celebration.
The project was completed through InkTank, the UCO School of Design’s semi-professional design studio, where students work with real clients while building industry-ready portfolios. Under the guidance of McKenna Sanderson, M.F.A., assistant director and associate professor of graphic design, design students partnered with Visit Edmond to research, write and develop layout concepts for the commemorative passport. Hackworth’s design was ultimately selected for production.
“Partnering with UCO students made this project extra special. McKenna Sanderson was excited about our idea of having students design an Edmond Route 66 attractions passport for the Centennial,” said Jennifer Thornton, tourism director for Visit Edmond.
“The Edmond Tourism Advisory Board had the opportunity to present the project, meet with six students and select one passport design. We were inspired by how much the students learned about Edmond’s history and the fun things to do along Route 66. The passport will be an important piece as Edmond welcomes visitors from around the nation and around the world as they travel the Mother Road in 2026.”
The 30-page passport guides readers along Edmond's 13.4-mile stretch of Route 66, highlighting historic landmarks and a dozen attractions. Each stop includes a photo challenge for readers to post on social media with #EdmondOn66.
UCO is one of the locations featured in the passport with a photo challenge at Mitchell Hall Theatre and a 10% discount on UCO theatre tickets. Both Mitchell Hall Theatre and Route 66 will mark their 100th anniversaries in 2026.
A digital flip-book version of the passport is available online through Visit Edmond. Printed passports are available at Edmond City Hall and Visit Edmond.
To download the passport or for more information on Route 66's stretch through Edmond, visit visitedmondok.com.
For more information on UCO's School of Design, visit design.uco.edu.
Cutline: University of Central Oklahoma School of Design student Ren Hackworth, pictured, a senior graphic design major from Norman, Oklahoma, created the winning design for Edmond’s official Route 66 Centennial Passport, unveiled as part of the community’s early kickoff to the 2026 Route 66 centennial celebration.
