College of Creative Arts

The WVU Innovation Awards recognize new and established WVU faculty, administrators or staff members for their contribution to innovation, and for their commercialization of ideas that impact and benefit the public's well-being. Faculty and staff can apply for a chance to receive $5,000 for their innovation. To learn more, check out the Innovation Award Guidelines.

Students studying for a bachelor of fine arts degree in acting in the School of Theatre & Dance presented a showcase performance in New York City on March 28. The experience is designed to help graduating students make industry contacts and create work opportunities for the future as they move into their professional careers.

Student artists, musicians, actors and dancers took center stage at the CAC on May 18, as graduates of the College received their diplomas in the same building where they worked so hard to achieve their dreams. Guest speaker Jay Chattaway, who was presented with the College Distinguished Alumnus Award, told the graduates to "love what you do!"

Carolyn "C.J." Bonde, who graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre with an emphasis in Acting, was named the Outstanding Graduating Senior in the WVU College of Creative Arts for 2013, during the Commencement ceremony.

Dance has been a part of student life at WVU for the past 84 years, and now it is a new major in the College of Creative Arts. It will be available to students in the School of Theatre & Dance beginning in the fall of 2013.

Alison Deem, of Bridgeport, W.Va., has been named Distinguished Friend of the College of Creative Arts, a special recognition given to an individual who is not an alumnus of the College, but who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment and contributions to both the College and to WVU.

The WVU College of Creative Arts presented its annual faculty awards during a ceremony at the Creative Arts Center in April. Faculty winners include: Rhonda Reymond, Joseph Lupo, Robert Klingelhoefer, Kristina Olson and Brian Plitnik.

Internationally acclaimed pianists Ann Schein and Dan Haerle will be special guests as the School of Music hosts its annual Keyboard Festival and Competition at the Creative Arts Center, June 24-28. The event will explore the many ways jazz and classical music intersect and influence each other.

Appalachian art collector Ramona Lampell has given nearly 30 pieces of her collection to WVU, as well as the rights to her book and an unfinished documentary on artists in Appalachia. She has promised other pieces in her collection to the Art Museum of WVU. Director Joyce Ice said it is "known nationally as one of the outstanding collections of its genre."

WVU Emeritus Professor of Genetics Joginder Nath is making an additional gift to the College of Creative Arts to benefit the Art Museum of WVU, which will soon be under construction adjacent to the Creative Arts Center.

Printmaking students in a class taught by Joe Lupo were able to reach out to fellow art students a half a world away when they participated in a portfolio exchange with art students at Zayed University in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, during the spring semester.

The School of Theatre & Dance is once again offering a Summer Dance Academy during the month of June. It is a week-long intensive featuring a wide array of daily classes. A new addition this year is the Teachers Academy.

The Sincell and Wagoner families of western Maryland have strong multigenerational ties with WVU that have helped them go places in life. The families are now giving back to WVU - to help current and future students find their own success - by pledging $25,000 to the College of Creative Arts to establish the Sincell-Wagoner Family Travel Endowment.

Five undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Creative Arts were named winners of the annual Faculty-Mentored Research Awards, during a ceremony in April. The students are: Ben Gazsi, Daniela Londono-Bernal, Jennifer Marcus, Vlad Basarab, and Sheila Barnhart.

The WVU Wind Symphony, conducted by John Hendricks, III, with assistant conductor Dearl J. Drury, will go on tour this spring, presenting free public concerts in Charleston, W.Va. in Charlotte, N.C.