Livingston College Memories - 1973 Graduate

We thought you'd enjoy these memories and accompanying Livingston Medium article shared by Deborah Stokes, LC '73

Dear Alumni Association,

It's been 36 years since I graduated from Livingston College - ('73) - I was so fortunate to have professors who were working (and successful!) artists, including Leon Golub (painting teacher) and Mel Edwards (sculpture) among others. I organized "Women as Artists, Artists as Women" in the Livingston University art gallery - a time when the Feminist Art Movement was happening. Names and photos attached....I've kept the newspaper clipping all these years - hope you can find a way to incorporate it into our legacy notes!

I veered from studio art to art history and currently hold the position of Curator for Education at the National Museum of African Art Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. My early college years at Livingston provided me with a network of artists, scholars, art historians, and others who launched me into the NY art world and beyond. After graduating, I spent 10 years working in the NY art world at: Pace Gallery, Marlborough Gallery, and Phillips Auctioneers before moving to Chicago where I taught African Art History at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). I later ran into Leon Golub at several museum openings, including his one-man exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. I remember him as an inspiration and also very kind - especially since my talents as a painter were limited! My classes in studio art were a great foundation for materials and techniques, and I put the knowlege to good use today as I program the art workshops at the museum. My first art history course was titled, Primitive Art, taught by George Preston and Adele Starensier. It sparked my interest in African art and later when I found unique opportunities for field research in Nigeria and Kenya. I hope to see POTUS Barack and Michelle Obama with the girls in one of my workshops at the museum soon!

Please keep me posted.

Best regards,
Deborah Stokes

Spruced Up Livingston Campus Plaza

George Jones, Dean of Students at the Livingston Campus, sent along some photos of the recent upgrades made to the plaza between Tillet and Lucy Stone Halls. This is the first step in many improvements being planned for Livingston. Stay tuned!

Our condolences to the family and friends of Riki Jacobs, who received the Livingston Distinguished Alumni Award in 2000 and did amazing work as the executive director of the Hyacinth Aids Foundation. Read more

Kaz Wright: Teacher Who Makes Magic

Congratulations to LAA Board Member and Franklin Township teacher Kaz Wright, who on
December 12 was named by WMGQ radio (Magic 98.3 FM)as a Teacher Who Makes Magic.
According to Kaz, she was nominated by her school's principal and "he interrupted
classes promptly at 9:15 am as they made the announcement on the radio."

Kaz and the other teachers selected for this honor will be recognized at an awards
banquet in the spring.  She also became a lifetime member of the
"Teachers Who Make Magic" Class.

Congratulations, Kaz!

Livingston Distinguished Alumni Awards

Join us on May 16, 2009 for the presentation of the Livingston Distinguished Alumni Awards. Those of you who read the LAA blog will have inside information on our honorees, which include Marla Diamond, Francoise Jacobsohn, Dr. Martha Nell Smith, Thomas Ellery and Kevin Apuzzio, whose memory will be honored with the presentation of the Seth Dvorin Young Alumni Award to Kevin's family.

With the construction going on at the Livingston Student Center, it looks like our home for the 2009 awards ceremony will be the Douglass Student Center. Stay tuned for more information!

Livingston Legacy Series

Plans for the Livingston Legacy Series are taking shape, with a program set for March 4, 10 or 11 featuring speakers such as Gerald Pomper, Gordon Schochet and Robert Jenkins, all of who were faculty members during very key years in Livingston's development. Tentative start time is 7 pm in Yorba Lounge, details to come.

A second program will be held Reunion Weekend 2009, where alumni will be able to report on "What I learned from Livingston." We're looking at a breakfast format for this program; also more details to come.

Reunion Weekend

The LAA is already at work on Reunion Weekend 2009, with a number of exciting events planned, including:

• Family Day
• Cabaret Night
• Distinguished Alumni Awards presentation dinner. We will be announcing the recipients shortly, and I think you will be very proud of the choices
• University-wide Reunion Weekend programs

Mark your calendars now for May 16-18, 2009 and stay tuned for more info!