Alumni in the News

Gloria Groom (M.A. 1978; Ph.D., Art History, 1989), chair of the Art Institute of Chicago’s European Painting and Sculpture department since 2015, received the distinction of the Chevalier Légion d’Honneur on April 29. The highest of the five levels of the French government’s Légion d’Honneur award, the French Ambassador to the United States, Gérard Araud presented the award during a private ceremony. The award honors Groom for her contributions to French art and culture.

Kathryn St. Clair (B.F.A., Studio Art, 1993) has been selected for inclusion in the upcoming Northern California Regional Art Competition, The Zeitgeist Exhibition—Capturing the Times Through Art. 

Cellist Hai Zheng (B.M. 1988; M.M., Applied Music/Voice/Piano, 1990) Assistant Professor of Music and Artist in Residence at Southwestern University, released in May her sixth CD, Remembrance on the Amatius Classics label.

Matt Huff (M.F.A., Directing, 2004) was recently promoted to associate professor with tenure at Oglethorpe University. He also is part of a creative team that received a 2016-2017 Reiser Artists Lab grant from the Alliance Theater.

Felice House (M.F.A., Studio Art, 2011) will continue her quest to broaden the portrayal of women in art with the help of a three-year, $15,000 Texas A&M Arts & Humanities Fellowship.

Rebecka Sexton (M.F.A., Studio Art, 1995) was named director of human centered design at UnitedHealth Group's Optum Innovation, Research and Development in Minneapolis.

Kyle Kennedy (M.F.A., Drama, 1993) was recently named Head of Acting at Middle Tennessee State University where he serves on the acting area advisory board for the Southeastern Theatre Conference.

The Iroquois Steeplechase selected Hollie Berry (B.F.A., Studio Art, 2009) to create its official painting for the 75th anniversary, Endurance, which reflects the iconic race and will be available for purchase in the nonprofit’s annual online auction. 

Leah Dyjak (M.F.A., Studio Art, 2015) will present the solo exhibition Coastliners at Pump Project in Austin from April 29 through May 14.

Jared Oberholtzer (B.A., Theatre and Dance, 2010) is currently the assistant stage manager on Signature Plays at the Signature Theatre, an event in celebration of the theater's 25th anniversary.