With Loyola University Chicago’s Weekend of Excellence behind us, it is with great pride and joy that I write that all of Loyola’s full-time faculty members have won excellence awards, along with senior dance major, Kelsee Simons, and student organization, The Dance Company. Further details on the awards can be found towards the bottom of this post.
As students and dancers, the members of LDT would like to thank Sandra Kaufmann, Sarah Cullen Fuller and Amy Wilkinson—and the rest of the dance faculty—for their dedication to dance at Loyola.
Without Kaufmann, there would be no dance program and no Loyola Dance Theatre. Because of Kaufmann’s work on the curriculum and mission of the dance program, the growing number of dance majors are able to double major while receiving conservatory-level training. Every day we are inspired by her artistic spirit and quest for knowledge and academic discovery.
Cullen Fuller and Wilkinson volunteer their time, effort and energy constantly throughout the year to provide LDT with as many performance opportunities as possible. This year alone, Cullen Fuller piloted the senior dance showcase—guiding graduating seniors through finding professional choreographers to set solos on them, choreographing a group piece, and guiding the production of the performances.
Wilkinson most recently choreographed a piece in collaboration with the University Chorale and the Institute of Environmental Sustainability that was performed at Loyola’s annual Climate Change Conference.
Members of LDT have participated in a dance-research project in Vietnam, In/Motion (Loyola’s Dance Film Festival), collaborative performances at LUMA and numerous professional workshops outside of Loyola’s campus, most recently including a Crystal Pite choreographic workshop hosted by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.
All three full-time faculty members live the values of a Jesuit education through their dedication to their students inside and outside of class, their emphasis on the Jesuit value of cura personalis in their approaches to teaching class, and their constant challenges for us to excel—not only as students but also as professionals entering the arts community. For Cullen Fuller, Kaufmann and Wilkinson, dance is more than an athletic pastime: it is an art form, road to knowledge and scholarship, and means of communication.
We as dance majors and members of LDT have been and are being transformed by our experience at Loyola. With the opportunity to interact with Cullen Fuller, Kaufmann and Wilkinson almost every day of our undergraduate education, we are growing as individuals with a passion for dance as a vessel for communication and education and as a means to spread social justice and Jesuit values.
For all the work that the three of you put into this dance program and for all of the time that you have volunteered to provide us with the best dance education possible, we say: Thank you.
The awards:
Sujak Award for Teaching Excellence: Sandra Kaufmann
Every year the Edwin T. and Vivijeanne F. Sujak Award for Teaching Excellence is given to two faculty members within the College of Arts and Sciences. According to Loyola’s website, recipients of the award “embody the Jesuit ideal of higher education in their dedication to high standards, to critical thinking, and to the principle that knowledge must be put to the benefit of humanity.” Kaufmann was first nominated by students and then underwent a two-step process that involved submitting coursework information, including all evaluations, and writing and submitting a teaching philosophy.
Faculty Member of the Year Award: Sandra Kaufmann
This award is given to one faculty member every year. The recipient of the award is determined by student nominations.
Transformative Education Award: Sarah Cullen Fuller
This award was one of eight presented by the Department of Student Diversity and Multicultural affairs. According to SDMA, the recipient of the Transformative Education Award goes “beyond their administrative role to address the needs and concerns of underrepresented students” and “provides students with the opportunities to explore issues regarding diversity, identity development, multicultural education, social justice, and leadership initiatives.” Cullen Fuller was first nominated by faculty, staff and students. A committee of eight narrowed down the nominees to one recipient.
Langerbeck Award for Undergraduate Research Mentoring: Amy Wilkinson
LUROP grants this award to two faculty research mentors every year following the Undergraduate Research Symposium. The Langerbeck Award recognizes faculty mentors who contribute “significant time and effort to the intellectual, ethical, and academic development of Loyola’s undergraduate researchers,” according Loyola’s website. Recipients are chosen through student nominations and the recipient receives $2000 to support further undergraduate research endeavors.
Outstanding Loyola Undergraduate Research Award: Kelsee Simons
Every year at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, LUROP grants this award to multiple Loyola Undergraduates. The recipients chosen “conduct exceptional research, articulate their research to others, and enhance Loyola’s reputation as a quality research university by integrating research into their academic learning experience” according to Loyola’s website. Simons was first nominated through a letter written by her research mentor, Amy Wilkinson. Then Kelsee submitted a research statement and an oral presentation to the Research Symposium.
Damen Student Organization Award: The Dance Company (TDC)
TDC is a student organization that although is not explicitly a part of Loyola Dance Theatre, is comprised of many dance majors, along with minors and students who dance recreationally. The Damen Student Organization Award was granted to two organizations (including TDC) this year. According to Loyola’s website, recipients are chosen that “have been a true source of inspiration and leadership to the Loyola community by committing themselves to Jesuit ideals.” Students, staff, faculty, administrators and community members nominate recipients. Undergraduate students choose finalists.
Photo credits: courtesy of Sandra Kaufmann Becky Muellauer, Kelsee Simons