Issue 5 / Fall 2013GIVE. INSPIRE. CREATE.

MOMENTIN THE

A N E W S L E T T E R F O R D O N O R S A N D F R I E N D S O F C O L U M B I A C O L L E G E C H I C A G O

Welcome to the fifth edition of IN THE MOMENT, a newsletter showcasing the incredible philanthropic spirit of the Columbia College Chicago community.

As we enter the new academic year, we are proud to welcome thousands of talented new students on to campus. The dreams they chose to follow have led them to Columbia, where they will grow as leaders in the arts. As a vital part of this artistic community, it is our responsibility to support their pursuit of a world-class education

in the visual, performing, media, and communication arts.

This newsletter is not just a look back at your generous investment in our community, but also a look forward to the ongoing efforts of you, our supporters. We are excited to share these stories with you and hope you will enjoy discovering the difference your support is making in Chicago’s South Loop and beyond. Thank you.

Cover: Mordine & CoMpany danCe TheaTer, phoTo by WilliaM Frederking

In 1969, Shirley Mordine founded The Dance Center and shortly after, in 1973, launched the first presenting series in order to expose both students and Chicago’s public to the work of professional artists. Now entering its 40th season, The Dance Center has become Chicago’s leading presenter of local, regional, national, and international contemporary dance. Describing the upcoming season, Phil Reynolds, Executive Director of The Dance Center, said, “Our 40th Season involves a mix of artists who have graced our stages repeatedly over the last four decades and also some newer voices from Chicago, the United States, and around the world.”

An essential component of The Dance Center’s programming is educating Columbia students by providing them with access to visiting artists. Many of the dance companies performing on The Dance Center’s stage participate in week- long educational residencies, during which they offer master classes in technique, composition, and choreography. Speaking about the impact of the residencies, Maggie Bouffard (’13), a senior in the Dance program, said, “I have had the chance to not only take classes with these artists, but also to learn about their creative process and make a personal connection with them. These experiences have helped shape me into a blossoming creative dancer and provided a first-hand look at dance as a professional career.”

Visiting artists also sit in on some of the College’s own lecture classes in order to provide a holistic and immersive experience for the students. Phil Reynolds explained that, “The dancers will come into a class and our students say, ‘Wow, I see

what I need to aspire to…they are awesome.’” Having benefitted from the networking opportuni-ties and support offered by The Dance Center, many Columbia alumni go on to become profes-sional dancers or even form dance companies in Chicago and further afield.

Many of this season’s artists also participate in The Dance Center’s DanceMakers classes. These movement classes are open to Columbia students as well as professional and pre-profes-sional dancers. Discussions with the artists follow many performances, and some programs feature pre-performance talks with artists and Dance Center personnel or guest lecturers. Onye Ozuzu, Chair of the Dance Department, said, “The partnership between artists at the leading edge of their profession with our diverse and liberal arts-oriented Dance education offers our students an unparalleled learning pallet.”

The Dance Center does not just pride itself on its formal programming; it also strives to engage the wider community. This year, the FamilyDance Matinee Series is kicking off its 15th season, featuring special one-hour, family-oriented performances preceded by free parent/child movement workshops with the artists. Visiting companies also provide in-school and community-based workshops, professional development workshops for educators and social service providers, and conduct panel discussions. The Dance Center also has long-standing relation-ships with local high school dance programs and a wide range of community-based partners in Chicago, offering them access to master classes and other opportunities with these companies.

Now is an exciting time for The Dance Center as it heads into its fifth decade. With a commitment to international work and a young and ethnically diverse audience The Center is poised for many more years presenting the best in contemporary dance.

The Dance cenTer celebraTes 40 Years aT The ForeFronT oF conTemporarY Dance

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phoTo: raphael Xavier

Fall 2013 Season opener—Susan Marshall & Company with a world premiere of Play/Pause

Dance Center Founder Shirley Mordine’s Mordine & Company Dance Theater

A double bill featuring Chicago companies Same Planet Different World Dance Theatre and Peter Carpenter Performance Project

Bill T. Jones/arnie Zane Dance Company featuring Jones on stage

SPRINg 2014 A double bill of Chicago dance companies Khecari and The Humans

Back-to-back hip hop performance series by Compagnie Käfig and Raphael Xavier

Asia’s leading contemporary dance company Cloud gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, co-presented with the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University and The Joffrey Ballet at the Auditorium

Reggie Wilson/Fist & Heel Performance group performing a work co-commissioned by The Dance Center.

years at the forefront of contemporary dance

“The most successful residencies are the ones that result in reciprocity —not only do our students gain something, but the artists learn too.”

—Phil Reynolds, Executive Director of the Dance Center

• Subscriptions and single tickets are on sale now.

• All performances (except Cloud Gate) take place at The Dance Center, 1306 S. Michigan Ave.

• To purchase tickets, visit The Dance Center, call 312-369-8330, or log on to colum.edu/dancecenter

THE 40th SEaSON

Support the 40th Season by becoming a Friend of the Dance Center! Visit colum.edu/friendsofdance

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phoTo: jaCob boll (ba ’12)4 |

On July 1, Columbia College Chicago welcomed Kwang-Wu Kim, D.M.A., as the 10th president and chief executive officer in the college’s 123-year history.

Born and raised in Chicago’s Hyde Park, Dr. Kim has more than 30 years of experience as a performer, teacher, and administrator. In 2006, he assumed the role of dean of the Herberger College of the Arts at Arizona State University and in 2009 was named dean and director of the newly-created Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.

Dr. Kim is an outspoken advocate for the arts and a proponent of the need to expand the role of creative practice in society and, in so doing, to rethink the way that artists are educated. In addition to his presidential role, Dr. Kim will serve as a faculty member in the college’s Music Department.

Incoming chairman of the Columbia College Chicago Board of Trustees, Richard P. Kiphart

Richard P. Kiphart is head of William Blair & Company’s Private Client Advisors, and a member of the firm’s executive committee. In addition to his duties as Board Chairman at Columbia College, Mr. Kiphart is president of the Lyric Opera of Chicago and chairman of Erikson Institute, and he serves on the board of Chil-dren’s Memorial Hospital. He received a B.A. from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

In June, Warrick L. Carter, Ph.D., retired after 13 years serving as the President of Columbia College Chicago.

Under his leadership, the college more than doubled its presence in the South Loop, and construction was completed on Columbia College’s first new-construction building, the state-of-the-art Media Production Center. Dr. Carter collaborated during this time with immediate past chairman of the board of Columbia College Chicago's Board of Trustees allen M. Turner. Mr. Turner, who was previously Chairman of the Board of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Chicago, helped oversee the purchase of new campus property, added curricula, and the conferral of over 17,000 graduate and undergraduate degrees. After seven years of working closely with Dr. Carter and Mr. Turner, Vice President of Institutional Advancement Eric V.a. Winston, Ph.D., will retire at the end of August. During his time at Columbia, Dr. Winston successfully increased the college’s philanthropic, marketing, and alumni relations efforts.

neW leaDershIp aT colUmbIa

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2013sTUDenT DesIgns shIne aT FashIon colUmbIa 2013!

On June 7, Columbia College hosted Fashion Columbia 2013 in the college’s Media Produc-tion Center (MPC). Now in its second year at the MPC, this amazing display of student-created fashion welcomed more than 200 guests, celebrating the designs of 15 recent Fashion Studies graduates. Through a combination of silent and live auctions, ticket sales, and corporate sponsorships, the event raised over $150,000 for student scholarships in the Fashion Studies Department.

Guests started the evening with a red carpet welcome before moving on to a courtyard reception featuring music from DJ Swaguerrilla. The main event was the spectacular catwalk fashion show in the Media Production Center’s 7,200-square-foot

main sound stage. The breathtaking program was presented in a strobe-lit, x-shaped runway-style format and featured 45 student designs, including menswear, outerwear, and women’s ready-to-wear.

During the evening, author and Essence magazine Editor-at-Large Mikki Taylor received the Fashion Columbia Visionary Award for her contributions to fashion and style. The Emerging Alumni Award was presented to Arts, Entertainment and Media Management alumna lauren McKeague (BA ’07), who is the owner of Pink Slip Dress Boutique in Mokena, Illinois.

The Fashion Columbia 2013 Chair was Susanna Negovan, editor of Splash, a Chicago Sun-Times publication. Emceeing the event was actress and alumna Michelle alegria (BA ’97).

Event sponsors for Fashion Columbia 2013 were Macy’s, Splash magazine, Mesirow Financial, Event Creative, J & L Catering, ProForm Technologies, Fox Valley Winery, Fields Auto Group, Fiat Highland Park, and Illinois Wine. The after-party was sponsored by ¡Ay Chiwowa! bar and restaurant.

To view photos from Fashion Columbia 2013 visit colum.edu/fashioncolumbia2013

phoTo: roberT kusel (ba ’78)

FashionColumbia

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2013

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all lectures start at 6:00 PM at the Film Row Cinema of Columbia College Chicago 1104 S. Wabash ave., 8th floor.

COMEDy STuDIES

CONVERSaTIONS IN THE aRTS 2013-14:

Horatio Sanz (’92)

Comedian & Actor

October 23, 2013

Joan riVErS Comedian, CEO, & Television Host

February 25, 2014

colum.edu/conversations

Registration begins 4-6 weeks before each event at

HOTEl SPONSOR:PRESENTINg SPONSOR:

When Kayla Rosenberg, a senior in the Television program, discovered that the investor in her latest film, The “Z” Word, had backed out four weeks before she was due to start production, she was left reeling.

Kayla explained, “I was in a state of shock. I was producing a $15,000 film and now it was at $5,000.” Michael Niederman, Chair of the TV Department, suggested she apply for the newly-established Norinsky Family Production Grant.

After submitting her production documents, which included budget, script, and crew list, Kayla was approved and became the first Television student to be awarded the funds.

The Norinsky Family Production Grant was established by Ron Norinsky (BA ’70), an alumnus of the Television department. Norinsky, who owned and operated Video Replay, a Chicago-based video equipment rental and post/duplication company, decided to create the grant in order to offer financial assistance to students for their video project assignments. Students may apply for grant money to help them with equipment and location rentals, costume, prop, and set rentals, and purchases for class-assigned work.

TV sTUDenT receIVes FIrsT eVer norInskY FamIlY proDUcTIon granT

“Columbia has just been incredible to me. If you seek out opportunities, thecollege willingly gives them to you.”

—Kayla Rosenberg

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To learn more about Columbia’s Television department visit colum.edu/television

Norinsky’s generosity in establishing the grant has already had a tremendous impact. Rosenberg, who wrote and produced The “Z” Word, used the grant money for a variety of purposes, including hiring a makeup artist and stunt coordinator, as well as a U-Haul truck to transport the entire crew around the city. When asked about the impact of the grant she said, “It was instrumental. I don’t know where we would be without it.”

Rosenberg worked on the project with a team of students from both the Television and Film departments. The “Z” Word tells the tale of zombies trying to re-assimilate into society

after a cure for ‘zombieism’ has been found. Talking about the film, which is currently in post-production, Kayla said, “It is really hilarious. They still look like zombies so there is zombie discrimination. They have difficulty trying to date and get a bus pass.”

After the film is complete Kayla has big plans for its release. “The plan is to file all the paperwork so we can register it for festivals and then hopefully apply for the student Oscars. I would like to be able to sell the idea for either a TV show or feature film.”

phoTos: aleX "oopey" Mason

kayla rosenberg and the cast and crew of The "Z" Word

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senIors Take FlIghT aT manIFesT 2013If you were in Chicago’s South Loop on May 17, you would have seen people zip-lining through the air in graduation caps and gowns. On any other afternoon this would have been an extraordinary sight, but that day it was all part of the spectacle that is Manifest, Columbia’s annual urban arts festival.

On the eve of commencement, Columbia transformed Chicago’s South Loop into a bustling arts district, celebrating the work of more than 2,000 graduating students. Exhibitions and performances spilled out into the street and music filled the air. It was an incredible day showcasing the talent of our amazing graduating seniors who are taking bold steps into the professional world.

Following tradition, the celebration began at noon with the Great Convergence, Manifest’s opening event, which included a dance performance on Wabash Avenue. The performers led the cheering

crowd to the main tent on Wabash Avenue, where Mark Kelly, Vice President of Student Affairs, gave a speech recognizing this year’s valedictorians, as well as several honorary degree recipients. Aldo Guzman, Director of Student Engagement, said, “If I were to single out one moment of Manifest that truly represents what the event is about—with bringing the entire community together and celebrating as one Columbia—[the Great Convergence] is it.”

“There is something sacredabout Manifest because it is honoring the individual and collective work of our seniors.”

–Mark Kelly, Vice President of Student affairs

One of this year’s main attractions was a 200-foot zip line in the parking lot across the street from 916 S. Wabash Ave. Students flew down the wire wearing graduation caps and gowns while holding dry-erase boards displaying messages they wrote. Music also featured heavily, with stages dotted around the South Loop playing host to more than 25 individual and group performances, including Manifest head-liners Now Now, Chance the Rapper, and Electric Guest. Also featured was Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management major Daryn Alexus, who won Columbia’s 7th Annual Biggest Mouth Competition.

ManiFesT design: ThuMy phan (bFa '13)

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cenTer For book & paper arTs receIVes FUnDIng To leaD Work-shop In georgIa

The Center for Book & Paper Arts recently received over $23,000 from Open Society Foundations to run workshops in the Republic of Georgia during the months of January and June this year. The workshops, some of which were hosted by the Women’s Fund in Georgia, merged the local culture of a woman-oriented craft, felt making, with book making. By employing Georgian craft heritage the project brought together women artists, indigenous craft practitioners, students, and other community shareholders to turn personal experiences into meaningful art objects.

In addition to showcasing the felting craft practices of Georgia, the project was designed to foster an awareness of issues central to women’s lives through the creation of artistic objects. The objects made during the workshops offer a powerful context for the discussion of women’s rights, roles, and experiences — critical issues in these communities.

The project was led by a team from the Center for Book & Paper Arts comprised of Melissa Potter (Interdisciplinary Book + Paper Arts MFA Program Director), Clifton Meador (acting Department Chair), and Miriam Schaer (Interdisciplinary Arts Lecturer). More than 120 people participated in the workshops, which were held in the Kakheti and Tusheti mountain regions of Georgia.

The project was made possible through a grant from Open Society Foundations, a non-profit organization founded by Hungarian American philanthropist, George Soros, to help countries make the transition from communism. Their mission is to work to build vibrant and tolerant societies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people. The project was facilitated by Women’s Fund in Georgia Program Coordinator Ida Bakhturidze.

For more information on the Center for Book & Paper Arts visit colum.edu/bookandpaper

PHOTOS: MIRIaM SCHaER

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cOluM.Edu/aluMNiwEEkENd — REgisTER TOday!

ThuRsday, sEpTEMbER 26 – saTuRday, sEpTEMbER 28

You’rE inVitEd!For three days this September, take the opportunity to reconnect and reengage with fellow alumni from all over the country.

Highlights of the weekend include:

• Alumni Luncheon with College Address by Columbia’s New President/CEO, Dr. Kwang-Wu Kim

• Professional Development Workshops: LinkedIn 101, Resume 101 & Advanced Resume, Personal Branding for the Creative

• Departmental Open Houses: Master Classes, Faculty Meet & Greet, Tours • 3rd Annual Alumni 5k• The Color Purple at the Mercury Theater plus Meet & Greet with Alumni Cast

For more information call 312.369.8640 or visit colum.edu/alumniWeekend

rEgiStEr todaY!

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gIVIng To colUmbIa Is an acT oF FamIlYWhen lauren and Steve Scheibe accompanied their daughter Dana Scheibe (Ba '12) to an open house at Columbia in 2007, they knew the school would play an important role in their family’s life. From that moment, they fell in love with the college, and when Dana was accepted, their Columbia journey began.

Throughout Dana’s time at Columbia, Lauren and Steve supported their daughter’s love for the Early Childhood Education courses she was taking in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. They encouraged her to explore her passion for educating children and passing on the gift of knowledge to the next generation of creative leaders.

It has now been six years since their Columbia journey began, and the Scheibes’ ties to the college are as strong as ever. Dana completed her degree in the summer of 2012 and is now

an assistant preschool teacher in Chicago. She plans to continue following her dream by pursuing her Masters in Special Education in Denver next year. Lauren and Steve continue to support the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences with generous gifts to the Early Childhood Education Gift Fund. The Scheibe family’s story is a reminder to all of us that the real value of education is found not just in the impact it has on the lives of our sons and daughters, but in the lives they go on to touch as well.

Lauren and Steve Scheibe are just two of the many parents who have invested in the college. All of our programs are enriched by the philan-thropy of our valued parent supporters. Colum-bia is built on the talent and creativity of its students, but we could not offer them such a rich and diverse education without the generous assistance of their parents.

For more information about the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences visit colum.edu/las

“The college experience is a wonderful thing—the ability to explore different interests and find something that you are passionate about—Columbia gave that to Dana.”

—Lauren Scheibe

PHOTO: JaCOB BOll (Ba '12)

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Open Doors Gala 2013 is a black-tie fundraising event, chaired by Richard P. Kiphart, Sylvia Neil, and Robert a. Wislow, that serves the core of Columbia College Chicago’s mission: to make it possible for talented students to receive the finest education. Proceeds benefit the Open Doors Scholarship Fund, which provides skilled Chicago Public Schools graduates with the financial support that they need to attend Columbia.

An evening of art and glamour, over 300 distinguished guests will enjoy showcases of student artwork and performances, red carpet arrivals, an elegant cocktail reception, and a gourmet gala dinner. As the festivities conclude, former Chairman of the Columbia College Board of Trustees, allen M. Turner, will be awarded the prestigious Chicago Legacy Award for his contributions to the Chicago community.

CHaIRSRichard P. KiphartChairman of the Board

Sylvia NeilVice-Chair

Robert WislowTrustee

For more information visit colum.edu/gala

Open Doors Gala

SaVE THE DaTESaturday, November 9, 2013

lOCaTION:COluMBIa COllEgE CHICagO’S MEDIa PRODuCTION CENTER 16TH aND STaTE STREETS

honoring allen M. Turner with the Chicago legacy award

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There comes a time when a helping hand not only makes a difference in the lives of our students, it can mean the difference between success and failure. At Columbia College Chicago we pride ourselves on building a community thatchampions future artists, providing them with the opportunities to succeed at their craft.

Whether you give to scholarships, programs, endowments, or devote yourself in other ways, your gift is an investment in the future of the arts.

For more information on ways to give, our giving societies, and our upcoming events, we invite you to visit colum.edu/giving.

To learn More visiT

colum.edu/giving

BUILDING ACOMMUNITY Give. Inspire. Create

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WHO WE AREMichael andersonAssociate Vice President of Institutional Advancement manderson@colum.edu

Brent CaburnayDirector of Annual Giving bcaburnay@colum.edu

alistair Porter (MaM ’13)Editor/Writer/Development Communications Coordinator

Michael Bogart (’14) Assistant Editor/Stewardship Coordinator

Chandra DennisSenior Director of Development, Major Gifts cdennis@colum.edu

Kelly KovregDirector of Special Projects kkovreg@colum.edu

Nancy RampsonDirector of Development, Major Giftsnrampson@colum.edu

Ruby SchuckerDirector of Planned Giving rschucker@colum.edu

Cynthia ThomasDirector of Foundation & Government Grantscthomas@colum.edu

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Songs of the Wanderers, Cloud gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, PHOTO: yu HuI-HuNg