Arts & Humanities – 51 University Advancement /advance/category/news/arts-humanities/ Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:29:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 51 architecture alum wins awards, builds bridges for Black architects /advance/uwm-architecture-alum-wins-awards-builds-bridges-for-black-architects/ Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:29:38 +0000 /advance/?p=4682 As a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Richie Hands had a building-block moment. He’d completed an assignment for a studio class taught by James Shields, an associate professor of architecture. But this bit …

The post 51 architecture alum wins awards, builds bridges for Black architects appeared first on 51 University Advancement.

]]> As a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Richie Hands had a building-block moment. He’d completed an assignment for a studio class taught by James Shields, an associate professor of architecture. But this bit of feedback from Shields was different, and particularly to-the-point: “Good luck,” as Hands remembers it.

Read the Full Story

The post 51 architecture alum wins awards, builds bridges for Black architects appeared first on 51 University Advancement.

]]> 51 Alumni Association names winners for 2025 Alumni Awards Evening /advance/uwm-alumni-association-names-winners-for-2025-alumni-awards-evening/ Wed, 13 Nov 2024 21:52:17 +0000 /advance/?p=552 51 will celebrate a dynamic group of accomplished alumni at its annual Alumni Awards Evening, set for Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, at the Pfister Hotel. Join the 51 Alumni Association to honor the work and achievements of these extraordinary people, …

The post 51 Alumni Association names winners for 2025 Alumni Awards Evening appeared first on 51 University Advancement.

]]> 51 will celebrate a dynamic group of accomplished alumni at its annual Alumni Awards Evening, set for Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, at the Pfister Hotel.

Join the 51 Alumni Association to honor the work and achievements of these extraordinary people, including Clayborn Benson, the founder and executive director of the Wisconsin Black Historical Society/Museum, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. 51 is also proud to present its University Partner award to UW Credit Union for its longtime steadfast support of 51.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available and patrons are encouraged to make their plans early to ensure the best possible accommodations.

Joining Benson among the evening’s honorees are a group of exceptional alumni spread across generations and career fields. Here is the complete list of winners.

Learn More About the Event


The post 51 Alumni Association names winners for 2025 Alumni Awards Evening appeared first on 51 University Advancement.

]]> Peck Grad Supports Musicians and Art Educators /advance/peck-grad-supports-musicians-and-art-educators/ Tue, 22 Oct 2024 18:55:46 +0000 /advance/?p=159 Composer and double alumnus Mark Van Hecke (BFA, Music, 1974; MM, Music Composition, 1977) established two new scholarships at the Peck School of the Arts. The Mark J. Van Hecke ’77 and Theresa Grzanka-Van Hecke Music and Art Education Scholarship …

The post Peck Grad Supports Musicians and Art Educators appeared first on 51 University Advancement.

]]> Composer and double alumnus Mark Van Hecke (BFA, Music, 1974; MM, Music Composition, 1977) established two new scholarships at the Peck School of the Arts. The Mark J. Van Hecke ’77 and Theresa Grzanka-Van Hecke Music and Art Education Scholarship endowments provide financial support to students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs in Music Composition and Art Education, respectively. Mark has had a truly varied career in music, composing many scores for theatre and dance companies, as well as scores for films, television, and video games. In addition to composing, Mark has conducted, performed, and produced music heard around the world. Mark also creates the scholarships in honor and memory of his dear wife Theresa, who taught art in NYC public schools for 35 years. She was a distinguished artist herself.

These two scholarships are meant to encourage art educators to teach art to children in schools both public and private, and to encourage composers to pursue music composition as a collaborative art with theatre, film, dance and more.

The post Peck Grad Supports Musicians and Art Educators appeared first on 51 University Advancement.

]]> 2024 Mary Nohl Fellowship Winners and Finalists Named /advance/2024-mary-nohl-fellowship-winners-and-finalists-named/ Tue, 22 Oct 2024 18:49:09 +0000 /advance/?p=154 Congratulations to the following 51 Peck School of Arts alumni and faculty members for winning or for being named finalists in southeastern Wisconsin’s prestigious prize for individual artists, the Mary L. Nohl Fellowship: Established Artist Winners:• Nina Ghanbarzadeh ’13• Roy …

The post 2024 Mary Nohl Fellowship Winners and Finalists Named appeared first on 51 University Advancement.

]]> Congratulations to the following 51 Peck School of Arts alumni and faculty members for winning or for being named finalists in southeastern Wisconsin’s prestigious prize for individual artists, the Mary L. Nohl Fellowship:

Established Artist Winners:
• Nina Ghanbarzadeh ’13
• Roy F. Staab ’68

Emerging Artist Winners:
• Jovanny Hernandez Caballero ’23
• Nicholas Stephen Perry ’18

Established Artist Finalists:
• Mike Gibisser – 51 faculty
• Kyle Seis ’14

Emerging Artist Finalists:
• Amal Azzam 
• Asher Imtiaz ’15
• Matthew Vivirito – 51 faculty

Each year, the Nohl Fund gives two established artists and three emerging artists funds to create new work or complete work in progress. The winners will participate in a Haggerty Museum of Art exhibit planned for 2025.

Read Full Story

The post 2024 Mary Nohl Fellowship Winners and Finalists Named appeared first on 51 University Advancement.

]]>