Press Releases

Category: Press Releases

Lawrence Jazz Series welcomes pianist, composer Jon Cowherd for April 17 concert

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Jon Cowherd and his band — percussionist Brian Blade, guitarist Steve Cardenas and bassist Tony Scherr — perform in the Lawrence Memorial Chapel Friday, 17.

Pianist, composer, arranger and producer Jon Cowherd and his band The Mercy Project showcase music from his album “Mercy” in a Lawrence University Jazz Series concert Friday, April 17 at 8 p.m. in the Lawrence Memorial Chapel.

Tickets, at $25-30 for adults, $20-25 for seniors and $18-20 for students, are available through the Lawrence Box Office, 920-832-6749.

Released in 2013, “Mercy” is Cowherd’s first album released under his own name. Completely fan-funded, “Mercy” showcases Cowherd’s distinctive compositional style.

“Jon Cowherd is one of the most expressive and sensible jazz piano artist I have ever heard,” said Jose Encarnacion, instructor of jazz studies at Lawrence. “His beautiful melodies, profound harmonies and lyricism will easily connect you with his musical stories. I love his Mercy Project and am looking forward for his next musical production. This should be a concert that the Lawrence community can’t miss.”

Cowherd is best known for his participation in the Fellowship Band, which he co-founded with celebrated percussionist Brian Blade. The two met as students at Loyola University in New Orleans, where Cowherd studied French horn with jazz great Ellis Marsalis. Since its inception in 1998, the Fellowship Band has toured widely and garnered critical acclaim for its stylistic synergy of jazz, blues, gospel and folk.

A much sought-after collaborator, Cowherd has worked with such notable artists as Cassandra Wilson, Lizz Wright, Kellylee Evans, Roseanne Cash and Iggy Pop, all of whom he cites as influences on “Mercy.”

Joining Cowherd on stage will be Blade, guitarist Steve Cardenas and bassist Tony Scherr.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2015 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

Photographic retrospective by Lawrence art professors Shimon and Lindemann offers intimate look at life in Wisconsin

The photography of Lawrence University faculty members and creative partners John Shimon and Julie Lindemann is currently featured in a retrospective of their work at the Wisconsin Museum of Art (MOWA) in West Bend.

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Jeri with her 1956 Pink Cadillac, Green Bay, Wisconsin, 2013.

The exhibition, “There’s a Place: A Three Decade Survey of Photographs by J. Shimon and J. Lindemann,” will be presented through June 7.

The largest exhibition of their work to date and their first retrospective, it highlights the artistic duo’s long-standing interest in blending contemporary and historic photographic techniques to tell meaningful stories about ordinary people in their native Wisconsin.

Blending old and new photography techniques, Shimon and Lindemann have created a compelling, at times melancholy, body of work that stands as a record of their time. Although rooted in Wisconsin, Shimon’s and Lindemann’s images are neither regional nor documentary but deeply personal, reflecting slow, thoughtful meditations on relationships that reveal the human experience.

“A retrospective of Shimon and Lindemann’s work was an obvious choice for the Museum of Wisconsin Art,” said Laurie Winters, MOWA Executive Director and CEO. “Their work is original and thought provoking. Long before regionalism was hip or the word ‘place-making’ had become fashionable in the art world, Shimon and Lindemann had quietly been making photographs of the people and places they cared about in and around their hometown of Manitowoc.”

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Angela with Kit (Blue Velvet Prom Dress), Reedsville, WI, 1997.

Associate Professors of Art, Shimon and Lindemann joined the Lawrence faculty in 2000. They were recognized with Lawrence’s faculty Excellence in Creative Activity Award 2012 and were named 2014 Wisconsin “Artists of the Year” by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Their photographs are featured in numerous museums including MOWA, The Art Institute of Chicago, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art and the Milwaukee Art Museum.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2015 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

Hilary Haskell ’12 Recognized with State Teaching Award

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Hilary Haskell ’12

Lawrence University graduate Hilary Haskell, an English Language Learner (ELL) teacher at Appleton North High School, was honored April 12 in Madison with an award from the Wisconsin Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (WACTE).

Haskell received WACTE’s Early Career Educator Award during ceremonies at the Concourse Hotel.

The award honors an outstanding educator within the first three years of his/her professional career. It recognized teachers for having a positive impact on their schools or communities, their innovation in designing learning experiences and their advocacy for students.  Haskell was one of 42 teachers state-wide honored by WACTE.

Haskell graduated from Lawrence in 2012 with a student-designed major in international comparative education. Certified to teach Spanish, ELL and bilingual, she joined the faculty at Appleton North in the fall of 2013.

She was selected for the award by faculty of Lawrence’s college and conservatory teacher education program. Each institution that belongs to WACTE is invited to select a recipient for the award.

Associate Professor of Education and Bee Connell Mielke Professor of Education Stewart Purkey, said “teachers in general, and especially talented young educators such as Hilary, deserve all the recognition, celebration and thanks we can offer.

“Lawrence and Lawrence’s teacher education program are honored to be able to recognize Hilary with this award,” Purkey added.

Appleton North Principal James Huggins described Haskell as “a very bright star in the North Community.” He also cited her for a “sincere and genuine desire to make a difference in and advocate for those she serves in our ELL population.”

David Pynenberg, associate principal at North and Haskell’s direct supervisor, hailed her for “a tremendous job breathing new life into the (ELL) program.

“What I love about Hilary is her passion for learning,” said Pynenberg. “She works very hard to serve her students’ needs and has done an exceptional job differentiating her instruction.”

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2015 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

 

All the world’s a stage: International Cabaret celebrates world culture

Cabaret-Japanese-Dancers_newsblogNearly 100 Lawrence University students representing more than 20 countries will provide a cross-cultural trip around the world in a pair of weekend shows for the college’s 39th annual International Cabaret.

With the theme “All the World’s a Stage,” students will showcase their native culture in performances Saturday, April 11 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 12 at 3 p.m. in Stansbury Theatre of the Music-Drama Center. A free reception in the Warch Campus Center will follow Sunday’s performance.

Tickets, at $10 for adults, $5 for students/children (under age four are free), are available through the Lawrence Box Office, 920-832-6749 or online at www.lawrence.edu/conservatory/box_office/tickets. The box office will be open one hour prior to Sunday’s performance.

This year’s Cabaret features singing and dancing performances as well as two fashion shows with students modeling traditional clothing from their native countries. For the first time, Cabaret will include Duo Acro Balance, a performance that incorporates circus arts to illustrate the complex relationship with oneself.  It features stylistic movements that showcase the blending of the artists’ training in traditional Mongolian contortion with modern Western theatrical movement.

Cabaret-Dancer_newsblog2This year’s  scheduled entertainment includes:

• a Vietnamese dance originating from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The dance’s name translates to “Calling for the Rain,” and was used to communicate with God during a drought.

•  an Indian classical song from Northern India. Hindustani music dates back nearly 3,000 years.

• Viva Santa Cruz Dance, a dance from East Bolivia. Called Taquirari, this dance is typically performed for Carnival.

• a Korean history dance, an example of the dancing history of popular Korean culture, dating back to the 14th century.

• a traditional Hawaiian song and dance.

• a Japanese dance

• a Russian song

•  a Chinese dance

• A traditional Bengali song from Bangladesh.

•  a Ghanian Denkyem dance.

• fashion shows featuring clothing from Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2015 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

 

 

Lawrence strengthens athletics with full-time hockey coach and new department head

Lawrence University is set to begin a new chapter by hiring a full-time director of athletics, university administrators announced today.

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Mike Szkodzinski

Current Director of Athletics and Head Hockey Coach Mike Szkodzinski said he is ready to return his focus solely to leading the hockey program. Despite splitting time between the roles of administrator and coach, Szkodzinski has put together a record of significant achievements during his nearly six years as athletic director.

“It has been a pleasure working with Coach Szkodzinski during my tenure here. Even with Mike’s high energy and strategic approach to leading our athletic and hockey programs, it is evident that a full-time director of athletics is something Lawrence needs to reach our aspirations,” Lawrence President Mark Burstein said. “Traditionally, the model at the University has been to have one of the coaches also serve as the director of athletics but bearing that sort of workload has become simply too much even for Mike.”

Lawrence will conduct a national search for a new director of athletics, said Burstein, who praised the work done by Szkodzinski on a variety of fronts.

“Intercollegiate athletics are an integral component of our liberal arts mission and Mike has been a strong leader for our coaches and student-athletes,” Burstein said. “With our growing investment in the athletic program, we want to be certain we continue the positive momentum Mike has started in the department of athletics. Having a full-time director of athletics is a crucial part of that formula for success.”

Burstein added that Szkodzinski will remain at the head of the department of athletics, which consists of 20 full-time coaches and staff overseeing hundreds of student-athletes, until a successor is named.

“Mike has done outstanding work in leading our department of athletics, but I know, in his heart, he is first and foremost a hockey coach,” Provost Dave Burrows said. “I know he wants the hockey team to have greater success in the best conference in the nation. To do that, he needs to devote all his energies to that team.”

Szkodzinski was named the director of athletics in July 2009 and has coached the Lawrence hockey team for nine seasons. He has balanced that workload with family commitments to his wife, Tori, and three young children.

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Named head coach of the Vikings’ hockey team in 2006, Mike Szkodzinski has guided the team to the most wins in school history.

“This is something I’ve been thinking about for some time and the support of President Burstein and Provost Burrows made it possible for me to hand over the reins of the department of athletics with the confidence that we are moving in the right direction,” Szkodzinski said.

The department of athletics has seen a number of changes during Szkodzinski’s tenure. Szkodzinski worked to increase the number of full-time staff members and was responsible for the hiring of standout coaches like Jason Fast (men’s and women’s cross country, track), Lisa Sammons (women’s soccer), Steve Francour (men’s and women’s tennis), Ashley Wellman (women’s basketball) as well as Rob McCarthy, Lawrence’s new football coach.

In addition, Szkodzinski has played a leading role in the renovation of the Banta Bowl, which is underway. Szkodzinski’s leadership, in partnership with Lawrence’s development office, has spearheaded efforts to raise more than $4 million for the renovation of the venerable stadium. A renovated Banta Bowl will debut in fall 2015 to celebrate its 50th birthday and serve as the home of Lawrence football as well as men’s and women’s soccer.

Under Szkodzinski’s leadership, the Lawrence tennis courts were recently resurfaced and had lights installed. Other facilities upgrades include a new track surface for Whiting Field and improvements to Alexander Gymnasium as well as both the baseball and softball fields.

“I am so proud and pleased with what we have been able to accomplish over the past six years,” said Szkodzinski, who has won more hockey games than any coach in Lawrence history. “I believe we are positioned to succeed in the Midwest Conference and the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association. I’m excited about the prospect of returning my primary focus to our hockey team, but I’m ready to assist the new director of athletics as well.”

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2015 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

Third Coast Percussion brings its eclectic repertoire to Lawrence Memorial Chapel April 11

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Third Coast Percussion — Robert Dillon, David Skimore, Sean Connors and Peter Martin — melds the energy of rock music with the precision and nuance of classical chamber works in its performances.

The four-member ensemble Third Coast Percussion showcases its eclectic repertoire in a Lawrence University Artist Series performance Saturday, April 11 at 8 p.m. in the Lawrence Memorial Chapel.

Tickets, at $25-30 for adults, $20-25 for seniors and $18-20 for students, are available through the Lawrence Box Office, 920-832-6749.

Melding the energy of rock music with the precision and nuance of classical chamber works, Third Coast Percussion — Robert Dillon, David Skimore, Sean Connors and Peter Martin — has explored and expanded the extraordinary sonic possibilities of percussion music since its founding in 2005. The ensemble is known for often manically incorporating traditional gongs, bells and Tibetan singing bowls with a wide array of ordinary objects —everything from coffee cans and pasta strainers to amplified magic markers, — and turning them all into music-making instruments.

“Third Coast Percussion has established themselves as one of the top contemporary percussion groups on the scene today,” said Dane Richeson, professor of music and director of percussion studies at Lawrence “Their programing is innovative and they are exciting performers to see and hear. I’m excited to have them performing on our Artist Series.”

Described by the New York Times as “hard-grooving” musicians, Third Coast Percussion has established a reputation for ground-breaking collaborations across a wide range of disciplines.

They have had the honor of performing world premieres for many of today’s leading composers, among them Timothy Andres, Glenn Kotche, Marcos Balter and Ted Hearne. They also champion the music of noted composers John Cage, legendary Steve Reich and George Crumb, among others.

The ensemble currently enjoys an Ensemble-in-Residence at the University of Notre Dame.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2015 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

 

 

 

Robert Rosenberg 1926-2015: Chemistry professor mentored Lawrence’s Nobel Prize winner

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Chemistry Professor Robert Rosenberg spent 35 years on the Lawrence faculty.

One of Lawrence’s most distinguished teachers, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and former Robert McMillen Professor of Chemistry Robert Rosenberg, died Friday, April 3 in Milwaukee. He was 89.

Rosenberg spent 35 years on the Lawrence faculty (1956-91), specializing in physical chemistry of proteins and chemical thermodynamics. His research was supported by grants from National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and Research Corporation.

He was the author of the book “Principles of Physical Chemistry,” which was published by Oxford University Press, and co-author of the third and subsequent editions of “Chemical Thermodynamics,” originally authored by one of his Ph.D program professors at Northwestern, Theodore Klotz. In retirement, he wrote “Why Ice Is Slippery” for Physics Today, which proved to be his most popular work, quoted in a New York Times article, and in the Weekly Reader, while the original article was translated into Italian and Japanese.

In conjunction with former physics professor Bruce Brackenridge, Rosenberg created the novel course “The Principles of Physics and Chemistry,” a mathematically rigorous, calculus-based introduction to both physics and chemistry, spread over all three terms, that they taught collaboratively. They also co-authored a textbook of the same title.

Rosenberg’s scholarly interests extended beyond the laboratory into the arenas of societal concerns through public seminars on nuclear disarmament and environmental issues.

Well known and highly respected for being unfailingly courteous, Rosenberg encouraged his students to learn chemistry by often designing their own experiments, gently leading and probing them to think creatively, frequently responding to their questions by asking questions in return to hone their analytical skills. His clear, patient explanations of equations describing complex physiochemical phenomena became legendary.

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2009 Nobel Prize winner Thomas Steitz (left) was a protege of long-time Lawrence chemistry professor Robert Rosenberg.

One of his students, Thomas Steitz, went on to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2009, a development Rosenberg said at the time had him “walking on air” with pride.

His commitment to his students often extended well past their graduation, remaining an active mentor during the careers of many chemistry alumni. He enjoyed reconnecting with former students during Reunion Weekend. During his last two years, many former students wrote or came to visit, crediting him as a foundational influence in a number of distinguished careers.

Rosenberg was recognized for his teaching prowess in 1987 with Lawrence’s Excellent Teacher Award. In 1991, the year of his retirement, he was honored by the Sears-Roebuck Foundation with its Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award in recognition of his continued “concern for the individual student beyond the classroom, both as advisor and role model.”

Born in Hartford, Conn., Rosenberg earned his bachelor’s degree from Trinity College and his Ph.D. from Northwestern University. He spent time as a research associate at Catholic University of America and taught at Harvard University Medical School and Wesleyan University before joining the Lawrence faculty in 1956.

During his tenure at Lawrence, Rosenberg spent a year as an NSF Fellow at Oxford University and served as director of the ACM program at the Argonne National Laboratory for a year. After his retirement in 1991, he spent several years as an adjunct professor of chemistry at Northwestern University, where he organized a well received symposium in honor of Professor Klotz.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia in 2013, and a son, James in 1994. He is survived by a son, Charles, Milwaukee, a daughter, Margaret (Eric) Wilde, Bronx, N.Y., and two grandchildren, Emma Wilde and Nathaniel Wilde.

A memorial service celebrating Rosenberg’s life will be held at Lawrence later this spring on a day and time to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorial donations can be made in Rosenberg’s name to Lawrence University, Northwestern University or the Nature Conservancy.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2015 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

Seven films, two director visits on tap for 4th annual Latin American and Spanish film festival

Seven films from the 2014-2015 international festival season, including appearances by two of the film’s directors, highlight Lawrence University’s fourth Latin American and Spanish Film Festival that begins Wednesday, April 8.

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The 2013 Venezuelan film “Bad Hair” opens Lawrence’s 2015 Latin American and Spanish Film Festival.

Each film, shown in Spanish with English subtitles in the Warch Campus Center cinema, is free and open to the public.

A pair of free receptions at 7 p.m. — April 8 to open the festival and April 11 to close it — also will be held in the Warch Campus Center.

“We’re back for our fourth year with some of the most critically-acclaimed films of the recent international season, including several regional premieres,” said Rosa Tapia, associate professor of Spanish and organizer of the festival. “The public also will have an opportunity to meet two award-winning international filmmakers who will join us to discuss their films.

“As one audience member told me last year, ‘Having this festival in town is like living in New York City for a week,’” added Tapia. “The festival had developed a big regional draw, with people coming from throughout the area and even as far away as Madison and Milwaukee.”

The festival schedule includes:

  • Wednesday, April 8, 8 p.m., “Bad Hair (Pelo Malo)” (Venezuela, 2013)
    Award-winning director Mariana Rondón uses the panic surrounding a nine-year-old boy’s obsession with straightening his hair to explore issues of racism and homophobia in Latin America.
  • Thursday, April 9, 5 p.m., “Dust on the Tongue (Tierra en la Lengua)” (Colombia, 2014)
    An elderly man takes a trip with his grandchildren in an attempt to persuade them to kill him so he won’t die of old age. Following the film, director Ruben Mendoza will discuss the film and participate in an audience Q & A.
  • Thursday, April 9, 8 p.m., “Two Shots Fired (Dos Disparos)” (Argentina, 2014)
    This absurdist comedy follows 17-year-old Mariano, who finds a gun in his home and – in a moment of impulse – shoots himself twice, but miraculously survives.
  • Friday, April 10, 5 p.m., “To Kill a Man (Matar a un Hombre)” (Chile, 2014)
    A downtrodden working class man takes matters into his own hands when the local government refuses to help quell a nearby gang of criminals.
  • Friday, April 10, 8 p.m., “Cantinflas” (Mexico, 2014)
    A biopic of Mexican comedy star Mario Fortino Alfonso Moreno Reyes, better known as “Cantinflas,” whom Charlie Chaplin once called the greatest comedian alive.

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    Director Moises Sepulveda will be on hand to discuss his film “The Illiterate” following its screening on April 11.
  • Saturday, April 11, 5 p.m., “The Illiterate (Las Analfabetas)” (Chile, 2014)
    Based on a recent Chilean play, “The Illiterate” follows Ximena, a middle-aged woman struggling to learn how to read. Following the film, director Moises Sepulveda will discuss the film and participate in an audience Q & A.
  • Saturday, April 11, 8:30 p.m., “Living is Easy with Eyes Closed” (Spain, 2013)
    An English teacher picks up two hitchhikers on his trip through Spain to meet John Lennon.

The festival is sponsored by the Lawrence academic programs Film Studies, Foreign Language Coalition, Latin American Studies, Gender Studies, the student organizations VIVA, All Is One and GLOW and the Center of Latin American and Caribbean Studies at UW-Milwaukee.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2015 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

Lawrence Sets Applications Record for Third Consecutive Year

Campus-Tour_newsblog
Taking a campus tour is one of the best ways for prospective students to get a true feel for what Lawrence is all about.

Interest in Lawrence University among prospective students has never been higher.

With more than a month to go before the May 1 National Candidates Reply Date, Lawrence already has attracted the largest and most competitive applicant pool in the college’s 168-year history. Running more than 10 percent ahead of last year’s numbers at this same time, Lawrence has received 2,969 applications to date, surpassing last year’s record of 2,748 applications.

Despite a shrinking number of college-bound students nationally, this marks the third consecutive year Lawrence has attracted a record number of applications.

Several factors have helped Lawrence attract applications in record numbers according to Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Ken Anselment.

“We are reaching more students around the world and doing so earlier in the process than we ever have before,” said  Anselment, “and they seem to be responding well to what Lawrence is offering in the way of a rigorous academic experience as preparation for success in a rapidly changing world.”

Anselment noted that, while application numbers are up in Wisconsin and Illinois, which together account for approximately 40 percent of each new class of Lawrentians, the admissions office is also seeing a significant uptick in applications from the western United States, especially California, as well as applications from outside the United States.

“Our international outreach has really, if you’ll pardon the pun, put Lawrence and Appleton on the map,” says Anselment. “We have received applications this year from 66 countries on every continent but Antarctica.”

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2015 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

Lawrence music students win pair of piano competitions

Lawrence University music students dominated a pair of recent piano competitions, sweeping the top two honors in both.

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Cameron Pieper

Cameron Pieper, a senior from Fond du Lac, won the college piano division of the Schubert Club’s Carlson Student Scholarship Competition held March 21 in St. Paul, Minn., while Evan Newman, a sophomore from Plymouth, Minn., was awarded second-place honors.

Each finalist was required to perform four works, one each from four different style periods. Pieper performed J. S. Bach’s “Prelude and Fugue in G major Book 1,” Beethoven’s “Piano Sonata op. 110 in A-flat Major I, Moderato cantabile molto espressivo​” Chopin’s “Scherzo no. 1 in B minor op. 20” and Rzewski’s “Piano Piece no. 4.”

Pieper, a student in the studio of Professor Catherine Kautsky, and Newman, who studies in the piano studio of Associate Professor Anthony Padilla, received $2,000 and $1,500 scholarships, respectively.

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Ethan Valentin

Freshmen Ethan Valentin, Chicago, and Zoey Lin, Najing, China, placed first and second, respectively, at the Wisconsin Music Teachers Association Collegiate Piano Competition conducted March 21 at Lawrence. Students are required to play at least three pieces of contrasting styles. For his winning performance, Valentine played Bach’s “Prelude and Fugue in D Major, WTC I,” Haydn’s “Sonata in E-flat Major, Hob. XVI:52” and two works by Debussy, “La Cathedrale Engloutie from Preludes Book 1” and “Feux d’Artifice from Preludes Book 2.”

Valentin and Lin both study in the piano studio of Padilla.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2015 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.