Lynda LaRoche, associate professor of jewelry and metals in the Art Department, has been selected as Art Educator of the Year by NICHE magazine.
In addition, two of LaRoche's students were selected as finalists in the student division of the NICHE magazine awards competition.
Winners were recognized at the NICHE Awards ceremony in February in Philadelphia. They are also featured on the magazine's website under NICHE Awards 2011.
The Art Educator of the Year award was established to recognize those who have dedicated their careers to nurturing and guiding the next generation of craft artists. Professors are nominated by their students, and the winner is chosen based on student essays. It is open to all art educators in North America.
In the essay nominations, LaRoche's students described her as “not only instilling a sense of design and appreciation for craft within everyone,” but also having a “desire to push each creative project to the next level.”
IUP finalists in the student division of the NICHE awards were Erin Knisley, of Sidman, and Bifei Cao, of China.
Knisley was recognized for her piece “Untitled” in the sculpture to wear jewelry category and “Lantern Necklace” in the fine jewelry category. Cao was selected for his piece “No Parking” in the metal sculptural category.