Urbana University, a branch campus of Franklin University, is proud to announce its Town and Gown event this Thursday, Oct. 19. The culturally enriching event blends the spirit of town and gown to honor the memory of Nancy Miller, namesake of the Miller Center for Visual Arts, by spotlighting Ohio artists and recognizing retired Urbana faculty.
Doors open at the Miller Center for Visual Arts, 518 College Way, on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. Following a brief social time, Dr. Christopher Washington will provide opening remarks before introducing artists Molly Burke and Nathan Gorgen, who will give brief comments about their exhibit “Reminisce.”
Following the exhibit overview, Dr. Washington will present the official recognition of Dr. Alice Grimes and Dr. Sylvia Wirsing-Bryant as Professor Emeriti, an honorary title conferred upon retired faculty or administrators who have a long history of meritorious service to higher education and Urbana University.
About Dr. Alice Grimes
Dr. Alice Grimes began her service to Urbana University in 1996 as Assistant Professor of Psychology. She was promoted to Associate Professor of Psychology in 1999 and achieved the rank of full professor in 2004. Dr. Grimes served as Chair and then Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences from 2006 through 2014. She was promoted to the position of Dean of Assessment and Academic Quality in 2014, a position she held until her retirement from Urbana University in July 2016.
Through her numerous roles, Dr. Grimes advanced academic offerings and majors in the areas of psychology, sociology, history, political science, and criminal justice. She is responsible for and supported the creation and implementation of majors in criminal justice leadership, human services leadership and family studies, as well as the development of the gerontology certificate program and pre-law certificate program.
Dr. Alice Grimes used her vast experience to work with the aging, provide counseling services in the Franklin county area, as well as serve as a consultant and speaker for several universities and public service organizations.
Dr. Alice Grimes demonstrated a genuine interest in the advancement of academic quality while employed by Urbana University and worked tirelessly with students to help them secure employment in their field of study. Dr. Grimes expended many hours working with students to explore and secure graduate programs that would meet the needs of each individual student
About Dr. Sylvia Wirsing-Bryant
Dr. Sylvia Wirsing-Bryant’s career at Urbana University began in 1987 as Director of Student Support Services. She was appointed Assistant Professor in 1992, promoted to Associate Professor in 1995, and achieved the distinguished rank of Full Professor in 2001. From 2009 to 2012, Dr. Wirsing-Bryant served as Chair of the Department of Communication Arts before becoming Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 2015.
Dr. Sylvia Wirsing-Bryant refined her knowledge in Communication Arts, matriculating to prestigious institutions of higher learning across Eastern and Central Europe. First, at Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich, Germany. Then, at the University and Theatre Institute at Budapest, Hungary. Her education culminated when she earned her Ph.D. at the University of Vienna, Austria.
During her 28-year tenure at Urbana University, Dr. Wirsing-Bryant dedicated her talents to faculty governance, serving on Faculty Affairs, Academic Standards, Curriculum Review, the Advisory Committee for the Miller Center for the Visual Arts and adviser to the Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society for the Communication Arts. She advised and ran the Urbana University Student Newspaper (The Lancer) for multiple years and presented frequent papers and publications to academic conferences and symposiums. Dr. Wirsing-Bryant provided a career-long impact to the improvement of the cultural and intellectual life at Urbana University.
We congratulate Drs. Grimes and Wirsing-Bryant on being named Professor Emeriti and welcome artists Molly Burke and Nathan Gorgen as the Miller Center for the Visual Arts fall exhibit.
All faculty, staff, students and our community partners and friends are invited to join this special event.
