IU President Michael A. McRobbie presides over the celebration of the launch of the new School of Art and Design and the rededication ceremony for Kirkwood Hall, which houses the school's new office, classroom and studio space.Barry Gealt, left, raises his arms to celebrate as he stands when Executive Dean of the IU College of Arts and Sciences Larry Singell calls his name. Gealt, a member of the painting and drawing faculty from 1969 to 2007, built an unparalleled reputation for figure works and later for landscapes. Much of his work focuses on the natural environment in Indiana. A collection of his landscapes was recently exhibited at the IU Eskenazi Museum of Art.IU President Michael A. McRobbie, right, congratulates Barry Gealt, center, after presenting him with the President's Medal of Excellence. The President's Medal for Excellence is awarded to individuals at Indiana University for outstanding academic, artistic or professional accomplishments or to individuals for exceptional service to the university.Jeffrey A. Wolin, left, listens as IU President Michael A. McRobbie, right, talks about Wolin's accomplishments before presenting him with the President's Medal of Excellence. Wolin was the Ruth N. Halls Professor of Photography until his retirement in 2016. His publications include "Written in Memory: Portraits of the Holocaust"; "Inconvenient Stories: Vietnam War Veterans"; and "Pigeon Hill: Then and Now." All were accompanied by major exhibitions.Peg Faimon, founding dean of the School of Art and Design, addresses the audience during the celebration. A part of the IU College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Art and Design was established in 2016 with a merger of the Department of Studio Art and the Department of Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design. Janette Fishell, chair of the Organ Department in the IU Jacobs School of Music, takes a bow after performing “Toccata” by Lionel Rogg during the ceremony in Alumni Hall.IU President Michael A. McRobbie talks about the history of Kirkwood Hall, which is now home to the School of Art and Design. Originally dedicated in 1895, it has been home to the Law School, the Department of Pedagogy, Greek, Latin, French, and German. At one time, the basement housed the oldest continually operating experimental psychology lab in the United States.The audience listens to the speakers during the ceremony in Alumni Hall.Marley Isaacson, a senior majoring in fashion design with a minor in apparel merchandising and marketing, talks about her classes and experiences in the IU School of Art and Design and how they helped her land a $30,000 Geoffrey Beene National Scholarship Award. After graduation this year, she will be headed to New York City to design clothing for one of Macy's private brands.IU President Michael A. McRobbie raises the ceremonial key to Kirkwood Hall into the air after the building has been formally rededicated.Following the ceremony, Jeffrey A. Wolin, left, and Barry Gealt show off their President's Medals.The IU community tours the newly renovated Kirkwood Hall following the ceremony. Kirkwood Hall, completed in 1895, is one of the oldest buildings on the IU Bloomington campus. The renovation includes reconfigured interior walls, new windows and updated utilities that bring the building to 21st-century standards. Along with offices and classrooms, the building now includes space to display student art and collaborative work space.
