Rome 2008
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SC-BU
Art Faculty
Marianne Stremsterfer
mstremsterfer@sci.edu
(217) 525-1420 ext. 518
Teaching at Springfield College in Illinois is like coming home again. I have been an adjunct faculty member since 1990, when my first collegiate art instructor, Sr. Regina Marie Fronmüller, hired me to teach 2D and 3D Basic Design. As Marianne Kohlrus, I graduated with honors in the first graduating class of Springfield College in Illinois-formerly known as “JC” or Springfield Junior College. (I don’t really want to reveal that date, but rumor has it that the name changed in 1969.) Later that year I married my husband, Gary, another graduate of SCI. My mother, Margaret Mary Burg, attended SJC in the 1940s, during WWII years, so we just added to the legacy of being taught by the Ursuline sisters. One sister and four brothers also attended or graduated from the college and two nephews, a niece and a few cousins, have joined the ranks. Our three children, Sara (’90), John (’94) and Lara (’03) are also alumni, making us a true SCI family. In 2006 I was hired as the Lead Art Faculty, making me a full-time SC-BU family member. My goal is to convince our grandchildren to attend when they are old enough (I should be retired by then).
Teaching art is my passion. How many people can admit they love going to work every day? I have been saying this for the 30+ years I have been teaching art. My enthusiasm has not waned and I enjoy spreading that enthusiasm for the arts to the school community. I also love to draw and paint, play with my grandchildren, read voraciously, and fish in northern Minnesota. Other interests are calligraphy, conducting art workshops for teachers, helping my husband with charitable auctions, cheer for the Cubs, the Illini, the Bears, and SCI sports teams, as well as spend time with my family.
Traveling is another passion. This past January I was able to lead a group of 34 students and adults to a tour of Europe, including Rome, Florence, Paris, and London. This is the third trip to the continent for my husband and myself, and we have been fortunate to visit the most famous art museums in the world, including many here in the states. Next trip is to Greece!
Art majors and minors will find a wealth of art classes offered by a talented and dedicated group of professors. Most classes are also available to non-art majors looking for quality electives.
In the past two years the art department has expanded by offering new classes: Computer Art; Art for the Elementary Teacher; credit for European Travel; Women, Art, and Society. We have an enthusiastic Art Club, sponsor the Scholastic Art Awards Honors Day Assembly; opened seven new art exhibits in the Becker Library Gallery; established the Sr. Regina Marie Fronmüller Scholarships; provided art work for Quiddity Literary Journal; offered field trips to Chicago, St. Louis, Champaign, and Allerton Park. |
