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Jane Baas gets fine arts teaching award

Oct. 2, 2006

KALAMAZOO--Jane Baas, associate professor of dance at Western Michigan University, was honored with the Dean's Teaching Award in the WMU College of Fine Arts at a September reception in the Gilmore Theatre Complex. Now in its second year, the annual award is presented for outstanding teaching and dedication to student development.

Also recognized at the September fine arts reception were Sandra Duke, academic advisor and budget officer for the Department of Theatre, and Dr. D. Terry Williams, professor of theatre and longtime chair of the department. Duke and Williams received the college's 2006 Outstanding Service Award.

"In support of Jane's [Bass'] nomination, I received correspondence giving extraordinary testimony to her effectiveness as a teacher, artist, mentor and scholar," says Dean Margaret Merrion, who presented the award. Baas was cited as "outstanding" for her enthusiasm, intellect, dedication and personal concern for students.

One year ago, Baas received national attention for leading WMU efforts in a collaboration with Case Western Reserve University to teach a dance kinesiology class via Internet2, a consortium of universities working in partnership with industry and government to develop advanced network applications and technologies.

Baas joined the WMU faculty in 1981. She earned her undergraduate degree from WMU and a Master of Fine Arts in modern dance from Case Western Reserve.

Media contact: Thom Myers, (269) 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu

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