Belden died Wednesday after a long struggle with cancer.

"Ursula was a mighty force on the faculty," said William Fisher, interim director of the School of Theater. "She led the faculty and students in building one of the finest theater design programs in the country -- one that is known and respected internationally. She was a rigorous mentor who instilled a sense of purpose and a humanity in the work that all admire and respect."

Belden, a member of the Ohio University faculty since 1986, headed the Production Design and Technology Department within the School of Theater.

College of Fine Arts Dean Charles McWeeny reflected on the focus, energy and professionalism Belden brought to the school.

"She was a dedicated teacher who was generous to her students and to her colleagues," McWeeny said. "Ursula was a substantial life force, and she will be deeply missed."

Belden has designed sets for dozens of Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, including "Quilters," "Waitin' in the Wings," "Amadeus" and the award-winning revival of August Strindberg's "A Dream Play." She also worked extensively in regional theater. Her credits include productions for the Mark Taper Forum, The Kennedy Center, The Cleveland Playhouse, The Denver Center, The Walnut Street Theatre, The Cincinnati Playhouse, The Pittsburgh Public Theatre, The Folger Shakespeare Theatre, The Indiana Repertory Theatre, GeVa and many others.

"She was a remarkable collaborator," said Shelley Delaney, head of the university's Professional Actor Training Program, who worked with Belden on last year's School of Theater production of "Knock Me a Kiss." "I learned so much more about my voice as a director and about collaboration."

Delaney also emphasized Belden's dedication to her students. "Ursula was tireless in connecting students and faculty to the relationships she had in New York. She helped her students exponentially."

Ana Milosevic -- a 2008 graduate now studying at Yale University, also Belden's alma mater -- can certainly attest to that. Belden chose Milosevic as the recipient of a scholarship she was able to designate by virtue of being named the university's 2000 Distinguished Professor.

"She was more than a professor and mentor," Milosevic said. "She was an inspirational force."

Belden earned numerous national awards and regularly was selected to participate in the International Design Exhibition in Prague. She designed the American national exhibit for the 2007 Prague Quadrennial and the first World Stage Design Exhibit in Toronto in 2005.

A dedicated teacher, she conducted workshops in Berlin, London, Prague, Bali and Kathmandu. She also served as a Fulbright Senior Specialist in Hong Kong and as a guest professor at London's Central St. Martin's School of Art and Design.

Professor of Costume Design Holly Cole remembered a statement Belden made that conveyed her commitment to teaching and theater: "I strive to hold the mirror up to nature in such a way as to reflect back compelling insights into who we are, where we are headed and maybe where we should be headed."

"She was passionate, difficult, demanding and righteous, and we all were enriched because we knew her," Cole said. "As a teacher, she sought to unleash the student's imagination, and she demanded meaningful visual images."

While family members do not plan a funeral, they may organize a gathering in New York City in the future.