By Susan Green
Staff writer
Beginning July 1, Robert Lazuka, interim director of the School of Art, and Meryl Mantione, professor of voice at the University of Oklahoma School of Music, will become directors of the School of Art and School of Music, respectively. College of Fine Arts Dean Raymond Tymas-Jones announced the appointments earlier this month.
"Robert Lazuka has been a member of this learning community since 1984 and he knows and understands the mission and goals of the faculty of the School of Art," said Tymas-Jones. "For the past year as interim director he has been more than effective. He's a formidable advocate for the school."
Lazuka, a printmaker and 17-year veteran of the School of Art, has taught all levels of drawing, printmaking and mixed media, including digital imaging. While printmaking area chair, he designed and implemented the renovation of the department's 6,000 square-foot printmaking studios. He is in the process of leading the School of Art through the National Association of Schools of Art and Design accreditation process.
"Working as interim director for the past year has been educational and rewarding," Lazuka said. "The school is poised for wonderful and creative changes that will have a significant impact on the arts in our community both on and off campus. As the new director, I look forward to playing a meaningful role in helping to decide how this will take place."
Lazuka studied painting at the Art Institute of Chicago and printmaking at Arizona State University where he received a master's degree in fine arts. He also is an accomplished musician and photographer.
His work is in the permanent collections of The Whitney Museum of Art, Smithsonian National Museum of American Art, Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, The Baseball Hall of Fame and many others.
Mantione has taught voice for 12 years at the University of Oklahoma where she created six new fellowships in music and implemented a viola and cello focus in the musical arts doctoral degree program.
"Based on her experience as a pedagogue and administrator in higher education, I am certain Meryl Mantione will be a valuable asset to the continued success of the School of Music," said Tymas-Jones. "She brings to the job a mature understanding of the role of a school of music within the context of a university as well as a commitment to excellence in performance, scholarship and research."
She is chair of the voice department at the University of Oklahoma and has been coordinator of graduate studies for the past five years. Mantione also is a passionate advocate for music education.
"I am looking forward to my new role as director of the School of Music at Ohio University with enthusiasm and excitement," said Mantione. "Dean Tymas-Jones and his leadership team in the College of Fine Arts are a dynamic force for the arts and arts education within the university community and beyond."
Mantione studied voice at the University of Wisconsin and received a doctorate in musical arts from the University of Colorado.
