Arts professors receive distinguished ranks

On August 20, two of Fredonia's performing arts professors, Tom Loughlin and James Piorkowski, were given the honor of being appointed to distinguished ranks by the State University of New York Board of Trustees. Loughlin and Piorkowski are two faculty members out of 64 in the campus SUNY system to be granted the title.

Loughlin, a faculty member at Fredonia since 1988 and the first member of the theatre and dance department to receive the honor, was promoted from chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance to Distinguished Teaching Professor. The honor was given in recognition for his mastery teaching skills, extreme dedication to his students and his willingness to provide the students with the highest amount of intellectual growth.

Fredonia's Media Arts department was formed and led by Loughlin. He has directed several multimedia productions and served as head of the Department of Visual Arts and New Media for three years. Loughlin was also interim dean of the College of Arts and Humanities in 2007.

"Quite often awards can be arbitrary things, so while I feel honored and thrilled to have received this distinction, I also feel that we have many other remarkable teachers at Fredonia equally or more deserving of the same distinction," Loughlin said.

According to Jessica Sabatini, a sophomore theater major, Loughlin is a very caring professor who pushes you to be all you can be. He is helpful and wants the very best for all his students. She says he is very smart and gives excellent advice.

Loughlin believes it is difficult to compare Fredonia's performing arts program to other SUNY schools, but he did say, "I do think what makes Fredonia the strongest arts school of all the liberal arts campuses in SUNY is the strength of all our arts departments combined. We have outstanding students and faculty in visual arts and digital arts, in music, in film, and in dance as well as in theatre."

Piorkowski was named Distinguished Professor, acknowledging his significant contributions through artistic performance. To earn the title of Distinguished Professor, a candidate needs to achieve national or international prominence and a substantial reputation in his or her chosen field.

Piorkowski has an international reputation for his soloist performances and his compositions. He has directed the Guitar Studies program at the School of Music since 1983. After performing in places such as Europe, Asia, South America and the Caribbean as a member of the Buffalo Guitar Quartet, Piorkowski successfully received his acclaimed international reputation.

"I never imagined being promoted to this rank," Piorkowski said. "So when I was nominated and supported for the honor, it seemed unreal to me. Last Fridays ceremony was the highlight of my professional career. It was a very good day."

Piorkowski has written music for guitar, cello and voice among many others. He is very passionate about music and believes that SUNY Fredonia is one of the top schools as far as the music program is concerned.

"Our School of Music is strong compared to other music programs, not only in SUNY, but across the country," Piorkowski said. "Our strength is found in our dedicated, hard-working and talented faculty. Our facilities in Mason Hall are excellent. The support that we receive from our administration is invaluable."

Both Loughlin and Piorkowski agree that one of the advantages of working at Fredonia is the students.

"I love the energy and creativity that the students bring to our campus," Piorkowski said. "They really want to be here. They work hard in practicing, composing and studying and it is very satisfying as I see them blossom."

Loughlin explained that the students he works with have made his time as a professor here at SUNY Fredonia enjoyable.

"I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach some talented and wonderful people," he said. "And what stands out most to me is not just the quality of their talent but the caliber of their character. That's why I have the best job on the planet."