The C. Edward Balog Fund for Student-Faculty Research, dedicated in honor of the school’s sixth president, is kicking off fundraising this week with the opening of “Art for Ed’s Sake.” This exhibition and silent auction, with pieces donated by Aquinas faculty and alumni, will begin Friday, June 24, with an opening reception for the Aquinas community, and will be open to the public through Thursday, June 30.

“Part of the respect Ed has earned among faculty and staff is that he has always been a proponent of faculty development, both creative and scholarly, and has consistently sought funding to support those activities as a way to continually assure and increase the currency of the faculty,” said Art Department Chair, Professor Ron Pederson (pictured at right with Dr. Balog).

“We chose student-faculty research because there is a growing phenomenon and opportunity for faculty to be involved as mentors for students doing scholarly and/or creative projects. These opportunities have been increasing in the last couple of years, and it seems there are more funding sources for students than for faculty.”

Although the specifics of the fund are still being worked out, the goal is to provide the monetary support for the faculty in order for them, along with their students, to stay involved within their fields. “Art for Ed’s Sake” will be the first of many fundraising events hosted by Aquinas to allow for this more hands-on education experience.

“I suggested to my art colleagues that we might donate artwork for fundraising purposes; my suggestion was met with enthusiastic affirmative responses by full-time and part-time professors alike,” said Pederson. “Ed Balog has been a very popular and appreciated Provost and President, and the idea arose among a handful of faculty and staff to do something to honor Ed’s legacy.”

The event was envisioned with three goals – to begin raising money for the fund, to raise awareness of the fund and its perceived need within the community, as well as providing a fun event on-campus just one week before Balog’s official retirement date of June 30.

“We want Ed to know how much he is appreciated by the community,” said Pederson. “Members of the art department faculty have great respect for President Balog. Both as provost and president, he has been most supportive of the art department and has always encouraged us individually as artists.”

Attendees can expect a wide variety of mediums on display, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, prints and ceramics. Some pieces of note include a giclee print of Chris LaPorte’s “Cavalry, American Officers, 1921,” which won the 2010 ArtPrize competition, as well as a set of five prints of campus buildings made by Ed Riojas ('81), who now works as an illustrator for The Grand Rapids Press.

“Ed has been an advocate for student research, and this will be a wonderful way to honor him for his many important contributions to Aquinas during his tenure both as provost and president,” said Professor Dana Freeman, who is also a contributor to the show. “I’m glad to give artwork to raise funds for important student research scholarships.”

All Aquinas art department faculty members have donated at least one piece to the show, and several have donated multiple pieces.

The show will be held in the Art and Music Center gallery, and will be open to the public during business hours starting Monday, June 27, through Wednesday, June 29, then half the day on Thursday, June 30.