2021 College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame Recipients
Janet Brown ’73, MPA ’04
The College of Fine Arts hosted its inaugural Celebration of Excellence event October 22-24, 2021, honoring outstanding alumni, educators and friends of the Fine Arts. Among the 2021 honorees is Janet Brown ’73, MPA ’04, recognized for her achievements as an artist, administrator and arts leader.
After earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre and later a Master of Public Administration from USD, Brown launched her career in arts management at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. She subsequently moved to New York where she worked with Joseph Papp’s New York Shakespeare Festival, serving as assistant general manager and assistant company manager for the national tour of The Pirates of Penzance. She also managed a 21-city European tour of Ain’t Misbehavin’.
Returning to South Dakota in 1984, Brown became executive director of South Dakotans for the Arts (SoDA), transforming the organization over 14 years. She founded the Prairie Arts Management Institute, directed Art Beyond Boundaries, and in 2004 took the role of chair of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at Augustana University.
On the national scale, Janet Brown served as CEO of Grantmakers in the Arts from 2009-2017, and has consulted with numerous foundations and arts organizations including the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities. Her honors include the Selena Ottum Award, the South Dakota Governor’s Honorary Award in the Arts, USD Alumni Leadership Award and the South Dakota Music Educators Association Outstanding Service to the Arts Award.
André P. Larson (Posthumous)
André P. Larson was honored posthumously for his monumental contributions to music education, scholarship and museum work.
Larson earned a BFA in Music Education (1964) and MM in Music Literature with a theatre minor (1968) from USD and a PhD in Musicology from West Virginia University in 1974. In 1972 he became the first director of the Shrine to Music Museum (later the National Music Museum) in Vermillion. Under his leadership, the museum’s collection expanded into one of the world’s foremost collections of musical instruments—including rare and historically significant instruments.
In addition to his museum work, Larson taught at USD and established the Center for the Study of the History of Musical Instruments, offering the nation’s only graduate degree in that field. He served three terms as president of the American Musical Instrument Society. His accolades include the Curt Sachs Award (1990) for his connoisseurship, skill and perseverance in building an international resource in USD’s National Music Museum.
Ruth Lingen ’80, MFA ’84
Ruth Lingen ’80, MFA ’84 is celebrated for her artistry, craftsmanship and leadership in the world of printmaking and artist’s books.
A USD art alumna with further study at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Lingen has built a career based in New York City. She is the only USD undergraduate to become a Master Printer in NYC. She worked in the printmaking and papermaking studios of Pace Prints for 27 years, founded Line Press Limited, and collaborated with over 80 artists and writers to produce limited edition artist’s books.
Her work is included in major collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Getty Museum, Brooklyn Museum, Walker Art Center and multiple libraries (including Harvard and NY Public). She has served as juror and lecturer at universities and museums across the U.S. Her honors include the Dieu Donné Lifetime Achievement Award in Papermaking, book arts recognitions and multiple “50 Best Books/Covers” awards from AIGA.
Wayne S. Knutson (Posthumous)
Wayne S. Knutson was honored posthumously for his long leadership and dedication to theatre education, arts administration and student mentorship at USD.
Dr. Knutson earned a Master of Arts from USD (1951) after a BA, and a PhD from the University of Denver. He returned to USD in 1956 as director of University Theatre, later serving as Dean of the College of Fine Arts beginning in 1972. He also was Vice President for Academic Affairs and became USD’s first University Distinguished Professor.
His contributions include adjudicating hundreds of plays, judging thousands of high school students in theatre and oral interpretation, and serving on state and national arts and humanities councils. He was instrumental in developing USD’s theatre and arts infrastructure, including during the construction of the Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts. His legacy continues via the Wayne S. & Esther M. Knutson Distinguished Professor Award and the Wayne S. Knutson Theatre.
Wilber Moore Stilwell (Posthumous)
Wilber Moore Stilwell was posthumously honored for his profound influence as an educator, artist and mentor in the USD Art Department and beyond.
After study at the Kansas City Art Institute and earning a BS in Education and an MFA in Art, Stilwell led USD’s Department of Art as chair beginning in 1941. Over 32 years, he taught, created art, led extension and summer classes, published in educational arts journals and inspired students who became artists and educators themselves.
He founded USD’s Summer High School Art Camp (the “Stilwell”), authored articles in School Arts Magazine and SDEA Journal, and was recognized with the National Gallery of Art Medal for Distinguished Service to Education. His work with extension and community-based art outreach left lasting programs and cultivated visual arts talent across South Dakota.
Frank J. Aiello
Frank J. Aiello is celebrated for his exceptional contributions to vocal performance and pedagogy at USD and beyond.
Holding a Bachelor and Master of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts, Aiello joined USD in 1968 to teach voice. Over 33 years, he trained countless students, many of whom have gone on to professional careers in opera, musical theatre and arts education. He also served twice as chair of USD’s Department of Music.
Aiello’s teaching excellence was recognized with the Belbas-Larson Award for Excellence in Teaching. His influence extends to work as adjudicator, performing artist and mentor. Even beyond the classroom, he has contributed to international festivals (like Brancaleoni in Italy) and helped raise the profile of USD’s vocal and theatre training programs.
Evelyn Schlenker
The 2021 Hall of Fame also recognized Evelyn Schlenker as an Outstanding Friend of the Fine Arts for her longstanding, generous devotion to USD and the broader arts community.
For over 35 years, Evelyn, together with her husband George, has supported USD’s theatre productions, arts events and students through volunteer work, fundraising and board service. She has chronicled and preserved regional arts history through books and served on boards including Vermillion Area Arts Council and the South Dakota Shakespeare Festival.
Whether behind the scenes or at opening-night dinners, she has helped make the arts possible for many—supporting students, departments and community spaces with her time, energy and advocacy.
Doug & Sue Tuve
Doug & Sue Tuve were honored in 2021 for their generous and sustained support of USD’s Fine Arts programs.
Sue Tuve (a Vermillion native) attended USD, and though she completed her degree elsewhere, her allegiance remained strong. She and Doug have been involved with alumni efforts (founding the Twin Cities alumni lunch club), served on the USD Foundation Board (Sue was Chair), and contributed significantly to scholarships, theatre, and the arts community in Vermillion.
They established a Distinguished Professorship in Choral Music, funded art gallery improvements and supported endowments for theatre and music programs. Their multi-year partnership with First Bank & Trust, under their leadership, contributed substantial funding toward equipment, support for guest artists and scholarship resources across art, music and theatre.
Tom Schaack
Tom Schaack was recognized for his exceptional leadership, philanthropy and advocacy for arts education in Vermillion and beyond.
A 1981 graduate of Northern State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Schaack served as Community Bank President for First Bank & Trust in Vermillion for nearly 25 years. Deeply committed to community growth, he has supported organizations including the Vermillion Cultural Association, Vermillion Lion’s Club and Vermillion Area Community Foundation. He has also served on the boards of the Dakota Hospital Foundation and the Vermillion Transit Authority and is an active member of Concordia Lutheran Church.
Schaack’s impact on the arts community is both lasting and profound. In 2008, he helped secure a major financial commitment from First Bank & Trust to the USD College of Fine Arts through the Fishback Financial Corporation Community Fund. The gift included $30,000 annually for five years, plus a $10,000 annual challenge grant to support technology and equipment acquisitions. Thanks to Schaack’s leadership, the partnership was extended for an additional three years, bringing the total value to $260,000—funding that benefited the Departments of Art, Music, and Theatre equally.
This transformative support provided scholarships, guest artist residencies, special events and state-of-the-art technology that elevated learning and performance opportunities for countless students. Schaack’s efforts not only strengthened the College of Fine Arts but also demonstrated his enduring belief in the power of the arts to enrich community life.
Oscar Howe (Posthumous)
Oscar Howe, honored posthumously, remains one of USD’s most influential artists and mentors.
Born on May 13, 1915, Howe studied at the Santa Fe Indian School and served in the U.S. Army before earning his BA and MFA (University of Oklahoma). From 1957 until his retirement in 1980, he was artist-in-residence and professor of art at USD, pushing against stereotypes and bringing new expression to Native American art.
Over his lifetime he received many honors: Artist Laureate of the Middle Border, several Governor’s Awards, the Golden Bear Award from the University of Oklahoma and more. USD continues his legacy through the Oscar Howe Memorial Association, the Summer Art Institute, Archives and the Art Gallery, ensuring his work, values and mentorship endure.
