The West Virginia University College of Creative Arts has made its selections for two endowed professorships within the college.
Shoji Satake received The J. Bernard Schultz Endowed Professorship in Art and Radhica Ganapathy was awarded The Mabel DeVries Tanner Endowed Professorship in Theatre.
“Both Shoji and Radhica have a record of making internationally important research and creative contributions to their fields,” said Dean Keith Jackson. “Equally important, they are brilliant when it comes to bringing the benefit of those activities to their students.”
The J. Bernard Schultz Endowed Professorship in Art is awarded every three years to a faculty member recognized as a leader in art and design through research and creative activity. With the title comes funds to support further scholarly activity.
Satake is an associate professor of ceramics in the School of Art & Design. In addition to teaching, Shoji has served as one of the Directors-at-Large for the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts Board and currently serves NCECA as a Special Presidential Appointee to the Council. Satake has conducted workshops and exhibited nationally and internationally.
Satake holds an MFA in Ceramics from Indiana University, Bloomington. He received his BA in Studio Art and BA in Government from The College of William and Mary. He has also taught at Indiana University, Hope College and Central Michigan University.
The Mabel DeVries Tanner Endowed Professorship in Theatre is given to a faculty member with an outstanding record in teaching, service to the discipline, research and creative work, and service with a positive impact upon residents of West Virginia and the region.
Ganapathy’s research engages in critical representations of race, class, gender, and sexuality in twentieth century theatre and performance. She also examines notions of performance and performativity in art and the everyday life.
Ganapathy holds a Ph.D. in Theatre from Texas Tech University with a dual focus in History/Theory/Criticism and Acting/Directing. Ganapathy began her career in theatre as a professional actor in New Delhi, India, before relocating to the United States. She has collaborated with various artists, performers, and scholars in India Sweden and the United States. Prior to joining the School of Theatre and Dance at WVU, Ganapathy taught at Penn State Berks and Stockholm University.