PACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY CAMPUS VOICEBeloved art professor dies at 59
December 08, 2006
Former PLU art professor Lawrence Gold passed away from complications from a recent stroke on Dec. 1. He was 59 years old.
Gold joined the PLU faculty in 1984. Following minor heart surgery in 2002, he suffered a stroke and remained on medical and other leaves until his formal retirement last May.
He was born in Chicago, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern Illinois University in 1971 and a master’s in fine arts from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1976. While living in Madison, Gold was a singer-songwriter.
Gold was a gifted and popular teacher who was energized by student learning. He continued to visit campus, and team taught courses even after his medical leave began in 2002.
He was active in PLU’s Center for Teaching and Learning and had a keen interest in "relational pedagogy." His teaching took him beyond the art department, and included team teaching with a number of colleagues in the international core. His interest in global education led to the development of two successful study away programs in Findhorn, Scotland, and Crystal Waters, Australia.
John Hallam, chair of the art department, characterized Gold’s art works as diverse, bridging design, sculpture and painting. In addition to PLU University Gallery showings, Gold’s work was shown at the Tacoma Art Museum, Seattle Art Museum, Center on Contemporary Art in Seattle, American Art Company in Tacoma and the Blue Heron Art Center on Vashon Island.
Gold is survived by his wife, Lisa Queen ’00, and a brother. A private remembrance was held, and cards may be sent through the president’s office.
Had a class with Professor Gold my sophomore year. He was a really cool guy, artistic, flair, ponytail and all, but not a suffering artist. In addition to his professorship at PLU, he also designed product containers for other companies. One of the things he told us early on is one of my favorite pieces of trivia. For most of the world, the overall favorite color is blue. Except in the middle East and Africa, where the favorite color is green because of little vegetation there is.
2 comments:
I had him as a co-teacher of the infamous "Imaging the Self" class... one of the Integrated Studies core courses. I recall his co-teacher whose name escapes me detested me. We used to fight all the time, but Gold was a genuine guy.
I had him as a co-teacher of the infamous "Imaging the Self" class... one of the Integrated Studies core courses. I recall his co-teacher whose name escapes me detested me. We used to fight all the time, but Gold was a genuine guy.
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