Women & Philanthropy at UT awards grants for art, autism center

June 7, 2011 | News, UToday
By Vicki L. Kroll



The Honors College and the Office of Undergraduate Research and the Center for Excellence in Autism are the recipients of this year’s grants awarded by Women & Philanthropy at The University of Toledo.

The renovated art gallery area in Sullivan Hall was made possible thanks to the grant from Women & Philanthropy at The University of Toledo.

The renovated art gallery area in Sullivan Hall was made possible thanks to the grant from Women & Philanthropy at The University of Toledo.

A grant for $7,097 was given to the Honors College and the Office of Undergraduate Research to fund the creation of a permanent art gallery in the main reception area of Sullivan Hall.

For years, the best works of junior- and senior-level art majors have been placed on these walls for viewing. The Honors College and the Office of Undergraduate Research desired to install proper track lighting and upgrade the wall space. The grant will accomplish this and establish a fund to help defray student expenses in mounting and framing their work.

“Art Professor Emeritus Diana Attie was the founder of the Honors College gallery. For several years now, she has been choosing works of our Honors College art majors to display in Sullivan Hall,” said Dr. Tom Barden, dean of the UT Honors College. “This gift from The University of Toledo Women & Philanthropy group will allow us to bring the space up to professional gallery standards. And the whole Honors College community will get to enjoy and celebrate the beauty of their work.”

“This grant will help highlight the great works of art that our talented undergraduate students have created,” said Dr. Tom Kvale, director of the Office of Undergraduate Research. “The Office of Undergraduate Research has helped fund summer research projects for many of these students, and now there is a prominent place to display these works after the summer ends.”

The second grant for $20,000 is being awarded to the Center for Excellence in Autism. It will cover signage, a medical exam table, instruments, lighting, sinks, cabinetry, paint, wall covering, lighting and flooring for the center’s Adolescent Girl’s and Women’s Wellness Initiative. The center recently relocated to the Kobacker Center on Health Science Campus.

The Adolescent Girl’s and Women’s Wellness Initiative is the first of its kind to provide comprehensive medical, social and behavioral programs and services for girls and women with autism spectrum disorders, according to Sherry Moyer, director of the Center for Excellence in Autism. These will include responsible education regarding healthy sexuality development, gynecological care, abuse detection and prevention, and development of a positive self-image. The initiative is gaining national attention for the emphasis on this underserved population.

Women & Philanthropy at The University of Toledo aspires to promote the institution through investments and grants to UT initiatives. The group is committed to forging new relationships and building a community of thoughtful, effective philanthropists among women diverse in age, interests and backgrounds.

Formed in 2006, the group awarded its first grant in 2008 and, including this year’s grants, has contributed a total of $126,931 to the University.

Membership is open to any interested woman. For more information, click here or contact Chris Spengler, director of advancement relations, at 419.530.4927.

Click to access the login or register cheese