The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks, The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."

University's only glass professor leaving to teach in Kentucky

Zach Yushanich was shocked when his professor, Ché Rhodes, announced he was leaving. Rhodes, the only full-time professor teaching in the glass program, announced he had accepted a position at the University of Louisville, where he will help start its glass program.

Yushanich said Rhodes is known for making jokes, but when he saw administrators and Bill Boysen, the former glass professor, at the announcement, he knew this time was different.

The undergraduate glass program, which began in 1999, has 16 students and has quickly outgrown its small facilities between Wham and Pulliam Halls. In Louisville, Rhodes will be able to have full access to large facilities and more resources.

Yushanich, a senior studying glass from Rochester, said Rhodes is able to connect with the students well because they are close in age. He also said Rhodes pushes his students to go beyond making bowls and glasses, but to actually create art.

Harris Deller, director of the School of Art and Design, described Rhodes as "top of the heap in terms of glass artists," and said he worries whether the University will be able to afford another professor of his artistic caliber.

"The students just worship him, in terms of his charisma and teaching ability," Deller said.

Rhodes, 31, began teaching at SIUC in 1999, filling the shoes of Bill Boysen, who built the SIUC glass program from the ground up more than 30 years ago and still teaches as needed as an SIUC professor emeritus. Boysen was also the main force behind implementing the undergraduate degree before retiring.

Since Rhodes' announcement, some students have been worrying about their degrees. But the College of Liberal Arts has committed to replacing Rhodes with two part-time hires until they find a full-time replacement.

Rhodes requested a search for his successor begin before he left for Louisville to make sure he was a part of the selection process. The search committee's deadline was early November, but Rhodes said the search continues because they did not find a suitable replacement.

Carol Cox, a graduate student studying glass art from Lindenhurst, said when Rhodes broke the news to the students, she was shocked. Cox said not knowing who will replace him is a somewhat scary situation.

"I hope it is someone at least close to the caliber of the instructor he is," Cox said. "At the same time, we respect him so much that we want to see him do the best for his career."

One of Rhodes' reasons for leaving is partly something that cannot be fixed in the short term by the University; such as the large art community like the one he found in Louisville. Rhodes said if the Carbondale art community were more stimulating, he would probably stay.

"In an environment such as this, as an artist, teacher and educator, you have to evaluate what you put into various systems and what do you get back," Rhodes said. "If you see the possibility to take the next step, should you sacrifice personal things to save something else? You won't get another opportunity like this."

Deller said the "land-locked" nature, or lack of a nearby large city, of the Carbondale art scene is not conducive to a large art culture. But he said he does not believe that will hinder SIUC from attracting top-notch faculty.

Until a replacement is found, glass program alumni Jason Roberts and Jim Weiler will take over teaching the program.

Rhodes said the University of Louisville contacted him during the summer and asked if he would help start its glass program during the fall semester. At first, Rhodes declined because it was not a tenure-track position and because he had invested much time and effort in SIUC. The position, however, was attractive to Rhodes because it presented him the opportunity to continue developing as an artist.

Then the tug-of-war began. Deller said the University showed a substantial amount of support for Rhodes, making several offers to entice him to stay.

"The University really bent over backwards to get him to stay," Deller said. "But sometimes, you just can't turn things around. Every possible effort was made to keep Ché here."

Rhodes said SIUC's offers surprised him. He said he assumed because he was still new to the University, little effort would be made to try and keep him. But he finally accepted the Louisville position and will begin in January in a tenure-track position.

Deller said the intense effort to keep Ché at SIUC shows the University's support of the program.

Rhodes said more support is still needed to make the glass program truly great, including a new facility.

"We have transcended the ability to work with the facility we are in," Rhodes said. "There are students here with a lot of potential, but if we made it just a little easier for them, they could do some great things."

Rhodes said glass has become increasingly popular in the private sector during the last six years. Louisville has a vibrant glass scene, which was partly why the program is starting in Kentucky. Rhodes said although he will be gone, he is returning next semester to attend the thesis shows of the seven graduate students.

"And now they will always have a connection in Louisville," Rhodes said.

The annual Christmas glass preview sale is from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the Glass House on 1007 Mill St. The sale will move to the Student Center Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

 

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