WEST LIBERTY, W. Va. – On September 19th, 2024, we sat down with Lou Karas, Director of the Center of Arts and Education, to talk about her life leading to West Liberty University, the creation of the Center, and her favorite craft project she’s done.
Q: What is your job and position on Campus?
A: I am the Director of the Center of Arts and Education.
Q: What did you do before WLU?
A: I spent most of my career working in the non-profit sector, both in Pittsburgh for a Community Center Social Service Agency and for a Community Art’s Organization. I started working in West Virginia based in Morgantown running a statewide organization called the Appalachian Education Initiative, which focused on supporting arts education in public schools.
Q: And how did that lead you to working at WLU today?
A: The short answer was we were looking for a partner to primarily have office space. Through some connections and a suggestion from a funder, we had a conversation with the Dean of the College of Education at the time, and through some other conversations and support of the Benedum Foundation, we were able to move Appalachian Education Initiative to West Liberty. With partnership with the Dean of the College of Education and the Dean of the College of Arts and Communication at the time, we began the process of creating what has become the Center of Arts and Education.
Q: How many years have you worked at WLU?
A: I have been here for 13 years and officially started July 1st, 2011. And we have been in this space since the fall of 2013 and officially opened here January 2014.
Q: Why and how did you start the Center of Art of Education?
A: The Dean of the College of Education and The Dean of the College of Arts and Communications had been talking about what they could do to have the students of their colleges interact more, particularly for teachers. And within the conversation about Appalachian Education Initiative, that became the conversation to create the Center.
Q: How did the Center start work with children on campus? And how has the experience helped the Center?
A: The Center of Arts and Education is really many things. As part of our work, we work with many teachers in the tristate area, and we have teachers ask to bring their students here to have them work on activities. Sometimes, we develop the activities, or the teachers will ask for activities to connect with information their students are learning at the time. Those visits are also opportunities for West Liberty students to interact with children and get field hours. So, the visits are a win for everybody.
Q: What is your favorite activity/event you have held with the Center?
A: My favorite activity is Trick or Treat on the Quad. A second-grade teacher at West Liberty Elementary started it 21 years ago, and the children would come down and visit the offices and the dorms. Now, student organizations, sports teams, and departments go on the Quad, and kids will walk around and grab non-edible treats from them. We continued the tradition, but with help from others, by having students set up different activities for the children. Each year, it grows and touches all sectors of campus, and everybody has a lot of fun, including the kids.
Q: What do you want students to learn or get out of the Center?
A: I want students to feel welcome here. There are students in here every day, once a week, or even just to copy something for class or because they need materials for an assignment. So, we added things over the years by listening to what students want. So you can come in for index cards or to play with the puppets. Its to benefit West Liberty students, and by working together, we are maximizing resources.
Q: Do you have a favorite craft project you have done? If so, why?
A: I do needle point, and I stitch hand painted canvases, and my favorite project is a stitched rabbit canvas for my younger sister for her 30th birthday that had 18 pieces. It took me off-and-on 2 years to finish it, and it was one of those pieces I would have to take a break from here and there. But it was a fun challenge.
