Briar Cliff University Announces New Emeriti Professors
August 30, 2023
Briar Cliff University Board of Trustees approved four professors as Emeriti Faculty; Jeff Baldus, MFA, Tricia Currans-Sheehan, PhD, Sr. Mary Day, OSF, DMA, and Nan Wilson, MFA.
Baldus originally came to Briar Cliff College as the assistant director of admissions and the director of alumni relations in the 1980’s. His collegiate instructional career began as an adjunct instructor at Briar Cliff in 1997. Baldus moved to a full-time professor in 2009 as an assistant instructor, before reaching the rank of professor. He eventually became the department chair for art, before retiring after the 2022-23 academic year. Baldus is an alumnus of Briar Cliff, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Art from Briar Cliff College before receiving a Master of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Sculpture from the University of South Dakota.
Dr. Currans-Sheehan is an alumna of Briar Cliff College, graduating in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Dr. Currans-Sheehan began as an adjunct professor at Briar Cliff in 1980. In 1986, she joined the faculty as an assistant professor and quickly was promoted to associate professor, then professor. She is the founding editor of the Briar Cliff Review, a nationally recognized magazine. The Briar Cliff Review has recently sunset after celebrating its 35th edition.
Sr. Day, OSF, DMA is an alumna of Briar Cliff College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance in 1968, before receiving a Master of Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of Iowa in 1972. Sr. Day joined the Briar Cliff faculty in 1978 and retired in 2015. She has also served on the Briar Cliff College’s Board of Trustees. Sr. Day has performed professionally all over the Midwest and internationally in locations such as Austria.
Wilson graduated from Briar Cliff College in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts in Art and joined Briar Cliff as an assistant professor in 2008. She has also served as department chair and the curator of the Clausen Art Gallery until 2018. Wilson was a recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Scholar award, and her work has been exhibited all over the Midwest and Florida. Her work has been donated many times to aid community fundraisers, spreading a testament to her work and nature across the region.
“These four professors have devoted their lives to ensuring our students have the best experience possible,” said Dr. Shirin Edwin, Provost, Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Baldus, Dr. Currans-Sheehan, Sr. Day, and Wilson are all deserving of this honor, and we are grateful for all they have done to impact our community and continued support of Briar Cliff University.”