Gene Egger Celebration

Last week, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and family members came together to celebrate the life and many contributions of the Patrick and Nancy Lathrop Professor Emeritus, Dayton Eugene “Gene” Egger.

Gene Egger was an inspiration—a teacher, mentor, and provocateur—who challenged his students and colleagues to think beyond the familiar and expected.

The Cowgill lobby hosted an exhibition featuring Gene’s sketches, leporellos shared by friends and former students, and original work contributed by his wife, Dorothy, and daughter, Kirsten.

On Thursday evening, a symposium was held at the Holtzman Alumni Center, led by Professor Bill Galloway, with a panel of Gene's former students and colleagues—Sean O’Rourke, Burt Pinnock, Mitzi Vernon, and Frank Weiner—followed by a reception.

On Friday, a series of discussions led by faculty and alumni explored themes such as representation, learning through making, the role of study abroad, and Appalachian Futures.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended the celebration and contributed to the exhibition and robust conversation.