WSU communication alumnus Donald Ritzenhein '68 '80 '99 elected to DIA board of directors...
Detroit Institute of Arts elects two Macomb County Residents to Board of Directors
Lillian Demas and Donald Ritzenhein appointed by Macomb County Art Institute Authority
The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) elected two Macomb County residents to its board of directors: Lillian Demas of Bruce Township and Donald Ritzenhein of Macomb. They will join the DIA board in January.
As part of an agreement following the DIA's successful millage in August, art institute authorities established in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties are entitled to appoint two members to the DIA's board. Demas and Ritzenhein were selected by the Macomb County Art Institute Authority, whose members were appointed by Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel and the Macomb County Board of Commissioners.
"We are pleased with the addition of these two talented individuals to the DIA board," said Eugene A. Gargaro, DIA chairman of the board. "Ms. Demas and Mr. Ritzenhein bring deep knowledge and experience in education administration and fundraising and will help us strengthen our partnership with Macomb County."
"Macomb County is very fortunate to have Lillian's and Don's representation on the DIA board," said Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel. "Both are highly qualified and respected members of our community. They truly understand the importance of this regional asset. I'd like to thank them and the Macomb County Art Institute Authority, led by Stan Simek, for their leadership."
Demas is a retired educator who worked as a teacher and administrator in two Macomb County school districts. She was the first principal appointed to the International Academy of Macomb, an International Baccalaureate School, where, during her tenure, students earned the second highest ACT scores in the state.
Demas received a Bachelor of Arts from Wayne State University and a master's degree from Oakland University. She is an arts education advocate and has been involved with the DIA throughout her career. Demas is passionate about education and understands the significance of the fine and performing arts in schools.
Her family emigrated from Greece when she was a child, and the experience of assimilating into a new culture fostered an understanding of the universal influence of the arts in culture and society. Demas and her husband are lifelong residents of Macomb County and have been active in several community organizations.
Ritzenhein is assistant vice president, Academic Human Resources, and professor of Communication at Eastern Michigan University. He has been vice president of Macomb Community College and served as interim vice president for advancement at Wayne State University. He was twice elected president of the Anton Art Center in Mt. Clemens, a volunteer position.
Ritzenhein was active in volunteering for the recent DIA millage effort and is excited about what he calls Macomb County's "new energy, diversity and cultural commitment." His lifelong interest in the arts began in childhood; his father and aunt used to give violin concerts at the DIA and his mother was a commercial artist. He is a longtime DIA member and was appointed in 2004 to the Governor's Task Force on Creativity, Arts and Cultural Education.
Ritzenhein received a bachelor's degree, master's degree and doctorate from Wayne State University.
The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), one of the premier art museums in the United States, is home to more than 60,000 works that comprise a multicultural survey of human creativity from ancient times through the 21st century. From the first Van Gogh painting to enter a U.S. museum (Self-Portrait, 1887), to Diego Rivera's world-renowned Detroit Industry murals (1932-33), the DIA's collection is known for its quality, range, and depth. The DIA's mission is to create opportunities for all visitors to find personal meaning in art.
Programs are made possible with support from the City of Detroit and residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
Contact: Pamela Marcil 313-833-7899 pmarcil@dia.org www.dia.org