Wittenberg University issued the following news release:

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to advancing arts education throughout the state, region and nation, Corwin Georges, Wittenberg professor of theatre and dance, and the department's chair, has been selected to receive the prestigious Governor's Award for the Arts in Ohio from the Ohio Arts Council.

Since 1971, the Governor's Awards have been presented to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the arts in their communities. More than 100 nominations were submitted this year for a Governor's Award with nine receiving the honor. Award categories in addition to Arts Education include Arts Administration, Arts Patron, Business Support of the Arts, Community Development & Participation, and Individual Artists.

For more than three decades, Georges has educated, advised and inspired countless students and community members about the important role of the arts in schools and society. Outside the classroom, Georges has served in a variety of capacities as well, including on the State Arts Education Advisory Committee, where he advised the Ohio Department of Education and the State Board of Education on matters related to arts education.

Additionally, Georges has served as a steering committee member and artist for Project Start Id, a collaborative effort aimed at developing methods for identifying students talented and gifted in the arts; a teacher licensure program reviewer for the Ohio Department of Education; a steering committee member for the Ohio Arts Education Assessment Project, and a steering committee member of the Comprehensive Arts Education Plan for Ohio. Georges also served as a research and project assessment consultant for the Tri-County Educational Service Center as part of a Kennedy Center-sponsored Partners in Education Teacher Research Project.

Closer to home, Georges also willingly shares his expertise, including as a program evaluator and program assessment consultant for the Springfield-based Arts Interface's Infusion Campus, as a program evaluator for the Yellow Springs Kids Playhouse, and through service on the board of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, among other local boards and planning committees.

A panelist on numerous arts-centered programs, widely published, and a frequent presenter at professional meetings and workshops, Georges is the recipient of several awards, including Wittenberg's top faculty prize, the Alumni Association Award for Distinguished Teaching. He was also inducted into the Ohio Educational Theatre Association Hall of Fame in 2003.

In addition, Georges holds memberships in multiple professional associations, including the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network (KCAAEN), the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education and the Association for Theatre in Higher Education. From 1999 to 2000, Georges served as National Chair of the KCAAEN.

Georges, who joined the Wittenberg faculty in 1972, earned his A.B. from Morehead State University, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. He currently teaches introduction to the theatre, theatre improvisation, acting, child drama, play directing and history of the theatre. Georges also presently oversees the programming and promotion of the university's annual Witt Series, which brings to the campus and local community distinguished lecturers and performing artists of national and international prominence.

This year's Governor's Awards will be presented at a luncheon ceremony honoring winners and members of the Ohio Legislature. Hosted by the Ohio Arts Council and Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation, the event begins at noon on April 1, 2009, at the Columbus Athenaeum in downtown Columbus. Winners will receive an original work of art by New Carlisle painter Jean Koeller.

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