Purdue News

September 25, 1998 Purdue Black Cultural Center names assistant director WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Howard Sid Lucas, formerly an arts management intern with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, has accepted the position of assistant director of Purdue University's Black Cultural Center. In working with the council, Lucas' duties included serving as assistant executive director of the Leon Evans Dance Theatre of Philadelphia, as a marketing assistant for the Philadelphia Dance Company and most recently as special events coordinator for Mellon Bank Corp. Howard S. Lucas Download Photo Here Renee Thomas, director of the BCC, said Lucas' responsibilities at Purdue will include working with the four performing arts ensembles: the Black Voices of Inspiration choir, the New Directional Players drama troupe, the Haraka Writers creative writing group, and the Jahari Dance Troupe, for which he will be the artist-in-residence. He also will have administrative duties that go with the center's Cultural Arts Series. "In addition to having 15 years of teaching experience in higher education and 22 years of involvement with the performing arts, Howard studied dance as his primary art form." Thomas said. "He will be able to work with students to enhance their knowledge and appreciation of dance and other art forms and to develop their technique across the board." Lucas said he is excited about the chance to work at Purdue. "Purdue University is committed to promoting diversity and holds at its feet a gateway to global understanding," Lucas said. "This position gives me the opportunity to share in this vision and to be part of the cultural excellence that is the Black Cultural Center." Lucas has a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh, he also has a master's degree in fine arts from Temple University. Purdue is in the midst of building a new $3 million Black Cultural Center at Third and Russell Streets. The two-story, 18,000-square-foot structure will be almost twice the size of the current center at 315 University St. Purdue has contributed the land and $1 million toward the construction. The center serves about 35,000 people each year through its performing arts ensembles, speaker series, tours and other programs. CONTACTS: Lucas, (765) 494-3092; Thomas, (765) 494-3091; e-mail, rathomas@hfs.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page