Southern Miss Alumna 简•拉森 Gifts Artwork to University

星期五, 05/03/2024 - 09:25am 作者:大卫·提斯代尔

Jan Holifield Larsen ’83 got the inspiration she’d been looking for upon opening the invitation to the investiture ceremony of University of Southern Mississippi President Dr. 约瑟夫年代. 保罗, a friend and mentor from her days as a Southern Miss student.

对博士的邀请. 保罗’s formal installation as president featured an embossed replica of “The Dome,” as the University’s Aubrey Keith Lucas Administration Building has been affectionately known for generations. Larsen, an artist living in Texas and a dedicated alumna, had been commissioned by Dr. 保罗为他创作了一件艺术品 建筑.

The word “iconic” immediately came to mind as Larsen looked over the invitation, for 不止一个原因. 在她看来，Dr. 保罗 and the historic building housing his office are equally symbolic of USM – one being a living, breathing representative of the school who’s inspired her and countless of its current and former students to achieve their goals, the other a nearly century-old centerpiece campus edifice 与金鹰亲密无间. The choice for the title was apparent: “The 图标” now hangs in 建筑’s President’s Conference Room.

“当博士. 保罗 commissioned me to do a painting for the Administration Building, I was humbled and 荣誉ed,” Larsen recounted. “I wanted to make sure I didn’t let him 下来.” A reception and presentation by the artist of the painting was held in early 三月，和博士. 和夫人. 保罗 and others on hand for the event.

“But how ironic was it to be asked to paint an icon for an individual who is an icon 对我们中的许多人来说?她接着说. “It was very easy to name this painting ‘The 图标’.”

While spending approximately 75 hours working on her abstract depiction of the Administration Building, Larsen reflected on the foundation USM gave her “to go out and create a meaningful career and establish some lifetime relationships along the way.”

During her time as a student, President 保罗, who was then a Division of Student Affairs administrator, encouraged her to interview for Southern Style, the select group of student leaders who wear gold blazers and connect incoming students to the institution.

拉森说，这是通过博士. 保罗’s encouragement and the opportunity to be a part of Southern Style that “made my college years extra special,” Larsen recounted, further noting she still considers it an 荣誉 to have served as one of its members.

“I’m extremely grateful for that foundation and the impact Dr. 保罗对我的看法 as well as the thousands of other former and current students in his sphere of influence 和指导，”拉森说. “He is truly ‘The USM 图标’ of our time.”

“When The 图标 was revealed to us, I was blown away!”医生说。. 保罗. “简是一个敬业的人 alumna, a talented artist and a great friend. 她努力工作了很长时间 this piece special and then generously gifted it to her alma mater. 我很自豪 have her artwork on display in The Dome for all to see and enjoy.”

A native of Hattiesburg, Larsen and her family moved to Taylorsville when she was three, where her father had bought a hardware store. 在那里读完高中后， she decided to attend USM to major in education; in addition to her participation in Southern Style, she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and served as a Resident Assistant at the University, while also working in its Wilbur (Panhellenic) Residence 大厅.

Following a career in cardiac medical device sales, Larsen decided to pursue a lifelong interest in art, taking an art class in the early 2000s as part of a new year’s resolution. That decision led her to a productive 20-plus year career as an artist, with her paintings hanging in homes across the country.

“Each painting I do is unique, and I enjoy the way each piece evolves over time and guides me through completion,” Larsen said. “I enjoy painting larger format paintings and use acrylic paint with various layers of color and texture.” 

Larsen says she draws inspiration for her art from the serene beauty of the Texas Hill Country, along with “events that stir my soul, insightful quotes, profound wisdom that comes from books, especially the Bible, and also from meaningful friendships.” 

“I always sign my work with a tiny wooden cross as a reminder of my faith and the blessings in life,” Larsen further noted. “I also try to incorporate a few sparkles into each painting because I love to see the sparkles in everyday life.”

Larsen says it brought her immense joy to present “The 图标” to the University. “振子结构 will always be very near and dear to my heart,” she said. “我很感谢这个伟大的 荣誉.”

(USM摄影:Kelly Dunn)