James and Kathie Lazerwitz Visiting Artists Fund
James Lazerwitz received his bachelor degree from University of Michigan in 1938. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II, and was awarded the Purple Heart due to his effort in saving one of his scouts while getting wounded in Cologne, Germany. While living in northwest Indiana, Lazerwitz owned the Lazerwitz Insurance Agency, served on the Gary Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors of Temple Israel, Temple Beth El of Hammond, the Northwest Indiana Arts Association, Northwest Indiana Jewish Federation, the Advisory Board of Indiana University Northwest, and the IU Eskenazi Art Museum. He was also a member of the IU President's Circle and the IU 1820 Society.
Kathie Coveris Lazerwitz received her Bachelor's degree in Business and Masters degree in Education from Indiana University. She was a teacher and reading specialist in the Gary Public School System for 15 years, where she developed specialized teaching programs. She was highly involved politically and civically throughout her adult life. She served on many boards and community organizations, including Indiana University, The Jewish Federation, United Jewish Appeal, NW Indiana Symphony, and Tradewinds.
James and Kathie Lazerwitz generously established the James and Kathie Lazerwitz Visiting Artists Fund to be used for general support of a Jazz Clinician Series where artists are invited to the Jacobs School of Music to meet with its students, discuss their craft, and perform. The Lazerwitz's have loved jazz music throughout their lives, and have traveled to New Orleans to hear the finest jazz musicians in the nation. They established the Fund due to their belief that it is important for jazz professionals to share their talents with students.