Violette Verdy and Kathy Ziliak Anderson Chair in Ballet
The Anderson's gift is a 35th anniversary present from Kathy and her husband, Gary, and is the first faculty chair in classical ballet in our nation. The chair is given to a masterful artist in the field of ballet, providing the Jacobs School with exemplary opportunities to achieve the highest artistic levels. In addition to having had a notable career as a performer or choreographer, the recipient is considered to be a superbly effective teacher, furthering the goals of the department. The inaugural recipient of the Kathy Ziliak Anderson Chair in Ballet is Distinguished Professor Violette Verdy (October 2010).
Kathy Ziliak Anderson is a graduate of the University of Evansville and IU. She also holds an MS in Library Science and Information Technology at Drexel University. In 1974 she met Gary and she saw her first ballet – she fell in love with both of them. Kathy is on the board of the Pennsylvania Ballet, and has also served as its Chairman.
The Violette Verdy and Kathy Ziliak Anderson Chair in Ballet is currently held by Professor Kyra Nichols.