The long-time associate professor of art died unexpectedly on March 9.
Dear members of the Elon community,
I am deeply saddened to share the news that long-time Associate Professor of Art L.M. Wood passed away in her sleep yesterday. We received the news from her husband, David Schaeffer, who is also a member of our community and has taught classes in the art department.
All members of the campus community are invited to a Gathering of Friends in memory of Professor Wood at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday in the Sacred Space of the Numen Lumen Pavilion.
L.M. joined the Elon faculty in 2000. In her teaching, Wood believed that students are central partners in learning where equal emphasis is placed on technical and formal development and concept building. Her academic and creative focus was on blending digital technologies with traditional artistic processes, and she taught courses on digital art, static imaging, interactive art, photography, fibers and 3D modeling, visualization and printing. She was honored in 2009 with the Excellence in Teaching Award from Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences.
L.M. presented and exhibited her artwork nationally including exhibitions at the Museum of Design in Atlanta, the Center for Craft, Creativity and Design in Asheville, N.C., and the North Dakota Museum of Art in Grand Forks. Her experimental works have won a host of awards, including a grant from the Kentucky Foundation for Women and a Visual Arts Fellowship from the North Carolina Arts Council.
She and David Schaeffer established Eclectic Moose Studio in 1991 for their artwork, posting creative projects online. Her art explored the intersection between reality and history, celebrating how memory is represented through her surreal narratives and the juxtaposition of materials.
Professor Wood earned a bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead, and master of fine arts degrees from the University of Cincinnati and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
Those who knew L.M. may benefit from speaking with a staff member or counselor about this loss. Elon’s counseling staff and the chaplain’s staff are available as we begin the grieving process. Anyone who would like to talk about their feelings of loss or concern for others may contact Counseling Services at 336-278-7280 or the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life at 336-278-7729. Counselors are available after hours on call by contacting Campus Safety and Police at 336-278-5555. The Student Life administrator-on-call may also be reached at 336-278-5555 at any time.
Please join me in sending prayers of thanks for the contributions L.M. made to the Elon community and to ask for healing grace for those who loved her and are deeply saddened by her loss.
In deepest sorrow,
Connie Book
President