Priscilla “Prissy” Sliva, left, stands with Dr. Gary Wurtz, dean of the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts. Sliva contributed a generous donation to support Stephen F. Austin State University’s School of Theatre and Dance programmatic efforts and to honor the legacy of her uncle, Denard Haden, one of the university’s most influential figures in the arts.
Haden, a beloved SFA alumnus and faculty member, established the university’s dance program and was widely known for his creative vision and innovative choreography. He taught dance classes, choreographed musicals and introduced groundbreaking techniques that continue to influence dance and drill teams to this day. His gift for staging and movement left a lasting impression on generations of performers and students.
“My uncle had a tremendous impact, not only on me and my family, but on so many in this area and beyond,” Sliva said. “So, this makes me very happy to recognize, remember and honor him in this way.”
Sliva’s gift includes two prominent naming components within the Griffith Fine Arts Building. The dance performance studio will be dubbed the Denard Haden Performance Hall, and the ballet studio will be named the Denard Haden Dance Studio.
“We are incredibly grateful to Prissy Sliva for her generosity and vision,” said Dr. Gary Wurtz, dean of the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts at SFA. “This gift not only supports the continued excellence of our theatre and dance programs but also honors a legacy that helped shape the foundation of dance education in East Texas.”
Sliva was joined by her sister Donna Abshier Houston, Class of 1966, during the announcement. The gift serves as a tribute to their family’s deep ties to SFA and to the profound impact of a pioneer who brought dance to the forefront of the university’s arts programming.
For more information on how you can support SFA’s Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts, visit sfasu.edu/giving.
ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY
Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 40 academic facilities, 11 residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering over 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.
By University Marketing Communications
