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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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Governor honors former CSC art adjunct

Sara Labor
“Echo of the Past,” oil on canvas, was painted by Ruleaux in 1985.
“Echo of the Past,” oil on canvas, was painted by Ruleaux in 1985.

The Governor’s Arts Awards was held in downtown Lincoln on April 2. Donald D. Ruleaux, former arts professor of Chadron State College, was one of the honored guests, having won the Excellence in Arts Education Award.

The awards were hosted last Monday by Governor Dave Heineman. The awards are meant to shed light on the impact of the arts in the classroom, the economy, and the community.

Ruleaux is a native of Gordon who earned his bachelor’s degree in art education from CSC, and also earned a master’s degree from Arizona State University.

Ruleaux has held teaching posts in Vermillion, Lead, and Spearfish S.D.; and Hastings, McCook, Curtis and Gering. Most recently, he taught at Chadron State College from 2000-2010.

Ruleaux has also gained praise for his paintings and silverpoint drawings. His works often depict lives of the Oglala Lakota.

The Governor’s Arts Awards honored twelve artists this year who have impacted the arts in Nebraska. This year’s winners in each category were Anne Trumble, Emerging Leader; Connie Dillow, Excellence in Arts Education; African Culture Connection, Heritage Arts; Catherine and Terry Ferguson, the Leonard Thiessen Award; Blue Barn Theatre and Friends of the Midwest Theater, Organizational Achievement; Jun Kaneko, Outstanding Artist; Kathy and Marc LeBaron, and Joan Squires, the Thomas C. Woods III Partner in the Arts Award.