DETROIT, Feb. 16, 2006 – Wayne State University’s College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts (CFPCA) will celebrate the 29th annual CFPCA Awards (formerly Arts Achievement Awards) Thursday, March 2, 2006, with a 5pm reception in the Elaine L. Jacob Gallery and a 6pm ceremony in the Schaver Music Recital Hall. Both aspects of the event are free and open to the public.

Three outstanding alumni will be recognized for dedication to the arts and achievements in their respective disciplines. A leading Michigan newspaper and a professor emeritus and former associate dean will be honored for their service to the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts.

This year’s recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award are:

• Ernie Hudson (Theatre ’73) – 30-year professional career as a film, television and stage actor;

• Jack Kay (Communication ’74 ’79) – Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University of Michigan - Flint;

• Stephen Millen (Music ’87) – Vice President of Operations and General Manager, Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

This year’s recipient of the Dean’s Community Service Award is:

• Detroit Free Press – Award-winning, leading newspaper in Michigan with a long track record of supporting Wayne Sate University, including the Journalism Institute for Minorities, the Robert G. McGruder Endowed Scholarship in Journalism and the Hilberry Theatre.

This year’s recipient of the Dean’s Distinguished Service Award is:

• Richard Bilaitis (Art and Art History ’62, ’66) – Professor Emeritus of Art and Art History, former Associate Dean and Interim Dean of the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, founder and former curator of the University Art Collection.

RSVP to “CFPCA Awards,” via e-mail, ses@lists.wayne.edu, by phone, 313-577-0300 or by mail to Attn: Special Events (CFPCA Awards), PO Box 02959, Detroit, MI 48202. The Elaine L. Jacob Gallery and the Schaver Music Recital Hall are located at 480 W. Hancock St., Detroit, MI 48202, in the southwest corner of the Old Main building. http://campusmap.wayne.edu

Wayne State University\'s College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts is educating the next generation of visual artists, musicians, communication professionals and professional actors and dancers. The college offers 16 undergraduate and 12 graduate programs through its five departments of Art and Art History, Communication, Dance, Music and Theatre with students benefiting from expert faculty and state of the art resources. Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 11 schools and colleges to more than 34,000 students.