UMD News Releases

University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) School of Fine Arts honored four persons at its first annual Society of Prometheans Awards event. The October 9 program was hosted by UMD Chancellor Kathryn A. Martin and Jack Bowman, Dean of the School of Fine Arts.

The UMD Society of Prometheans was named after Prometheus, a god in Greek mythology. Prometheus was called the protector and benefactor of mankind, who encouraged inventiveness and productivity.

The Society recognizes accomplished alumni and friends of UMD, "who have demonstrated success and passion in their chosen professions and contributed to the success of UMD School of Fine Arts programs."

The inaugural honorees were: Beverly Goldfine, Dennis Lamkin, Robert Kase and James Doughan.

About the Honorees:

Beverly Goldfine
As a long-term advisory board member of the UMD Tweed Museum of Art, Beverly Goldfine was instrumental in the planning and addition of the Sax Sculpture Conservatory, and chaired initiatives to acquire important sculptures for the museum. She has worked with many fund raising efforts over the years including securing resources to produce the catalogue for the David Ericson exhibition.

Beverly Goldfine is a champion of those less fortunate, and also of education and the arts. Her commitment to providing low-income housing in Duluth led to a national award from U.S. President Gerald Ford. The Beverly and Erwin Goldfine Scholarship Fund for Academic Excellence was established at UMD in 1987 through gifts by the Goldfine family, friends and business associates to help UMD challenge students to pursue academic excellence, and to reward outstanding students for their academic achievement. Several students throughout the campus receive this scholarship each year including those in the School of Fine Arts.

Dennis Lamkin
Dennis Lamkin is the current president of the Glensheen Advisory Council where he has been a volunteer for 26 years. His passion and expertise in historic preservation has brought an invaluable vision to the Glensheen Historic Estate.

He is currently the Vice President and Senior National Property Manager of US Bank Corporate Real Estate and previous to that he was the Chairman and CEO of the Bowman Companies in Duluth, Property Managers and real estate developers. He has been an advisor on real estate matters to three Minnesota Governors and four commissioners of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board. Mr. Lamkin is the past Chairman of the Board at the United Developmental Achievement Center, the immediate past president of the Duluth Preservation Alliance. Dennis is the current president of the Duluth Public Arts Commission, and a current board member of the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra. He recently completed a degree in interior design from Northwestern University.

Dr. Robert Kase
UMD Alumnus, 1973, Music Education
Robert Kase has a wide background both as a performer and educator. He is an international trumpet artist that has heralded high acclaim from around the world. His performances as a trumpet soloist are in constant demand in both jazz and classical ensembles and have taken him on solo tours of Sweden, Norway, England, Germany, France, Russia, Switzerland, Canada, and across the USA. As a recording artist he has performed on more than 200 recording projects including four solo jazz recordings with his own quintet including his latest CD entitled "Those Paris Nights."

He currently serves as Chairman of the Department of Music and Professor of Trumpet at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. As a composer, Dr. Kase has published music, method books, and ensemble literature for trumpet, jazz ensembles and concert bands. He is an enthusiastic educator who believes in comprehensive education through the liberal arts.

James Doughan
UMD Alumnus, 1981, Theatre
In 1985 James Doughan moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in television and film. Among his credits are featured roles in the films: "Ruthless People" starring Bette Midler and Danny Devito, "The Mask" with Jim Carrey, "The Flintstones", "The Flintstones Viva Rock Vegas", "Stuart Little", "Stuart Little II", "Grilled" with Ray Romano and Kevin James, "Haunted Mansion" with Eddie Murphy and the upcoming feature, "Evan Almighty" with Steve Carell. He has starred in numerous pilots and guest starred on equally as many television shows. Mr. Doughan has appeared in over 100 national network commercials for products ranging from Honda and Budweiser to McDonalds, Country Crock and Time Warner Digital Cable. Most recently he completed two development agreements to write screenplays for Warner Brothers and Dreamworks.