President Alan G. Merten recently announced the resignation of Sarah Lawless as director of the Institute of the Arts, effective June 15.

Lawless was hired in August 1990 to oversee Mason's newly created Institute of the Arts and its academic divisions, including dance, art studio, theater, and the visual information technologies program. She also was charged with overseeing all programming in the Center for the Arts, and making the arts pervasive in the lives of all Mason students.

"Sarah Lawless has played an integral part in making Mason a focal point of cultural life throughout Northern Virginia," said Merten. "Her leadership and vision have enabled us to strengthen and, in many instances, establish important partnerships. She will be greatly missed. Fortunately, she has laid out a clear path for her successor to follow."

Under Lawless's direction, student attendance at arts-related events increased dramatically. Such initiatives as an "Arts Pass" class, in which participating students could earn credit for attending events, and Mason's policy of setting aside 500 free tickets for full-time students for each cultural activity in the Center for the Arts have been major contributing factors.

Since 1990, Mason has become the home of the Virginia Opera, the Fairfax Symphony, the Northe rn Virginia Youth Symphony, and an array of exceptional individual artists in opera, theater, dance, jazz, and classical music.

"The George Mason arts program is unique in the country, and I am very proud of the work the faculty and staff have done in making it a true gem of a program," said Lawless. "There are also many artists who believe in developing young audiences and have given generously of their time and talent to make our institution an 'arts alive' campus."

Renowned artists Edward Villella, Peter Mark, Mark Morris, David Parsons, Jeffrey Siegel, and Dianne McIntyre were among those singled out by Lawless for their active participation and support of Mason's arts program. They are among the many performers and artists who have conducted master classes and seminars for students during their visits to campus.

"One thing we ask of the artists who come to campus is to take time for personal interaction with our students. This has proved to be very successful and popular among our students," said Lawless.

"George Mason University is one of the few institutions of higher learning in the United States that places an equally strong emphasis on the arts and high technology," said Provost David Potter. "Sarah Lawless has helped make us unique in that way. As we move into the 21st century, students need to develop a strong appreciation and awareness of the arts in other cultures. The many internationally flavored programs that Sarah has put together over the years have greatly complemented this goal."

Lawless came to Mason after serving as executive director of the Denver Center Theatre Company and National Theatre Conservatory from 1984 to 1990. Before that, she was executive director of the Children's Theatre Company and School in Minneapolis, assistant managing director of Minneapolis's Guthrie Theatre, and executive director of The Actors Studio in New York City.