Women’s Center has new director and new artwork
A USU graduate lives “the golden rule” as she dedicates a piece of art to the university’s Women’s Center in appreciation for a scholarship endowment she received through the Reentry Student Center.
Niloofar Ziae was one of many USU art students who participated in the Golden Rule Project, which serves to create art portraying “the golden rule” and display the projects in middle and high schools to remind students of the old saying, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”
Patricia Stevens is the newly appointed director of the USU Women’s Center, replacing the past 27 years’ director, Janet Osborne, who retired in June.
Stevens said accepting Ziae’s art project was one of the first items on her agenda.
“I think it sends a very inspirational message to remind us of what ‘the golden rule’ stands for,” Stevens said. “These projects have been placed in some prestigious places, like the governor’s mansion. We are lucky to have one in our center.”
The art project consists of 16 “golden rule” formulations taken from different cultures and philosophies. It shows that no matter where people are from, everyone has the same ideas and people are inherently good, Stevens said.
Ziae graduated from USU with a master of fine arts degree in 2002. She is currently living in Germany on an educational residency. Ziae, who is originally from Iran, said she is honored that her painting was accepted by Stevens.
“I am grateful to the Women’s Center and what the Reentry Program has done for me,” Ziae said.
Stevens said she was particularly touched by an e-mail she received from Ziae, which was closed with the words, “We have all been touched by ‘the golden rule.’ Let’s hope for a better world.”
Ziae’s art project can be viewed in the lounge outside of the auditorium on the second floor of the Taggart Student Center throughout the month of October.