Adelphi honors Ruth St. Denis.

Ruth St. Denis came to Adelphi University in 1938 and started one of the first academic dance departments in the U.S. She lectured, performed, and lent her lofty and exotic spirit to the campus. Some of her dancers, including Jack Cole, taught modern dance and "ethnic forms." The school even held an annual Ruth St. Denis Day. In later years, Hanya Holm, Norman Walker, Paul Taylor, Carmen deLavallade, and Rebecca Wright taught at this Long Island campus. This month the Adelphi dance department celebrates its 70th anniversary with a gala to honor Miss Ruth while it simultaneously opens a new state-of-the-art performing arts center.

Frank Augustyn, chair of the dance department (which has 50 dance majors and 20 minors), has been in on the building plans for several years. He has made sure they have high-ceilinged studios, sprung floors, and windows to let in daylight. A former star of the National Ballet of Canada, Augustyn is thrilled with the new building. His grand wish is to fill it with 10 new courses by 2010 including improvisation, acting, Pilates, wellness, music, and a student-run company that performs in neighboring communities.

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The PAC has four large dance studios, two of which can transform into a theater. It also houses offices for Augustyn and the other full-time teacher, choreographer and scholar Trebian Pollard. The building has geothermal heating and cooling, energy efficient windows and lighting, and other environmentally friendly features.

The old studios were small and cramped, so the students are excited to finally move into the new building. "We've already seen a change in the whole spirit of the department," says Augustyn.

For the gala performance Oct. 18 (the tribute will run Oct. 14-19), Dalia Carella has choreographed a premiere in tribute to Miss Ruth. In addition, a major exhibit documenting St. Denis' career occupies the university gallery from Sept. 28 to Oct. 20. On display are rare photographs, posters, manuscripts, drums, a glittering sari, headdresses (including the one in the photo above), jewelry and an archival film (some items loaned by Jacob's Pillow and the Vanaver Caravan). A reception for both the Dance Gala and the exhibit will be held on October 18.