A. Tage Wood
Most would agree that Tage Wood was the major force in the development of the University’s dance program. But to hear her tell it, there’s a lot more to the history of dance at Rowan than most realize.

“While I was the initiator—the one with the dream—I had a lot of help,” recalls Wood. Many supported the emergence of dance as an integral part of the University scene, including faculty, administrators and then-president Mark Chamberlain.

Wood began her career at Glassboro in 1968 as a professor in the health and physical education department. But in the early 1970s, when the “dance explosion” was sweeping the country, she said, “the time was right for dance at Glassboro.”

In 1971, dance became part of the speech and theatre department and Wood was appointed coordinator of the program. Professional dance artists were invited to teach, with Alexie Yudenich guiding the ballet program, Diane Hull heading jazz/musical dance and Melanie Stewart leading modern/contemporary dance.

On May 1, 1981 the fruits of Wood’s labor culminated with the University’s creation of the dance specialization track. “The program was a success because of the cooperation of faculty, the backing of the administration and the strength of the dance faculty,” she recalls. “The foundation that was established in those early years has truly been a catalyst for progress in dance at the University.”

One of Wood’s greatest professional accomplishments was organizing and initiating a community performance of the holiday classic, “The Nutcracker.” The 1981 production delighted audiences from throughout the South Jersey region with stellar performances by a cast that included area children and parents.

Wood taught in the dance program until retiring in 1987. In 1991 she moved to Arizona to be closer to family, and she soon found herself serving on the board of Arizona State University’s Friends of Dance from 1992 to 2001, including three years as president. She also initiated a dance scholarship at the university and has assisted with raising funds through celebrity dance performances and a scholarship breakfast.

She attends student and faculty dance performances at ASU and in her free time enjoys painting, reading and using her computer. She invites former students and colleagues to e-mail her at atwdancer@aol.com.

Wood misses New Jersey, but enjoys getting together with former students when she returns each summer to visit her sister at the shore. “My years at the University were terrific,” says Wood. “I would do it all over again.”

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Alumni can honor retired faculty by donating to a scholarship fund and other investment. Call Anne Hagan at 856-256-5402 or visit the Rowan University Foundation.