Professor Darilyn Rowan, photography professor and prominent artist, has been honored with the Making a Difference Award for her outstanding contributions to Art Education in the city of Torrance.

As a part of the presentation she received a silver medallion, a $1,000 check which is to be used for the EC photography program and a certificate signed by State Senator, Ted Lieu.

“I was the first woman hired to teach photography full-time at EC and I manage both the photography department MAC lab and the wet Lab Photography Darkroom,” Rowan said.

Besides Rowan, the award was given to three additional educators by the Torrance Performing Art Consortium, (TPAC). It is sponsored through the TPAC, along with local South Bay newspaper, The Daily Breeze.

Robert Dalton, a photography lecturer, wasn’t aware that Rowan had been chosen for the award but believes that she was the perfect choice for the award.

“I’ve been working with her for more than a decade and I’ve never had anyone be more supportive,” Dalton said. 

Ulysses Dunlap, 58, general education major, thinks highly of Rowan and thinks she cares highly about the photography program and students at EC.

“I think she’s an excellent teacher, so of course she’s worked hard, and earned the award,” Dunlap said. “She uses her efforts to see that students succeed, and takes it full circle by showing how interesting the art of photography really is,” said Dunlap.

Rowen has made many contributions to art education in both the art world, as well as the campus. She hosted visits by the EC Child Development Center in order for children to explore the creation of photographic images made with light.

Each year she curates, organizes and installs exhibitions of student photographers in gallery and library venues, as well as on campus.

Rowen has invested many years in her interest in photography, and feels this is why she received the award.

“I was honored for 23 years of arts education work in the South Bay,” Rowan said. “I deeply believe that arts education makes a profound difference in the lives of students and can transform lives with hope, possibilities and learning to see the world from various points of view.”

Rowan says that her colleagues in the Fine Arts Division were encouraging once they heard the news regarding the award and are all very accomplished and work “tirelessly” to assist their students.

“She makes certain that all the equipment is working as it should and that every necessary item students and staff may need is always well-stocked,” Dalton said.

Rowan’s photographs can be found in collections around the world. Not only is is she known for being a professor on campus, but she is also known for her own artistic endeavors, outside of the classroom.

“I plan to continue my work as an artist. My photographic images have been published in numerous publications, including literary magazines and photo essay in which I did both the writing and photography,” Rowan said.

Her future goals include continuing to teach, both in schools as well as non-traditional settings.  She would also like to work with artists and their estates and artists’ rights.