REINSTATE GLENN RUPERT

3:58 pm PDT, Sep 18, Nora Guschwan, Illinois

8:31 am PDT, Sep 9, Theresa Bentivegna, Illinois
Mr. Rupert made a huge difference in my son't life. He nurtured him all the way for four years. I just can't believe that you would let him go. Was it his salary level. I know that he is worth much more than you were paying him. Theresa Bentivegna

5:29 am PDT, Sep 9, Lacey Weil Ogbolumani, Illinois

8:19 pm PDT, Jul 29, Phil Robare, Illinois
Glenn Rupert, and The Academy, had a significant and lasting positive effect on our son. A kid who had trouble feeling he fit in in public school he was nurtured and inspired by Mr Rupert, found something he was good at, and did well in high school. This May he graduated with a master's in design and now works in Motorola's design group. A teacher who can have this sort of long term impact on a kid's life should be treasured, not dismissed.

3:49 pm PDT, Jul 19, Damen Corrado, New York
I just found out about this today and it is an utter disgrace.

10:17 pm PDT, Jul 17, Steven Jeffery, Illinois
Were leadership tolerated by mangement, we might be able to develop more leadership in our population. The insolence of Glenn Rupert is one of those trait qualities of leadership, which is bound to get one in trouble with "the people in charge"; though it's essential to educating people with identities sitting deeper than their colorful outfits. Our yuppies of today can't handle too much honesty, and should probably be told to shut up. It would hurt me deeply to see Mr. Ruperts term as educator end, before he thought he'd taught enough. Bring him back and put him in charge.

2:25 pm PDT, Jul 16, Ross Berger, Illinois

7:43 pm PDT, Jul 15, Caroline Burdett Burdett, Illinois

7:17 am PDT, Jul 12, Raiye Puffenbarger, Illinois
Although I did not have the pleasure of attending Mr. Rupert's classes, I most definitely felt the effects of his presence in that school. I find it appalling that he would be cast off in such a manner. I will no longer be recommending the Academy to teachers as a wonderful place to teach, nor will I be considering sending my children there.

9:44 pm PDT, Jul 9, John Nelson-alden, Illinois
Mr Rupert is the best teacher and general motivator I have ever had throughout my entire education... my family will no longer support the academy unless this situation is resolved. John Nelson-Alden

8:47 pm PDT, Jul 8, Jennifer Green, Oregon
Glenn created a space and a student body that every art school in the country wanted to visit and have his students attend their school. In a time when the economy is as it is, now more than ever we have to support the arts in any way possible. To remove a life force that put his students future ahead of his own at times, have you considered the long term affect of this shift and what it might mean to the health of the school on the other end? I actually don't think I have to tell any of you the importance of art in education. But with that comes committed dedicated teachers, with history and experience.

6:11 pm PDT, Jul 3, Donna Hayes, Illinois
What a loss of culture for our Chicago art students. Mr. Rupert, I say go over to Harvard. It's more your element. You deserve a break. You've pulled so many kids out of the trenches already, HARVARD WILL LOVE YOU. (I think Harvard pays more too!) I understand your devotion to the Academy though, so whatever you decide. My blessings, Donna Hayes P.S. Jeanette keeps your total philosophy and legend alive, as do so many of us.

5:47 pm PDT, Jul 3, Pat Tosto, Illinois
Talk about a loss of art for Chicago!

8:16 am PDT, Jul 2, Brian Hayes, Illinois
I was struck by Mr. Rupert's professionalism from the first day I met him when my daughter Jeanette had her incoming portfolio review, and my impression of him continued rising for the next four years. Jeanette loved all the classes she had with Mr. Rupert, and when I had questions regarding college applications Mr. Rupert was incredibly generous with his time. The school authorities have made a horrible mistake in their decision about Mr. Rupert, but I am optimistic that they will be flexible enough to reverse themselves. If Mr. Rupert were a bad teacher, nobody would care about the unceremonious heave-ho he has been given. On the contrary, all of these testimonials on his behalf make it clear that Mr. Rupert is one the greatest teachers ever to have worked at the Academy.

2:15 pm PDT, Jul 1, Dale Schwer, Illinois

8:23 pm PDT, Jun 30, Jennifer Schmidt, Washington
why would any institution throw away an institution, 30 yrs of impact and nurturing of creative minds that will be the future source of cultural communication????????????? Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!

6:59 am PDT, Jun 30, Craig Slocum, Illinois
As a former colleague of Glenn, I am shocked and angry over his dismissal. During my five years at the Academy I witnessed first-hand Glenn's committment to the school and his dedication to his students. What individual has had a greater impact on student's lives and promoted the school more than Glenn Rupert? Even contemplating his dismissal after 26 years is outrageous.

9:44 pm PDT, Jun 29, Mason Gold, Illinois
Mr. Rupert is an amazing artist and teacher who served the school for 26 years. By letting him go The Chicago Academy of the Arts is failing to maintain the artistic and educational integrity that it promises it's students.

7:38 pm PDT, Jun 29, Kimberly Cowan, Illinois
Glenn Rupert is an amazing teacher. He was an inspiration to my daughter and literally changed her life. She is now a senior in college on a scholarship that she may not have received without his guidance at the Academy. I can't believe the Academy let go of such a valuable treasure!

9:07 am PDT, Jun 29, Diane Barker, Kansas
Glenn has always been committed to a clear understanding of the importance of art in people's lives. It would be a shame to deprive students of the opportunity to learn with him.

8:03 am PDT, Jun 29, Remi Vales, Illinois

10:42 pm PDT, Jun 28, Adriana Chavez, California

9:10 pm PDT, Jun 28, Vera Napoleon, Illinois

8:01 pm PDT, Jun 27, Ken Bradley, Illinois
My life has been positively impacted by the work of Glenn Rupert. Please reinstate him.

1:00 pm PDT, Jun 27, Daved Beck, Illinois
I heard he was not told the reason and if indeed true, he is worth learning the reason as so he may gain awareness. Even though he was not a direct teacher of mine, I know many of his students and the direct impact this amazing teacher had on the lives of artists. Daved Beck Class of "92" Dance Major crossover in Theater.

12:28 pm PDT, Jun 27, Shannon Ialongo, California
Glen Rupert changed my life forever. His intense dedication to his students and the energy in which we learned from him will never be forgotten. It is a HUGE mistake to relieve him of his duties as a teacher, mentor and friend to his students. I had the opportunity to study with Glen from 1991-1993 and to this day of all the teachers i have had through all of my studies there are only 2 that impacted me the way Glen Rupert had. Now, Glen could be one tough cookie the way that only great teachers can be. I still know Gardner's ART THROUGH THE AGES from front to back because of that man, and for that...I will always have the largest appreciation for Art and be able to look at Art through eyes that have been educated by one of the best. Please don't make that mistake of letting him go.

7:13 pm PDT, Jun 26, Elyse Hahn, Illinois

5:20 pm PDT, Jun 26, Alexandra Adduci, Louisiana

4:38 pm PDT, Jun 26, Name not displayed, Illinois
It is totally unfair and inhumane to terminate Glen Rupert after 26 years. He has meant so much to the Academy and students including, my son, Michael Kandel. Especially with the economy as it is, how do you at the very least not offer severance pay, unemployment comp. and medical coverage? I would think twice before I would refer to your Academy because of the unfair way you treat your teachers.

9:47 am PDT, Jun 26, Marnin Schwartz-Lachar, New York

9:36 am PDT, Jun 26, Brock Manke, Illinois

7:56 am PDT, Jun 26, Fred Lawyer, Alabama
Glenn is an Outstanding Art Teacher

7:16 am PDT, Jun 26, Name not displayed, Illinois

7:13 am PDT, Jun 26, KellyAnn Corcoran, Illinois

5:27 am PDT, Jun 26, Jonathan Hagans, Japan
I cannot express strongly enough my support for Glen. I had the pleasure of studying with him from 1985-87 (Art for non-majors) and the impact he has had on me as an artist endures. I remain in the arts after all these years and the sensibilities Mr. Rupert imparted in me are a part of my career and my life. Currently I am the President of the Tokyo International Players in Japan and I find myself designing upward of 20 productions a year. This would never, I stress NEVER have happened without Mr. Rupert's influence. Do the right thing. Sincerely, Jonathan T. Hagans Class of 1987

9:04 pm PDT, Jun 25, Josey Dvorak, North Dakota

8:04 pm PDT, Jun 25, Taylor Lindsey, Illinois
I have no idea why this is even necessary, because The Chicago Academy for the Arts would not be what it is today without Glenn Rupert. I would feel terrible for future students if they do not get to experiance his class. It is very important that his job is reinstated immediately for the sake of the school itself as well as its future students.

7:55 pm PDT, Jun 25, Daria Amai Shelton, California
Dear Board of Trustees of the Chicago Academy for the Arts, I have been informed that Glenn Rupert has not received a contract for this and that newer faculty to the school have received contracts. It saddens me that such a great instructor and mentor has not yet received tenor from the school let alone is being fired after 15+ years of dutifully mentoring students to the undergraduate level of education and beyond. If not for the experience given to me by Glenn I would not be graduating from the San Francisco Art Institute this fall. I sincerely believe that you will make the right choice for the school and for an individual who has much left to give especially this late in his life. I hope that an institution as established as yours, even in these hard times would not put such a strain on someone who has maintained a key department for your portfolio. Best of Days, Daria Amai Shelton

6:26 pm PDT, Jun 25, Angela Lopez, Missouri

5:27 pm PDT, Jun 25, Diane Smolensky, Illinois

2:38 pm PDT, Jun 25, Michele Gorman, Illinois

12:45 pm PDT, Jun 25, Lawrence Gold, Illinois
I am the parent of 2 children who graduated from "The Academy". Glenn was a major part of their education with lessons he taught that they still carry with them to this day. Because Glen made their lives better, as parents, our lives are better. If you let go of Glenn, you will be letting go of a big part of who and what you are. Lor Gold

12:11 pm PDT, Jun 25, Karen Schuman, Illinois

11:54 am PDT, Jun 25, Michelle Rosenberg, New York
i am outraged by the thought of Mr. Rupert being terminated. Mr. Rupert was hands down the best teacher I encountered at the Academy. His dedication and influence as an educator was and continues to be unmatched among his peers. The Academy is making a big mistake and risks losing respect (and support) from an artist community it helped to create.

11:47 am PDT, Jun 25, Max Gold, Illinois

10:46 am PDT, Jun 25, Jamie Harrold REINSTATE GLENN RUPERT, New York
Even though, I was a theater major at The Academy in 1984-86. I often was very encouraged by Glenn Ruperts encouragement. and that meant so much to me, because everyone thought he was such a genius, and had so much Gravitas that every student was influenced and respected by Mr. Ruperts influence. I find it a shame that The Academy would not be there for him, when he was there for us. my acting credits fyi. (Erin Brockovich, The Sum of all Fears, The Score, To Wong Foo-Thanks For everything Julie Newmar-- etc. ).

10:07 am PDT, Jun 25, Trina (Burek) Ingebrigtsen, Illinois
Firing Glenn Rupert simply does not make sense for the Academy. Enrollment is a paramount concern for an institution like the Academy. When Glenn Rupert was head of the Art Department, enrollment soared to the point that there was barely room for all of his students. Since he stepped down from that position, enrollment has dropped dramatically. Is it now 1/2 or 1/4 of what is was at its highest point? Glenn has high expectations for his students and does not hesitate to communicate those expectations forthrightly. When students listen to his advice, their growth is exponential. Those rigorous standards should be defended and endorsed by the administration. Doing so only promotes excellence throughout the establishment. In the end, it is this sense of excellence that attracts students and allows parents to feel confident about entrusting the education of their children to the Academy and, in challenging economic times, enables parents to feel certain they are making a wise investment of a substantial amount of money. The Academy should be looking for ways to support Glenn Rupert, so that his knowledge and experience could continue to benefit the community for as long as possible. His termination is a monumental mistake. I hope, for the Academy's sake, that it is a mistake that can still be rectified, that pride and politics will not prove to be insurmountable obstacles to doing what is so clearly best for the institution.

8:59 am PDT, Jun 25, Shannon Lunkes Goldman, Illinois
I think it is horrendous to treat a person like this, particularly in a time of economic crisis. It is irresponsible to leave such a loyal and valuable teacher high and dry when he has given the school so much. It also sends a very bad message to all the art students past, present, and future about the security of an art career.

8:14 am PDT, Jun 25, Jay Mueller, Ohio

7:51 am PDT, Jun 25, KC Lupp, Oklahoma

7:30 am PDT, Jun 25, Julie Zordani nowak, Illinois

7:15 am PDT, Jun 25, Barb Natividad, Illinois
Although the board meeting has passed, as a former student of Glenn Rupert's, I wish to show my support for his reinstatement. I took his class for non-majors and he helped me discover a latent artistic talent I never knew I had. I can only imagine how well he has fostered that talent in his art students.

5:47 am PDT, Jun 25, Mary Katie Leech, Illinois

5:21 am PDT, Jun 25, Colin Griffin, Illinois
Keep the people that are great at what they do, not the ones that save you money. This is good business. Glenn Rupert seems to have become great at what he does.

2:59 am PDT, Jun 25, Julie Matheis, Hawaii

10:28 pm PDT, Jun 24, Barb (Fagin) Murvihill, Illinois
Please reinstate Mr. Rupert NOW!

9:47 pm PDT, Jun 24, Don Schnitzius, Illinois
Glenn Rupert took a high school program that consisted of a collection of "art students" floundering about in their unfocused creativity, and created an Art Department among the best any high school in America has ever had -- with a vision of the purpose of a life in the Arts, focused educational goals, and a path to continuing education that includes planning for and securing financial aid. More importantly, he is a source of institutional memory for an education institution that aspires after relevance in the cultural landscape of Chicago, and his loss would remove an important link between the Academy and its alumni (and our potential donations). I recognize that this organization is under constant threat of closing down due to budget shortfalls and other problems, but removing Glenn Rupert from the teaching staff is not a competent administrative decision. As an alumni of the second graduating class of Academy students, it is my opinion that finding the means to retain this font of talent, proven ability, experience and -- again -- institutional memory is a wise investment, and would be seen by many of us as evidence that the Chicago Academy for the Arts continues to pursue educational and community goals that we can support wholeheartedly.

9:15 pm PDT, Jun 24, Pat Embers, Kansas
Glenn Rupert is one of the most respected and sought after art administrators and teachers in Chicago and the midwest. Keep him in charge of The Chicago Academy of Art to continue and secure high-level art instruction in this part of the country where it is needed most.

7:49 pm PDT, Jun 24, Kendall Kerr, Missouri

5:42 pm PDT, Jun 24, Shirley Miller, Illinois
I would like to know the reasoning behind Mr. Rupert's lack of continuing employment. There were few teachers who had an effect on my son's life - Glenn was one of them. After so many years at the Academy, this change is disconcerting.

4:59 pm PDT, Jun 24, Leslie Nash Tookey, California
Glenn Rupert has been one the most influential people in my life. In addition to his tremendous abilities as a teacher and as an artist, his dedication, sensitivity and commitment to his students is unparalleled. I think this petition is evidence of that, surely. I would not feel comfortable making any kind of positive recommendation to a young, aspiring artist to attend The Academy based on the Administration's apparent new vision for the school. I believe The Academy is on its way to becoming a very ordinary place without the extrordinary contributions of a teacher like Glenn Rupert. Leslie Nash Class of '87

3:33 pm PDT, Jun 24, Tod Machin, Kansas

2:52 pm PDT, Jun 24, Bogusia Ryndak-Mazur, Illinois

2:50 pm PDT, Jun 24, Jamie Gangi, Illinois

1:21 pm PDT, Jun 24, Tina Howard, Illinois

11:50 am PDT, Jun 24, Margaret Brede, RN, BSN, Missouri
I have known Glenn for many years, and was a student of his when I went back to college. He is a wonderful teacher and I remember many of his instructions in drawing. It will be a loss for your school and your students to let Glenn Rupert go.

10:17 am PDT, Jun 24, Mary DiBiasio, New York

9:36 am PDT, Jun 24, Andrea Gambino, Illinois