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Dean John Bedford and Chairman Jo Rowan of Oklahoma City University's School of American Dance and Arts Management are being honored on August 4, 2001 for their contribution to the arts and entertainment industry in America. Almost twenty years ago they created a program that focuses on the American traditions of dance by including jazz, tap, and musical theatre into the curriculum. OCU is still to this day one of a few schools that incorporates all of these aspects of dance into their students' education. The St. Louis Tap Festival noticed Bedford's and Rowan's remarkable efforts in increasing the caliber of those in the performing and management aspects of the entertainment business. Throughout history, many individuals have acted as entrepreneurs and keystones to the arts and entertainment world. John Bedford and Jo Rowan are being added to an amazing list of people who used innovation and vision to change what had once been dreams in the performing world into reality. The students at OCU have been honored to meet people in the industry who have helped pave the way in the American dance world. Performers such as Honi Coles, Gus Girodano, Buster Brown, Cholly Atkins, and in the 2000-2001 school year Marion Coles and Donald O'Connor have all been honored by OCU for their generosity in preserving American dance. The St. Louis Tap Festival is proud to present its 2001 Preservationists Award to John Bedford and Jo Rowan for their outstanding efforts in molding well-educated and well-trained entertainers and unleashing them into the wonderful world of performing.
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