Kaleigh Grace

kagrace@lc.edu

After 14 years of teaching and dedicated service to Lewis and Clark Community College, Professor of Art, Jeffrey Vaughn will be retiring from his full-time position in May of 2021. 

Mr. Vaughn received his Bachelors in Fine Arts with a concentration in printmaking from Washington University in St. Louis in 1978 and a Master of Arts from the University of Dallas in 1983. 

Vaughn says, “The university environment is like a haven. A place where you can grow as an artist, be experimental and creative.” An affinity for the college atmosphere and teaching led Vaughn to teach at several college institutions in the St. Louis area, including Fontbonne University, University of Missouri St. Louis and St. Louis University. His time at Lewis and Clark Community College began in the Fall semester of 2007 as an adjunct and he eventually accepted a full-time position in 2014. 

Vaughn, who is a well-versed artist in a number of different mediums, has taught a variety of art courses at L&C, including Figure Drawing, Painting, and Introduction to the Arts, but Film Photography has persisted as the main focus of his instruction. Under his guidance, the photography class has flourished and maintained a consistent size and following, with many students returning to take the course numerous times over the years. The interest and success in the class can be attributed to the time and care Professor Vaughn has set forth for his student’s education. 

Lewis and Clark faculty and students have greatly benefited from Professor Vaughn’s passion for teaching and tremendous skill in the arts. One student, Krystie Morrison, says, “Taking film photography with Jeff Vaughn was probably the best decision when it came to my classes. He is an amazing professor and his feedback is always genuine and helpful! I would take his class a million times if I were able to! He will be greatly missed by all his students and colleges!”

 Vaughn describes his retirement from the college as a bittersweet experience and looks forward to continuing work in his studio, focusing on his paintings and dedicating more time to his photography. His work can be seen exhibited in the group invitational “Places” at the Center of Creative Arts in St. Louis, Feb. 15 through Mar. 15, as well as the Southern Illinois University Invitational regional exhibition at the Art and Design Gallery at SIUE in Edwardsville, from Mar. 1 to 26.