24 Years of Art and Education: Schoenfielder Says Goodbye

Spring of 2020 marks the end of art professor Lisa Schoenfielder’s 24 years at Viterbo. She arrived in 1996 when she heard about both the liberal arts and strong arts programs and has been teaching ever since. Another key piece that attracted her to Viterbo was the focus on Franciscan values. She stated, “I was interested in the Franciscan mission that the FSPA brought to student life and beyond through their teachings and actions.” Once she arrived here, she was impressed with the school and the faculty, and she loved how they welcomed her into the community.

When it came to the choice of what to teach, the art field was a natural fit for Schoenfielder. She explained, “I was born into a family where aspects of art and design were a part of everyday life.” Growing up surrounded by art and the appreciation of it made it easier for her to step into the role of teaching others to also grow their skills and do what they love.

Reflecting on her time as an art professor, she says that her favorite part has been the entire teaching process and “how growth and change is a part of this work” while the students are her favorite part of Viterbo. This growth and change that Schoenfielder loves needs to be cultivated and nourished, and there is no doubt that she is just the professor to do this.

When asked if she had any messages she would like to leave Viterbo students with to, she quotes a passage from Walker Percy’s 1961 novel, “The Moviegoer”:

“What is the nature of the search? you ask. Really it is very simple, at least for a fellow like me; so simple that it is easily overlooked. The search is what anyone would undertake if he were not sunk in the everydayness of his own life. This morning, for example, I felt as if I had come to myself on a strange island. And what does such a cast away do? Why he pokes around the neighborhood and he doesn’t miss a trick. To become aware of the search is to be onto something. Not to be onto something is to be in despair.”

This quote inspires students to continue the search throughout all aspects in life and to not get stuck in the everydayness Percy mentions. It is not necessary to have all the answers, or to even know what to look for, as long as we continue to exercise the search, and over her years at Viterbo, it is clear Schoenfielder inspired students to continue their own searches in life.

Looking into retirement, Schoenfielder is excited to spend time working in her studio and being outdoors. She wants to thank all of her students past and present, and to the entire Viterbo community. There is no question that she has had a strong impact on her students and those around her, and her presence will be sincerely missed on Viterbo’s campus.