Iowa State will lose a “dynamic” museums educator this fall.

Renee Senter, education curator for University Museums, said she and her husband are moving to Delaware, where her husband has accepted a position.

Senter said her future plans are to conduct private contracted services, as well as to continue work on a project for ISU and possibly look for a new position.

“She has been a wonderful asset to University Museums,” said Director Lynette Pohlman. “By making visual learning part of the curriculum, she helps students with their creative thinking skills, problem-solving skills and visual literacy.”

Senter said she volunteered at University Museums for six months before a position opened. She said she was particularly drawn by a silver collection at the University Museums, because she had conducted research in that area at her previous position as educational curator in Texas.

Randall Huff, adjunct assistant professor of English, said he has worked with Senter for three years. Huff described Senter as a dynamic, knowledgeable individual.

“She is multi-dimensional in her [teaching] approach,” Huff said. “For example, while showing the ‘Left-Sided Angel,’ she could talk about the history of the work, the artists’ story, the cost of the piece, or the controversy that surrounded it.”

Huff said Senter was very good at getting students to express their reactions to various works of art.

“I feel very fortunate to have been able to expose my students to Renee,” Huff said. “She’s a great role model … and a consummate professional.”

Senter said she enjoyed working with the students. “I think the multiple opportunities to work with students was one of the best things [about the job], as well as the opportunity to expose them to the collections and show them what art objects have to teach,” Senter said.

She said University Museums has been a well-kept secret, but she decided to make it a personal challenge to draw more students.

“Whenever I met a student who said they had never been here before, I asked, ‘Will you come back,’ and they always said yes,” Senter said.

Senter said ISU has one of the best public art collections in the country.

“So much of the art is about the various disciplines here on campus,” she said.

Senter said she feels the art of Christian Petersen is probably one of the most interesting collections on campus.

“His work is really unique, because he was here for 21 years and completed 12 major works of art,” Senter said. “That’s almost unheard of.”

Senter said she wishes she could take her job with her.

“Working with a group of people who are truly passionate about their work is very rewarding and very motivating,” Senter said.

Pohlman said Senter coordinated 170 public educational programs each year at ISU.

“We’re going to miss her a lot,” Pohlman said. “It’s sad to see her go, but we always wish her well.”