Established in 2000, the Rev. Anthony J. Lauck, C.S.C, Award for fine arts and visual arts, recognizes an alumnus/ae, living or deceased, for their outstanding accomplishments or achievements as practicing artists. Visual art would include video art (film maker using video), film, entertainment, photography and television broadcasting. Fine arts would include music.
Past Recipients
The 2009 Lauck Award was presented in January 2009 to:
Charles Kleibacker ’43 
As the recipient of the 2009 Rev. Anthony Lauck, C.S.C., Award, Charles Kleibacker ’43 is honored for his outstanding accomplishments as an artist. Charles serves as adjunct curator of design at the Columbus Museum of Art in Columbus, Ohio.
Despite his upbringing in a family-owned department store in his hometown of Cullman, Ala., Charles did not see fashion as a calling right away. He earned a degree in journalism from Notre Dame and worked as a newspaper reporter before pursuing graduate studies in retailing at New York University. He subsequently worked as an advertising copywriter for De Pinna, a specialty store on Fifth Avenue in New York.
It was when Charles left De Pinna to work for songwriter Anna Sosenko in the late 1940s that he realized his passion for women’s fashion. While on tour with Sosenko, who managed singer/entertainer Hildegarde, Charles was introduced to many couture houses, including Dior’s house in Paris.
Determined to become a fashion designer, Charles learned the basics of fabrics, draping and design. In 1954, he returned to Paris with a portfolio of his designs and landed a position as an assistant designer with Antonio del Castillo, then the head designer for Lanvin.
In 1957, Charles returned to New York where he worked as a freelance designer before becoming an assistant designer at Nettie Rosenstein, a well-established design house on Seventh Avenue.
By 1960, Charles had begun working on his own and opened KLEIBACKER studio in New York City. He soon became known as “the master of the bias” for his signature cut in women’s clothing, which encompassed simplicity, fit, and comfort.
Charles’ clothes attracted the attention of Women’s Wear Daily, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Town and Country. His off-the-rack designs could be found in such retailers as Bergdorf Goodman and Henri Bendel.
In addition to his own design work, Charles consulted on fabrics, design and clothing construction. While based in New York, he conducted workshops and accepted residencies at many colleges and universities.
Charles went to Columbus in 1984 as a visiting professor in the Department of Textiles and Clothing at The Ohio State University. As teaching and other activities in academia came to overshadow designing in his professional life, he closed his New York business in 1986. He became designer-in-residence at The Ohio State University in 1985, and remained on staff until 1995.
While at OSU, Charles sought opportunities to raise its profile in the Columbus community. He became a curator, developing exhibition projects both on the Ohio State campus and at the Columbus Museum of Art. Charles has continued his curatorial activities since leaving the university, working independently and since 2002 as adjunct curator of design at the Columbus Museum of Art. He also has continued his educational activities, through his ongoing relationship with Mount Mary College, an adjunct professorship in Kent State University’s School of Fashion Design and Merchandising and a winter 2001 teaching appointment at Columbus College of Art and Design.
Past Recipients
2008 John Saladino ’60
2007 Anthony Sorce ’61,’62 M.F.A.
2006 Rev. James J. Flanigan, CSC, '58, '63 M.A.
2005 John David Mooney '63
2004 William J. Schickel '44
2003 Jack Simmerling '57
2002 Lemuel Joyner '57, '69 M.F.A
2001 Jerry McKenna '62
2000 Rev. Anthony J. Lauck, C.S.C.
