Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Bari Amadio, Denis Biagini, Margaret DiBlasio, and Dorothy Suomala to the Perpich Center for Arts Education Board of Directors. All are appointed to four year terms that expire January 3, 2011.

Amadio, of Rochester, works for the Southeast Service Cooperative and is a program coordinator for the U.S. Department of Education’s Teaching American History grant program. She is involved in community arts and education programs including serving as the president of the Rochester Civic Theater Board of Directors. Amadio earned her master degree in nursing from Boston University Graduate School of Nursing and is currently working on a masters degree in non-profit management from Hamline University. She earned her juris doctorate degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law in Hamden, Connecticut. Amadio replaces Kathryn Knudson on the board.

Biagini, of Plymouth, is a retired school administrator who worked at both the middle school and high school levels during his twenty-seven year tenure. Wayzata, Robbinsdale-Armstrong and St. Michael-Albertville are among the high schools where he served. He is experienced in all facets of school leadership, staff training and staff development. Biagini holds a master of science degree in supervision and instructional leadership and a bachelor of science in education from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls. He completed his work for his administrator’s license at the University of Minnesota. Biagini replaces John Patrick Davis on the board.

DiBlasio, of St Paul, is a retired educator and professor emerita from the University of Minnesota. In addition to her work as program head in the Art Education department, DiBlasio is an established artist and author. She has been the recipient of a number of leadership awards, has served as a senior consultant to the Getty Center for Education in the Visual Arts, and been selected as Art Educator of the Year by the National Art Education Association. DiBlasio earned her Ph.D. in art education from Ohio State University, her master of arts degree in painting and art history from the Villa Schifanoia Graduate School of Fine Art in Florence, Italy, and her bachelor of science degree from Youngstown State University in Ohio. DiBlasio replaces Christine Wilson on the board.

Suomala, of Dilworth, has over 40 years of experience in the field of education including serving as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and college professor. Most recently Suomala was the director of graduate studies at Minnesota State University, Moorhead, and served as the interim dean of the College of Education and Human Services from 2003 to 2005. She is a member of the Minnesota School Boards Association, Minnesota Rural Education Association, and American Association of School Administrators. Suomala earned her Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Minnesota, a master of arts degree in English from Moorhead State University, and her bachelor of arts degree in English and speech from Hamline University in St. Paul. Suomala is currently working on a master of science degree in counseling at Minnesota State University, Moorhead. Suomala replaces Jane McWilliams on the board.

The Perpich Center for Arts Education is located in Golden Valley. The Perpich Center for Arts Education includes the Research, Assessment, and Curriculum Center; the Professional Development Institute, and the Learning Resource Center, all serving teachers and schools across the entire State of Minnesota. It is also home to the Arts High School, serving 11th and 12th grade students who come from throughout Minnesota. The Center is governed by a board of 15 members appointed by the Governor.