Heidi Cruz-Austin, the director of the dance program at Muhlenberg, was recently named the new Lentz Endowed Professor in Dance.
Cruz-Austin began teaching at the college as an adjunct faculty member in 2009. A lifelong student, professional dancer, company director, and instructor, Cruz-Austin danced with the Pennsylvania Ballet and was a founding member and dancer of BalletX (Philadelphia’s premier contemporary ballet) before earning a Master of Fine Arts degree in dance from the University of the Arts. She teaches courses in ballet, dance composition, dance practices, and Black feminine stereotypes and archetypes through time.
Muhlenberg’s excellence in every program, including this one, is rooted in our people and our unique approach to the liberal arts. Heidi is an exemplar of that excellence and that approach.
“Cruz-Austin embodies what an endowed chair is meant to recognize,” says Provost Laura Furge. “As a teacher and mentor, she has shaped generations of dancers, choreographers, and future educators. In recent years, she has led the dance program as director with vision and generosity. This honor is richly deserved, and it reflects the excellence that makes dance at Muhlenberg so distinctive.”
A $4 million gift from James R. Lentz ’66 and his wife, Debra A. Lentz, dedicated supporters of the performing arts at Muhlenberg, allowed Muhlenberg to establish The James R. ’66 and Debra A. Lentz Professorship in Theatre and the James R. ’66 and Debra A. Lentz Professorship in Dance in 2023.
Jim, president and owner at Thermal Technologies, Inc., and Deb, secretary/corporate administrator at Thermal Technologies, Inc., are longtime supporters of the performing arts, in general and at Muhlenberg. In 2012, the Lentzes, who reside in South Carolina, established The James R. Lentz ’66 and Debra A. Lentz Scholarship in Theatre and Dance. They attended Summer Music Theatre productions throughout the series’ nearly 40-year run.
“Theatre and dance are a distinguished tradition at Muhlenberg College,” says President Kathleen Harring. “There are few institutions who can compete. Muhlenberg’s excellence in every program, including this one, is rooted in our people and our unique approach to the liberal arts. Heidi is an exemplar of that excellence and that approach.”
Karen Dearborn, founding director of the dance program, held the Lentz Professorship in Dance until her retirement at the end of the last academic year.
