Eldon L. “E.C.” Cunningham, a longtime professor of art, passed away Friday, Oct. 1, 2010.

Mr. Cunningham was coordinator of the printmaking program in the Department of Art and director of the program’s Vicious Dog Press. A working artist, his work has been exhibited on the regional, national and international levels and is housed in numerous corporate, private and university/museum collections.

“E.C. was a wonderful teacher, talented artist and respected and loved colleague,” says Joan Foster, dean of the School of Letters, Arts and Sciences. “We are all so saddened by his sudden death and our hearts go out to his family and friends.”

President Stephen Jordan adds, “I know that Professor Cunningham leaves a legacy of alumni and students who were inspired by his printmaking capabilities and creativity.”

Mr. Cunningham started teaching at Metro State part-time in 1983. In 1985, he became a visiting professor and was appointed to a tenure-track position three years later. He was promoted to full professor in 1997.

Foster says he spearheaded the revitalization of the printmaking program. “The facilities were in disrepair when he took over, and he working tirelessly to repair and upgrade them so that he would have the facilities to offer his students top-notch printmaking courses.”

Cunningham was author of two books “Higher Education Logic for Printmaking” (2000) and “Printmaking, A Primary Form of Expression” (University Press of Colorado, 1992). He also had written the introduction for “Lynwood Kreneck Printmaker” (Isabelle Howe, Texas Tech University Press, 2003).

A past president of the Mid America Print Council, Mr. Cunningham held a B.F.A. from Wichita State University and an M.F.A. from the University of Colorado-Boulder.

Services are pending. Please watch @Metro for more information.