In Memory

Cathy Mapp

Cathy Mapp

 


Martha Cathy Mapp

Date of Birth: April 5, 1953
Date of Death: December 27, 2014

 

Photos of Cathy and the AHS Keyette Club - 1970

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martha Catherine Mapp

Norfolk - (Martha) Catherine "Cat" Mapp, whose career in dance performance and choreography included featured solo performances throughout the USA as well as membership in many New York City based dance companies (Erick Hawkins, Nancy Meehan), died on Saturday, December 27, 2014, surrounded by family and friends. She was 61.

A native of Annandale, Virginia, Ms. Mapp earned a B.A. from the College of William and Mary in 'Artistic Expression through Literature and Dance' ('75) and an M.A. from Columbia University Teachers College in Arts in Education, Dance ('89). She was an Associate Professor at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY, where she founded the Dance Program, curated and directed the Iona College Dance Ensemble both of which she pioneered at the college. She was the solo Recipient of the Senior Faculty Award in 2013. She created the innovative Art at Noon and Art after Noon Series of Performance Events and produced numerous guest artists on these and other concerts.

As Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) Chair from 2006-2013, Ms. Mapp designed the FPA Minor Programs with concentration in dance, music, theatre and visual arts and promoted the development of varied course offerings in music, theatre, dance and visual arts. Ms. Mapp was co-author of the initial document for International Baccalaureate Curricula in dance, and was honored with the Hugh J. McCabe Memorial Award for Social Justice for her remarkable Performers for Peace Series on Diversity-Unique Voices, Common Language. She was repeatedly selected for Who's Who in American Teachers, and was featured in the 2010-2012 editions of Who's Who in America and the 2011-2013 editions of Who's Who in the World.

Ms. Mapp is survived by her husband, Harvie S of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY; a sister, Susan Mapp of Gaithersburg, MD; four brothers: Steve Mapp (Teresa) of Silver Spring, MD, Rick Mapp of Norfolk, VA, Joe Mapp of Kitty Hawk, NC, and Mike Mapp of Annandale, VA; an aunt, Mrs. Virginia Richardson of Bethesda, MD; an uncle, Dr. John A. Mapp (Betty) of Virginia Beach, VA, and many beloved nieces and nephews. 

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Catherine Mapp 2014
Hugh J. McCabe Memorial Award For Social Justice

Since the College’s 1979 commencement ceremonies, Iona has presented annually the Hugh McCabe Award for Social Justice to a faculty, administrator or staff member who embodies an exemplary commitment to social justice. Awardees have demonstrated through their work and contributions their exceptional dedication to social justice in building a more just and peaceful world.

 

 

Iona Dance Studio Named in Honor of Late Professor

3/18/2015

New Rochelle, NY (March 18, 2015)  Iona College will name its Arts Center dance studio in honor of the late Professor Catherine Mapp. The recognition is thanks in part to the philanthropic giving of Joseph M. Murphy '59, '83 and JoAnn Mazzella Murphy '98H.  Mrs. Murphy, a trustee of the College, also chairs the Iona College Council on the Arts.
 
Professor Mapp, who passed away in late December, was the founder, curator and director of the Iona College Dance Ensemble. She served for almost 30 years on the College faculty. A memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, at 3:30 p.m. in the Arrigoni Center on campus. At the conclusion of the service, a reception and dedication will take place in the newly named Catherine Mapp Dance Studio.
 
“Catherine changed the culture of Iona College and immeasurably added to the sense of culture and arts in New Rochelle and Westchester County, in addition to her contributions to the field of dance more broadly,” said Mrs. Murphy. “This is the least we can do to honor her memory and contributions to our students and the Iona community.”
 
Iona President Joseph E. Nyre, Ph.D., said, “Professor Mapp’s contributions to Iona and our students were extraordinary. We're grateful for the continued support from Joe and JoAnn Murphy, which led to the naming of the Catherine Mapp Dance Studio.”
   
Professor Mapp’s career in dance performance and choreography included featured solo performances throughout the USA as well as membership in many New York City dance companies. Her choreographic works have been presented in the Downtown/NYC Arts Festival at Gallery Henoch and Joyce Soho, 550 Broadway Festival, and Carnegie Recital Hall, among other venues.
 
At Iona, Professor Mapp created over 37 choreographic works for performances of student artist dancers both at the College and at community venues. She created the innovative Art at Noon and Art after Noon Series of Performance Events and produced recitals by numerous guest artists at these and other concerts.
 
“This is the most fitting tribute that can be bestowed upon our beloved colleague,” said Professor Thomas Donnarumma, who chairs Iona’s department of Fine and Performing Arts. “As Catherine Mapp created the dance program and built a foundation that educated generations of students in the value, the power and the beauty that dance could offer the world, having a lasting memorial that recognizes her invaluable contributions is truly a remarkable recognition that reflects her remarkable achievements.”
 
As FPA Chairperson from 2006-2013, she designed the FPA Minor Programs with concentration in dance, music, theatre and visual arts and promoted the development of varied course offerings in these same areas -- each with a focus on expanding student awareness and knowledge of the intellectual, cultural and moral history of the human experience as realized in aesthetic, creative expression.
 
Professor Mapp was the co-author of the initial document for the International Baccalaureate Curricula in dance and was honored with the Hugh J. McCabe Memorial Award for Social Justice for her outstanding Performers for Peace Series on Diversity -- “Unique Voices, Common Language.”
 
See more about Catherine Mapp’s contributions to the arts and to Iona College.