Buffalo State Remembers Elaine Polvinen

The Buffalo State community is deeply saddened by the death of Elaine Polvinen, professor of fashion and textile technology, who died on October 12.

Ms. Polvinen joined the Buffalo State community as a lecturer in the fashion technology program in 1991. She was appointed as an assistant professor in 1993 on the strength of her involvement with students, artistic experience in weaving and wearable art, knowledge of computer software, and industry contacts. She quickly helped to develop two new courses in the fashion technology program and served as faculty adviser for the student Fashion Club. In 1994, she was appointed to the graduate faculty. She was promoted to associate professor in 1997 and to professor in 2005. A year later, she became coordinator of fashion and textile technology. In 2008, she founded Runway, the department’s annual showcase of student-designed fashion.

Before coming to Buffalo State, Ms. Polvinen served as an instructor at the University at Buffalo, Empire State College, and Syracuse University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in design from Buffalo State before earning her MFA at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Ms. Polvinen had established herself as an artist through participation in juried exhibitions that showcased her fabric and woven art as well as her computer art even before joining Buffalo State. She continued to create innovative designs in textiles, fabric, and apparel. She also embraced technology, and she was instrumental in upgrades to Buffalo State’s CAD equipment and software that provided students with hands-on experience using industry technology. She negotiated partnership agreements that resulted in Buffalo State acquiring $2.5 million in software donations for the fashion and textile technology program, and she received 10 grants totaling almost $200,000.

Her publications and presentations spanned the globe. She spoke at events sponsored by the International Textile and Apparel Association and the International Foundation of Fashion Technologies, and her work was published in journals such as Surface Design Journal and the Journal of Cloth and Culture. Ms. Polvinen was especially engaged with contacts in China, and she was instrumental in a cross-cultural show, Inspirational Chinese Designs: East and West Interpretations, which was shown at Buffalo State and in Beijing. She was active in Buffalo State’s Center for China Studies and helped to establish Buffalo State’s relationship with Capital Normal University in Beijing.

Ms. Polvinen developed and maintained strong industry connections, serving as a bridge between higher education and industry. Her service to the college was extensive, including service on a number of committees. Her excellence in teaching is best demonstrated by the numerous students who gave presentations and received awards for scholarship and creativity. “Elaine was instrumental in the development of this department,” said Lynn Boorady, associate professor and chair of Fashion and Textile Technology. “Her commitment to the profession, the industry, the program, and most of all our students never faltered. Professor Polvinen mentored hundreds of students, guiding them through research projects and grants. Her students appreciated her guidance and dedication. Many have said they owe their success to her. We will miss her very much.”

Ms. Polvinen is survived by her sister and two children. A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, October 24, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Shepard Bros. Funeral Home, 10690 Main Street, Clarence 14031.