SLIPPERY ROCK — Glen Brunken, a professor of art at Slippery Rock University, has helped hundreds of students develop their painting, teaching and art skills during his 40 years at SRU.

Now the art department has organized a tribute to Brunken to observe his 40th anniversary and June retirement, according to a SRU news release.

Department officials sent letters to 430 of Brunken's former students asking them to contribute a postcard for an art show, "Forty Years Later: 1969-2009." The exhibition will run Feb. 9 through March 13 at SRU's Martha Gault Art Gallery, with an opening reception from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 9.

The cards are already coming in. Some former students sent postcards from their own art shows and others lauded their professor, according to the news release.

The postcards will be tacked to the walls, then given to Brunken after the show.

Brunken, who received his master's degree in art from Wichita State University, specializes in abstract expression. His work is exhibited and collected internationally.

He paints from a home studio where he keeps a gallery as well.