LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 30, 2010) − Three candidates for the position of dean at the University of Kentucky College of Fine Arts will visit campus over the next two weeks. Based on recommendations from the Dean of the College of Fine Arts Search Committee, UK Provost Kumble Subbaswamy has invited the candidates to the university for on-campus interviews, including open forums. During these visits, the public is invited to hear from and meet each candidate as part of open forums scheduled at the Singletary Center for the Arts.
The provost commended the search committee for its work. The committee was led by Associate Dean Geri Maschio, of the College of Fine Arts, and Dean Michael Speaks, of the College of Design.
Subbaswamy said, "The next phase is to allow these candidates an opportunity to interact with the campus community. I hope our faculty, staff and students will attend the forums, get to know the candidates, and share their opinions about who will be the best fit for the future of UK's College of Fine Arts."
The three candidates for dean of the College of Fine Arts, the dates of their visits and the time and location of the open forums are:
Benjamin C. Withers, University of Kentucky
Thursday, April 1
3:30–4:30 p.m. in President's Room of the Singletary Center
A native Kentuckian, Benjamin C. Withers is the chair of the University of Kentucky Department of Art, where he also teaches art history. He served previously as assistant dean of the Raclin School of the Arts at Indiana University. As an educator, Withers has served the faculties of: Indiana University and University of Kentucky. He holds a bachelor's degree from Carleton College, and a master's degree and doctorate from University of Chicago. For more information on Withers, visit the Provost's Web site at www.uky.edu/Provost/files/Withers.pdf.
Wade Weast, University of South Florida
Monday, April 5
3:30–4:30 p.m. in President's Room of the Singletary Center
Weast, a trumpet musician, is director of the School of Music at the University of South Florida. He served previously as associate director for academic affairs at the School of Music at State University of New York at Fredonia. As an educator, Weast has served the faculties of: Stony Brook University, University at Buffalo, Mercyhurst College, State University of New York at Fredonia and University of South Florida. He holds a bachelor's degree from State University of New York at Fredonia, a master's degree from Manhattan School of Music and a doctorate from Stony Brook University. For more information, visit www.uky.edu/Provost/files/Weast.pdf.
Michael S. Tick, Louisiana State University
Wednesday, April 7
3:30–4:30 p.m. in President's Room of the Singletary Center
Tick is the chair of the Department of Theatre at Louisiana State University. As an educator, Tick has served the faculties of: Old Dominion University, the University of Rhode Island, Northwestern University, Harvard University, Rend Lake College, University of the Virgin Islands and Bretton Hall College of the University of Leeds. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Rhode Island, a master's degree from Northwestern University and a doctorate from New York University. For more information, visit www.uky.edu/Provost/files/Tick.pdf
The entire campus community will have the opportunity to meet with the candidates during their visits and to complete individual evaluation forms. Forms are available at http://www.uky.edu/Provost/FADean.htm. Return the completed evaluation forms in as soon as possible to Kris Hobson at hobson@email.uky.edu.
