2016 College Report

Tese national rankings are largely based upon the quality of the faculty, the talent of the students, and the successes of the dean is to help secure the resources, the facilities, and the donor A city that hosts the Olympics becomes a destination, and in the same vein I believe that Texas State has become a destination for the fne arts and communication. For faculty, staf, students, and audiences, Texas State is now a preferred destination, a place that provides a quality work environment, top-notch academics, expression, grant production, and applied communications are all increasing. With our new Performing Arts Center, renovated facilities, and C3 Research Center, the future is ever-brighter innovative CoSearch weekend incubates collaborative research that is becoming the gold standard in cross-disciplinary work. values of excellence, friendship, and respect. When we do, we make a diference in the lives of our students, and we create the conditions that can transform our community, our society, and to use education and culture as building blocks of a new and LETTER FROM THE DEAN WELCOME TO THE 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR In 1984 I had the honor and privilege of carrying the Olympic Torch. Now on the dawn of the 2016 Rio Olympics, I think about the symbolic signifcance of the Olympics and how it intersects with our endeavors here in the College of Fine Arts and Communication. Te modern Olympic movement was founded on the values of excellence, friendship, and respect, with a goal of not only promoting sports, but also culture and education, with an overall view to building a better world. Our work in the College is rooted in similar values and similar aims. As we face a world seemingly rife with confict and violence, how can our work as teachers, scholars, and artists efect change? Our expertise in communication, both in its theory and in its application, provides a conduit to promote dialogue that presents the knowledge and understanding to foster dialogue that can bridge a divided world. Likewise, our artistic expression can be a source of insight into our fundamental humanity, a balm of healing for our wounds, as well as a celebration of human creativity. Te Olympic Motto–‘Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger)’–challenges us to strive for excellence in teaching, research, and service. It encourages us to foster opportunities for students to exceed their initial expectations, to help them unlock their untapped potential. It demands that we continually innovate, to insure that we are ofering our students the cutting- edge knowledge and skills they need to succeed in an ever- evolving world. To fulfll that motto of going faster, higher, and stronger, we need to understand and appreciate our own culture within the college, the foundation of excellence on which we are building. Te ensuing pages provide a glimpse of our own “Olympic medalists,” those colleagues who have won awards as well as those who embody the values of fellowship that make our college a human- centered enterprise, with faculty, staf, and students striving for a common goal of fulflling potential and treating each other with dignity and respect. Beyond the individuals recognized here, I am immensely proud of the team efort and shared sacrifce that has gone into creating academic programs that rank among the fnest in the country. Since the 2014 opening of the Performing Arts Center, a sampling of external accolades includes: • Teatre, #9 Performing Arts Program in the country • Dance, #10 undergraduate program in the country • Art, #13 undergraduate program in the country • KTSW, #9 college radio station in the country • Musical Teatre, #7 program in the country • Communication Studies, #3 Master’s program in the country • Communication Design, top 11 Master’s program in the country • Opera, the #3 ranked production in the country • Numerous award-winning Music ensembles alumni. At the same time, I recognize that part of my job as support necessary for us to thrive and achieve our goals. cutting-edge research, and frst-rate art experiences. As a College, the quality of our scholarly research, artistic as we continue to excel across all disciplines. Likewise, our In closing, I encourage everyone to embrace those Olympic the world at large. Te Olympic dream lives in our striving better world. John Fleming, Dean August 1, 2016 02 | College of Fine Arts and Communication