January-February_CollegeNews25

2 | January & February | College News College of Fine Arts and Communication | 3 COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION JANUARY AND FEBRUARY | SPRING 2025 CONTENTS ART AND DESIGN [PG. 2] DANCE [PG. 8] MUSIC [PG. 12] COMMUNICATION STUDIES [PG. 4] JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION [PG. 10] THEATRE [PG. 18] LETTER FROM THE DEAN DR. JOHN FLEMING On the cover, the Planters NutMobile as part of TXST’s 2nd annual PR Day (p. 11). Faculty, students, and alumni continue to be leaders in their field. A sample of highlights in this edition includes: Awards: Elizabeth Eger and Cindy Royal were named Regents’ Teachers (p.4, p.11); Marek Muller received the runner-up award for Online Teaching Excellence (p.5). Denise Cochran was inducted into the Texas Dance Educators’ Hall of Fame (p.8). Publications: Cindy Royal published an article in Journalism and Mass Communication Educator (p.11); Ian Davidson published a new composition, while Jose Garza published a book chapter (p.12). Nico Schüler published an article in Die Musikforschung, while Amanda Soto delivered a keynote address for the Society of Ethnomusicology 69th annual national conference (p.14). Creative Activity: Art faculty presented their work in New York, Massachusetts, Houston, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, and Corpus Christi (pp.2-3). Tammie Rubin’s work was acquired by the Rhode Island School of Design Museum (p.3). A screendance by Ana Baer, Michelle Nance, Amanda McCorkle, and Richard Hall was screened in Mexico, Portugal, Greece, and Japan (p.8). Hank Hehmsoth won a grant from the Aaron Copland Fund for New Music (p.13). Daveda Karanas sang a lead role in a new recording of the opera The Passenger (p.13). Vanguel Tangarov performed at the Sava Dimitrov International Competition in Bulgaria (p.15) Students: The LBJ Debate Society and Elton Abernathy Forensics Society defeated 14 universities to win the Texas Intercollegiate Forensic Association Championship; Luke Sides took the top debate speaker award, with RJ Jasso placing second; Taylor Tate won the state championship in Lincoln-Douglas Debate; Taylor and Josh Lockaby were 2 of 7 students named to the All-State Speech Squad (p.5). Miles Avelar was admitted to Mid-Europe’s Festival’s 2025 World Youth Wind Orchestra Project, and Abraham Cruz was selected for the Aspen Opera Theater summer program (pp.15-16). Alumni: Ronnye Williams Cowell was inducted into the Texas Dance Educators’ Hall of Fame (p.8). Adah Jones hosted an alumni flute festival (p.13). Shelby Acosta returns to Broadway in Real Women Have Curves, while alums in Broadway national tours include Trevor James and Eden Witvoet (Parade), Kyra Belle Johnson (Belle in Beauty and the Beast), Emiliano Morales (Chicago), and Rachel Webb (Juliet in & Juliet). Alums in TV shows include Taylor Aronson and Ashley Maddox (Law & Order), JaVaun Butler (FBI: Most Wanted), and Spencer Stevenson (The Z-Suite) (P.19). Community Engagement: Dance faculty offered master classes in New Braunfels (p.9). Dale Blasingame taught a drone workshop for the LBJ Institute for STEM Education (p.10). Music presented the 37th annual Butch Miles Jazz Festival (p.14). Theatre’s production of Romeo & Juliet included a student engagement night for local high schools (p.19). My gratitude and congratulations to all, John Fleming, Dean COVER PHOTO: Planters NutMobile as part of TXST's 2nd annual PR Day.