March 2020 College News

COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION MARCH ISSUE | SPRING 2020 LETTER FROM THE DEAN DR. JOHN FLEMING How swiftly the world can change. While collecting information for this March edition of College News , the world seemed semi-normal. Now the COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the country, and to help secure the well- being of all, the university has moved to remote delivery of classroom instruction for the remainder of the semester. I extend my respect and gratitude to my faculty and staf colleagues who have been devising innovative ways to provide our students frst-rate customer service and sound education in an ever-evolving environment. As we brace for the future, we pause to refect on the accomplishments of our faculty and students. In these trying times, it is gratifying to see the community impact we make through the fne arts and communication. Kaysie Seitz Brown’s CIM TEYA dance project continues to enrich the lives of San Marcos school children (pp.8-9), while Kaylee Williams entertained residents of an assisted- living facility in Tyler (p.13). And back when large gatherings were permissible, Communication Studies hosted our 4th TEDx Texas State (pp.6-7). While there are many impressive faculty achievements to celebrate, the remaining space here focuses on the university’s raison d’être : our students. Jameson Dunn and Hector Montemayor Perez won an award of excellence from the Broadcast Educators Association, while Haley Peters and Gretchen Lemmond won Silver Addy Awards (p.10). Te Texas State Jazz Ensemble earned accolades for their performance at the Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival (p. 13). Four theatre students advanced to the Kennedy Center as National Finalists in the Kennedy Center American College Teatre Festival; though the national festival was ultimately canceled, Caitlin Turnage and Lila Perlman were named national 2nd place fnishers in their respective playwriting categories (pp.14-15). In addition, Malik James was accepted into the Yale School of Drama’s M.F.A. acting program. Until we return to normal… be safe. #BobcatStrong FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! CONTENTS f inearts.t xstate.edu facebook.com/t xstcollegefac instagram.com/t xstfac twitter.com/t xstfac youtube.com/t xstatecollegefac ART AND DESIGN [PG. 2] COMMUNICATION STUDIES [PG. 4] DANCE [PG. 8] JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION [PG. 10] COVER PHOTO: Te Department of Communication Studies hosted the fourth annual TEDx Texas State University conference on February 15th in the Recital Hall in the Performing Arts Center. [ P G . 6] Photo by Albert Suarez MUSIC [PG. 12] THEATRE [PG. 14]