Dean's Brief
Now that we’ve thawed from the recent winter storm and freezing temperatures that welcomed us into the Spring semester, there is much to be excited about in the College of the Arts (CoA). Despite the challenges facing our state and nation, our faculty and staff continue to excel, focusing on preparing our students for professional practice, ensuring their degree completion, and expanding our college’s relevancy beyond the region. Our ability to move ahead, even amid difficulties affecting the University and the Acadiana community, is a testament to our collective strength and resilience.
We are indeed “Keeping Strong — and Carrying On.”
The collective focus and strength of our faculty and staff, which I speak of with pride, are delivering and advancing all CoA programs and expanding and creating knowledge benefiting our students as they enter the workforce and global arena. At the same time, we continue to advance the Arts and their importance to the sustainability of our greater society. These shared goals will evolve as necessary in a thriving, professionally designed curriculum linked to the rigor and outcomes of the conservatory education model in the Arts. Offering intensive, specialized training for students to learn through hands-on practice, real-world preparation, and performance opportunities in professional environments. Mentorship from award-winning, professionally credentialed faculty fosters academic and professional growth, through which students gain valuable career insights and connections, preparing our students for success across disciplines in the College of the Arts — both during and after graduation.
The College of the Arts is now officially a College of Schools at UL Lafayette, as approved by the Board of Regents:
The School of Architecture & Design
The School of Music
The School of Visual Arts
The School of Dance & Theatre
These programs and discipline-specific designations are the foundational platforms our faculty and staff have established over the past 30 years. They are the hallmark of the College of the Arts’ evolution and what sets our programs apart, both regionally and nationally. Our nationally recognized faculty deliver these programs, and our talented and committed staff support them.
As we approach the conclusion of our 30th anniversary milestone, the coming months will include performances, exhibitions, and lectures that will close our year of celebration with an exclamation mark, starting with our annual SPARK Awards on March 12. This year’s recipients include Lifetime Achievement Award winner Lee Allen Zeno, Lifetime Faculty and Staff Award winner Professor Emeritus John Hathorn, and Rising Alumni Award winner Alina Robinson. The celebratory event will be held in the LITE Center.
With donors in mind, we will host the second annual Dean’s Brunch in April, recognizing one of our philanthropic and generous benefactors in the Dean’s Gallery and Suite.
On April 9, the internationally recognized and award-winning talents of Jaimeo Brown and Transcendence will perform alongside College of the Arts performance and visual artists. Our guest of honor will be UL Lafayette alumni, pioneering musician, and innovative visual artist Richard “Dickie” Landry. The day will culminate our celebratory year with these lectures and performances in Fletcher Hall 134, which will mark the end of our celebratory year.
The College of the Arts has entered its next phase, and I am thrilled to have the privilege of working with our outstanding faculty, staff, students, and generous patrons who have continued to support us over the last two years. In the coming months, look for incredible CoA recitals and concerts, including the launch of the College of the Arts “Verge” publication, focusing on our outstanding alumni, students, faculty, and donors. The publication will premiere in late Spring.
Please consider supporting the College of the Arts by giving to the 30 for 30 fundraiser and help us raise $30,000 for the SPARK Annual Fund. By contributing to the College of the Arts, you are empowering aspiring creatives to make their mark on the world and shape the future of art, music, and design.
What a great start to the new year!
Sincerely,
DJ Moore
Dean and Professor
College of the Arts