Lee University Announces Leadership Transitions, Re-structure
Next week, Lee University Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Carolyn Dirksen will transition to a new role as Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence. Named as her replacement is long-time Dean of the Helen DeVos College of Education Dr. Deborah Murray.
Dirksen announced last year her intention to step down from the office. Her position is one of seven vice presidential posts under President Dr. Paul Conn. She is the longest to serve in the role of chief academic officer in the history of the university and has been on the Lee faculty since 1968. She holds the rank of Distinguished Professor, one of only five Lee faculty to be recognized with the title.
Murray has been on the Lee education faculty since 1980 and also holds the title of Distinguished Professor. She is the only person to have served as Dean of the DeVos College of Education. Her vacancy will be filled by Professor of Education Dr. Bill Estes. The changes will take place July 1.
This fall, the Lee University School of Music (SOM) will be undergoing reorganization in order to better serve the growing number of students interested in majoring in music.
The SOM will consist of three departments: Music Performance, chaired by Dr. Andrea Dismukes; Music Education, chaired by Dr. Linda Thompson; and Musicianship Studies, chaired by Dr. Phillip Thomas.
“This is a reorganization that the School of Music has been working on for a long time,” said Dr. Carolyn Dirksen, vice president for Academic Affairs. “We think this will bring clarity for students and better facilitate both communication between faculty and development of the curriculum.”
Previously, all music majors were divided into either the vocal or instrumental department, sometimes separating students with the same degree program, such as music education. This new structure will facilitate more cohesive units, allowing each student to be immersed with others in their field of study right from the beginning, whether it is teaching music, music performance, church music, or music business.
“Many freshmen arrive with a passion for music and know they want to major in it,” said Dr. William Green, dean of the School of Music. “We will now be able to nurture them in that path from the moment they arrive at Lee.”
According to Green, this will also allow faculty to create targeted opportunities for the students in and out of the classroom.
The Lee University School of Music offers five degree programs for undergraduates: Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Music in Church Music, Bachelor of Music in Performance, and Bachelor of Science in Music Business; and four degree programs for graduate students: Master of Church Music, Master of Music in Conducting, Master of Music in Music Education, and Master of Music in Performance.
“Another benefit of this reorganization is that it will facilitate a smoother path for those students wanting to continue on to grad school in their chosen field,” added Green.
For more information about Lee’s School of Music, please contact (423) 614-8240 or email [email protected].
(Source: Lee University)
