Topic: College of Fine Arts
March 28, 2019
Dr. Seth Beckman
Dr. Seth Beckman will join the leadership team at Ball State University as dean of the College of Fine Arts, Susana Rivera-Mills, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, announced today. His appointment starts July 1, 2019.
“Seth brings a collaborative leadership style that will serve the College of Fine Arts well,” Provost Rivera-Mills said. “He has solid experience serving as a dean, and he is passionate about the arts in a way that engages communities. His approach cultivates an environment that makes the arts accessible. I look forward to working with him to move the college to the next level in exciting and innovative ways.”
A Ball State alumnus who earned his master of music and doctor of arts at the University, Dr. Beckman currently serves as dean of the Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University, a position he has held since 2014. Previously, he held academic and administrative positions at Florida State University College of Music in Tallahassee, the School of Music at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Bemidji State University in Minnesota, Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, and Manchester College (now Manchester University) in North Manchester, Indiana.
“It is a distinct privilege to be selected to serve as the next dean of Ball State’s College of Fine Arts and to join the campus leadership team guided by President Mearns and Provost Rivera-Mills,” Dr. Beckman said. “This opportunity is all the more meaningful because it enables me to serve the institution that has given me so much. Rich in its history, Ball State is positioned beautifully to both honor and respect its past while innovating for the future: through lasting commitments to excellence, relevance, partnerships, sustainability, impact, and community engagement in our ever-evolving world.
“Artists and creatives are advocates, entrepreneurs, and collaborators — leaders in connecting the wonderfully diverse and vibrant tapestries of our cultures and societies. I am thrilled to join the College of Fine Arts at this pivotal time. I look forward to partnering with faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community supporters in advancing even further the many high-impact contributions of the College of Fine Arts community.”
Provost Rivera-Mills said she is grateful to Dr. Michael O’Hara for his service as interim dean of the College of Fine Arts during this process and appreciates everyone who participated in the search.