University Park, Pa. — Stressing the college’s unifying theme of diversity and creativity, College of Arts and Architecture Dean Richard Durst informed the Penn State Board of Trustees at their meeting today (Sept. 20) that the College is expanding as it enhances the education of many students in a technologically advanced environment.
“The College is on a steady growth curve - one we intend to continue - as we carefully analyze our size and faculty workload,” said Durst.
“I believe this is also apparent in the classroom and in our artistic events. Our students bring an excitement and curiosity to the classroom and studio and a remarkable professionalism to their work.”
The College leadership and faculty work together to enable more diversification within these classrooms. In the past year, search committees supported the concept with outstanding success in hiring women and minorities.
A more diverse student population also is appearing in the classrooms within the College thanks to more aggressive recruitment efforts. The Charter High School of Architecture and Design in Philadelphia, a school with a 95 percent minority enrollment, for example, will bring its entire junior and senior classes for a campus visit this fall.
“I have a strong commitment to the diversification of our faculty and students and to the introduction of world culture into our curriculum, which is shared by our college administrators and faculty,” Durst said.
The College is recognized as a leader among other arts and architecture programs at universities nationwide.
Among the finest program ratings offered through peer screening and accreditation review are: digital photography, top three nationally; musical theatre, top five nationally; graphic design, top five nationally; landscape architecture, top three nationally; and art education, top ten nationally. US News and World Report ranks the MFA in Theatre top 15 nationally.
Durst also demonstrated the manner in which students utilize technology in the classroom. The College has a shared minor in information science and technology and digital arts, and has developed collaborative work with digital photography and sciences. “We are using this technology to impact the way we teach and in collaborative research with colleagues,” he said.
Additionally, the College is in the midst of developing several online courses and will have a certificate program in digital imaging for the arts within the next two years.
Illustrating the College’s great impact on the many ongoing cultural opportunities at Penn State and the Centre Region, Durst highlighted programs centered around the study of fine arts, applied arts and design arts, and outreach units including the Palmer Museum of Art, the Center for the Performing Arts, Pennsylvania Centre Stage, and Music at Penn’s Woods.
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Contact: Allison Kessler, Department of Public Information at (814) 865-7517 or akessler@psu.edu.