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 Percussionist
Rich Holly was named Dean of NIU College of Visual and Performing Arts
Pending approval from the Board of Trustees, Holly will continue tocombine
his talents for the arts and business as the new dean.
"As a faculty member and administrator in the college for the
past 26 years, I've always felt that when I arrive at my office that
it's not just my place of work but rather my second home. The people
at NIU have always been warm, kind, helpful and motivated to excel," Holly
said. "To now serve in a position of leadership at the dean's
level means I get to work even more closely with many of these exceptional
people on a regular basis. I am convinced NIU is on a very clear and
strong path to
strengthen our reputation, enrich the lives of our students and make
lasting improvements to the communities and region we serve."
University administrators call Holly a proven leader. He has served
as
acting dean since last year and associate dean since 2001.
"As artists, no matter what field we're in, we want people to
appreciate what we do. I think it's important for us to take it to
them," he
said. "This is a way to engage the community and to get the community
and the university to engage together."
"The No. 1 challenge in the arts is always funding," Holly
said. "It's important to me that we start teaching our students
more about entrepreneurship and how to speak eloquently and passionately
about the role the arts play in economic development and the quality
of life. Theyneed to be ready to defend their programs."
Holly earned his bachelor's degree from the Crane School of Music
at SUNY-Potsdam, where he was one of only four music performance majors.
The 746 others were studying music education. After completing his
M.M. in percussion performance from East Carolina University in 1980
and teaching at Western State University in Colorado, Holly went to
the NIU School of Music in 1983 as an instructor. He became an assistant
professor two years later and achieved a full
professorship in 1999. He served as assistant director of the school
from 1996 to 2000.
As a percussionist, Holly was a founding a member of the Abraxas Percussion
Group and has performed with the Long Island Holiday Festival Orchestra,
the Lyric Opera of New York and the North Carolina Symphony. For 11
seasons, he served as timpanist of the Illinois Chamber Symphony. Holly,
a member of the Percussive Arts Society since 1974, served as its president
during 2005 and 2006. In that role he secured $3 million to facilitate
the society's move to Indianapolis. From 1986 to 2002, he was associate
editor for "Percussive Notes" magazine. During his months
as acting dean, he has managed an annual budget near $10 million and
secured funding for the Avalon Quartet concert serie and for the dance
performance program. He also acquired funding to support student travel
for performances in New York City's Lincoln Center and Costa Rica.
Now he looks forward to the "thrill" of helping faculty
to achieve their own goals - "giving them a nudge, opening a door,
making a connection" - and driving the college to "greatness."
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