Interim Dean Named for College of Humanities and Fine Arts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2001
Joe Wills
530-898-4143
Interim Dean Named for College of Humanities and Fine Arts
Sarah Blackstone, chair of the Department of Theatre Arts, has been named to a two-year term as interim dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts at California State University, Chico. She will start her new assignment in August.
Blackstone replaces Dean Donald Heinz, who is retiring after 16 years as HFA Dean. Heinz will continue to teach in the Department of Religious Studies. A national search for a new dean will commence in fall 2002.
Blackstone joined CSU, Chico last year as theatre arts chair. Prior to that, she spent 10 years on the Department of Theatre faculty of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. During her tenure at SIU, she served as theatre department chair and director of graduate studies in the department. Blackstone has also taught for two years at the University of Washington’s School of Drama.
Blackstone earned her Ph.D. at Northwestern University in theatre history. She did her undergraduate work in theatre at the University of Wyoming and earned a master’s degree in theatre at Kansas State University.
Blackstone is an expert on 19th century popular entertainment, and has published two books on Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. She is also a practicing theatrical director, and directed the production of “The Bartered Bride” presented at CSU, Chico last February.
“I am pleased to welcome Sarah Blackstone to the interim deanship of HFA,” said Heinz. “She will be the first dean the college has had from the arts and will no doubt bring a special perspective. More important, Blackstone believes in the ‘calling’ of the administrator and aspires to it. She knows that good institutions can become better through effective and collaborative leadership. As I return to teaching, I will be cheering for Blackstone and for the college from the sidelines.”
“Dr. Sarah Blackstone is a well-published scholar of American theatre history,” said Scott McNall, CSU, Chico provost and vice president for academic affairs. “She has worked in technical theatre and also as artistic director of theatre programs, including our own. Please join Dean Heinz and me in wishing her and the college success during this interim period.”
“I’m very much looking forward to working with the college,” said Blackstone. “Over the past year at Theatre Arts, I’ve had a chance to see what the college is all about and work with the other chairs. I’m eager to step in and help continue the work already started and move everybody’s dreams forward.”
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