Blackstone Appointed Dean of College of Humanities and Fine Arts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2002
Joe Wills
530-898-4143
Blackstone Appointed Dean of College of Humanities and Fine Arts
Professor Sarah Blackstone, interim dean of California State University, Chico’s College of Humanities and Fine Arts since August 2001, has been appointed dean of the college, effective July 1.
Blackstone assumed the position of interim dean when Professor Donald Heinz stepped down in 2001 after 16 years as dean. She came to CSU, Chico in fall 2000 as chair of the Department of Theatre Arts.
Before coming to CSU, Chico, Blackstone 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 also taught for two years at the University of Washington’s School of Drama.
“Dr. Blackstone is a well-known national scholar of Buffalo Bill and the American West and brings a wide range of experience as a teacher, scholar, and administrator to her new position,” said Scott McNall, CSU, Chico provost and vice president for academic affairs, in an announcement to campus. “We are fortunate to have someone of Sarah’s energy, talent and commitment in the CSU, Chico community.”
McNall said in his campus announcement that all eight department chairs in the college had requested Blackstone be appointed as dean. In a letter to McNall, the chairs wrote, “We respect her integrity as our dean and our colleague. She has proven her ability to represent our college effectively and successfully to the campus and to the greater Chico community. . . .We are convinced she has the leadership skills and vision to guide our college through the next years.”
Blackstone earned her Ph.D. in theatre history at Northwestern University. She did her undergraduate work in theatre at the University of Wyoming and earned a master’s degree in theatre at Kansas State University. She is a theatrical director and has published two books on Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.
“This past year has been an incredible learning experience,” said Blackstone. “I have had the chance to really understand the college and its relationship to the university and the community. This college has a proud history and brings great resources to Chico. I look forward to using what I’ve learned this year to help the faculty and staff build on the past and realize their dreams for the future.”
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