WINTER 2014 THE MAGAZINE OF THE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND FINE ARTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS THE ARTS ALIVE AND WELL AT THE U OF M BAUHAUS TWENTY–21 ARTIST TELLS STORY THROUGH PICTURES CCFA MOURNS LOSS OF TWO FACULTY ALUMS Triple-threat musical theatre program grows CONTENTS DEAN’S MESSAGE WINTER 2014 FEATURES As you have undoubtedly read, significant closed in the Art Museum of the University of issues have developed in higher education Memphis and is featured on the cover of this across the nation and in Tennessee as well. magazine, are providing support for architec- 8 An Entrance Somewhere Else As Provost Rudd has written: “Our funding ture students in their required development of CCFA’s Musical Theatre program connects students to the world models are under pressure from a continued model building skills. Other donors have greatly of the American Musical. reduction of state funds, changing enrollment aided our new musical theatre concentration patterns and, for Tennessee universities, a through scholarship support or the Commu- funding formula that is impacted by comple- nication Department’s graduate program. We 12 A Frenzied Passion tion outcomes… In recent years, we have thank them and so many others who support Arts at the University of Memphis provide one-stop shop for theatre, art, absorbed significant reductions (36%) in state our students and hope you will join them in helping to continue the excellence for which dance and music. funding by undertaking a variety of cost reduc- tion measures.” As the result of a University we have become known. We also invite you to $20 million funding gap, CCFA has reduced this come and see for yourself the wonderful work 16 When Words Become Unclear year’s budget and will take very heavy cuts in that occur in our galleries, studios, classrooms, concert halls and theaters. Photographer gives voice to Bauhaus work through exhibition of pictures. next year’s budget. The cuts include the loss of faculty and staff positions, the closing of the Each time I write the column, it is always hard Center for Multimedia Arts, and undergraduate to say goodbye to those who have left us. as well as graduate support. This time it is to Tommy Ferguson and Larry EVERY ISSUE We continue to Despite these substantial financial setbacks Edwards. Tommy is remembered for his great and the resulting impact upon programs, we influence on our Music programs, as you will 1 Dean’s Message Dean Richard R. Ranta shares the state of CCFA. deliver vibrant continue to deliver vibrant programs with strong read about in a special tribute article. Larry was a great artist, teacher and friend. He was also a programs with 2 Donor Spotlight Donor supports model building. research/creative activities thanks to our faculty, staff, and talented and bright students. An im- wonderful chair of the Department of Art with strong research/ 4 Alumni Spotlight Update on alums Bryan Cottingham and Brian Fruits. portant partner in this continuation of excellence whom I worked closely and will miss dearly. has been our friends and donors. Indeed, as I Let me close by thanking the Advisory Board creative activities 6, 24 Around CCFA Overview of the latest college happenings. write this opening missive, the CCFA and alumni of CCFA for surprising me with the great honor donor numbers have both increased by almost thanks to our of receiving the Distinguished Achievement 16 Upcoming Events Calendar of productions, concerts and shows. 50% over this same period last year. Thank you! Award in the Creative and Performing Arts. It faculty, staff, Donations have been and will be a terrific help was a true surprise. When I look at the list of 18 In the Community Off-campus involvement of students, faculty and staff. and are deeply appreciated. Although not fully those who have received it before me, I con- and talented and replacing the continuing loss of state dollars, 20 In Memoriam Remembering Larry Edwards and Dr. Thomas C. Fergusson. tinue to think that they were out of their minds! alumni giving is particularly important to the bright students. However, I will be forever grateful to them and College. Alumni gifts carry weight in the U.S. 22 News & Notes Brief updates from students, faculty, staff and alumni. all who came to and participated in the lovely News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges lunch and presentation ceremony. It was won- ranking, directly impacting our student recruit- derful to see so many friends who have helped ment and how our programs are perceived on build the college and have a chance to thank the national scale. them for all that they have done. ON THE COVER Two students benefit from dance training provided in the CCFA Advisory Board Ward Archer, Rikki Boyce, Dean Deyo, Art Gilliam, Musical Theatre program. The triple-threat program also provides intensive Herman Markell, Charlotte Neal, Michael Osborn, Steve Pacheco, On the next page Development Director studies in theatre and music. Mike Palazola, Chris Peck, Knox Phillips, David Porter, Frank Ricks, Katherine Goliver writes about donors who, Mickey Robinson, Rudi E. Scheidt, Linn Sitler Jack Soden, Jimmy Tashie, Ron Walter influenced by the architecture students’ work in Richard R. Ranta, Dean Emeritae: Judy McCown, Beverly Ross the wonderful Bauhaus exhibition that recently College of Communication and Fine Arts ccfa.memphis.edu 1 COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND FINE ARTS Richard R. Ranta DONOR SPOTLIGHT Dean Moira Logan Associate Dean Katherine Goliver Director of Development, CCFA Investments Mary Mansour Business Officer Laurie Snyder in Student Success Assistant to the Dean for Undergraduate Programs From scholarships to lecture series, donors invest in the students of the College of Communica- Rachel Holoman tion and Fine Arts in a wide variety of ways. Inspired by the recent partnership between the Art Academic Services Coordinator Museum at the University of Memphis (AMUM) and the Department of Architecture, a recent Kimberly Rogers College Media Coordinator unique donation will award Architecture students funding support for model building and aid in the Hugh Busby development of this important skill set. Local Support Provider II The intent of the gift is to provide students experience with budgets, fully exploring their design UNITS concepts and creating competitive visual representations for future clients. The quality of the work Michael Hagge Chair, Department of Architecture produced by our students not only inspired this gift but also resulted in two of the models being Richard Lou selected to become part of a national traveling exhibition through 2016. Chair, Department of Art Leslie Luebbers Donations of any amount can be made for supporting student models, if interested, please contact Director, Art Museum of the University of Memphis Katherine Goliver, CCFA director of Development, at 901.648.4372 or [email protected] Leroy Dorsey for details. Chair, Department of Communication David Arant Chair, Department of Journalism Randal Rushing Director, Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music THIS BAUHAUS SCHOOL BY Holly Lau GROPIUS MODEL BY MASTER OF Chair, Department of Theatre & Dance ARCHITECTURE STUDENT MEGAN Michael Schmidt HOOVER WAS SELECTED TO Director, Center for Multimedia Arts ACCOMPANY PHOTOGRAPHER GORDON WATKINSON’S TRAVELING Marianne Rae Hartquist EXHIBITION “BAUHAUS TWENTY-21: Director of Development, AN ONGOING LEGACY.” Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music THE HAUS 1-4/WEISSENHOF ESTATE Voices is produced by the Office of the Dean, BY MIES MODEL BY MASTER OF College of Communication and Fine Arts, ARCHITECTURE STUDENT ROBERT The University of Memphis TAYLOR JR. WAS ALSO SELECTED TO JOIN THE TOUR. Editor: Kimberly Rogers Design: Aaron Drown ROBERT PAULUS, JAMES BOWLES, SARAH HAWKINS, DALE HARRIS, Production Assistant: Jacqueline Rucker MARTIN PANTIK AND EMILY SINDEN- Printing: Peerless Printing REDDING ALSO CONSTRUCTED MODELS THAT WERE DISPLAYED Photos: Rhonda Cosentino DURING THE BAUHAUS TWENTY-21 Please send e-mail addresses, EXHIBITION IN THE ART MUSEUM AT address changes, and copy corrections THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS. to [email protected] The College of Communication and Fine Arts Read more 232 CFA Building, Memphis, TN 38152 about the ccfa.memphis.edu Bauhaus exhibition on page 12. 2 VOICES SUMMER 2013 ccfa.memphis.edu 3 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Bryan Cottingham Brian Fruits It was 1964. America was a year removed from the unspeakable shock of Filmmaker and director, Brian Fruits had a large the assassination of the first president born in our century. Our president. body of work under his belt before graduating The very real threat of nuclear destruction had awakened us each morn- from the University of Memphis in May 2013. ing for an entire week just two years before. Our hair, soon to grow past A native of Chicago, Fruits came to Memphis our shoulders, was no more than an inch long as we looked over our because he’d heard good things about the pro- shoulders at the specter of The Draft. Already, 300 young Americans had gram and he wanted to continue his studies in lost their lives in a far-off country called Vietnam. Gas was 25 cents a a diverse environment. His interest is teaching, gallon and MSU tuition was $87.50 for an entire semester. but he wanted to have other experiences, learn And the British had invaded America. Little did either the Beatles or I other skills while furthering his education. realize that each of us would soon embark on our own Long and Winding “I liked the U of M for the MFA program. I think Road. I had no idea just how long and winding that road would be. Memphis, which is so diverse, allows me to BRIAN FRUITS (MFA ’13) I was a lowly freshman, a frightened 17-year old who only months ago work with all kinds of people,” he said.