Dean Dr. Steve Peters
“We use our Foundation funds for a number of key priorities that are integral to the college’s mission. We provide enrichment experiences for prospective students, offer academic and performance scholarships for new and returning students, purchase emerging technologies for student use in all four departments and at the Center for the Arts, and encourage professional development through faculty fellowships. Through their philanthropy, our generous donors are changing students’ lives and we’re especially thankful for their incredible support.”
College of Fine Arts Report
- One-hundred percent of visual arts, music and theatre programs in COFA are nationally accredited, meaning they meet and exceed national standards for the arts in higher education. Only 4% of arts programs around the world hold such credentials.
- The new Rebecca Luker Scholarship provides funding to support an outstanding COFA student who aspires to establish a professional career in the arts.
- The Department of Art has grown to become the University’s largest undergraduate major. To keep up with the growth, the department added a visiting artist program, built new artist studios, added a digital fabrication shop, renovated digital photography facilities in Bloch Hall and opened the Poole Art Gallery in the Center for the Arts.
- The Department of Music in Davis Hall is the beneficiary of an extensive three-phase renovation. Phase One, completed this fall, focused on acoustic enhancements, patron comfort, and safety in LeBaron Recital Hall. The first phase of the renovation, a modernization of the Hal itself and the lobby area, included new audience seating, a makeover of the auditorium itself, and addition of a new ADA seating area, all of which meet and exceed national accreditation standards. Plans for other phases in the building include development of new music technology and recording facilities.
- The second annual Hyatt Piano Competition in November is a state-wide competition open to pianists in grades 9-12. The top three ranked pianists receive a stipend and a Hyatt Piano Scholarship is awarded to the top ranked pianist.
- The Department of Music welcomes middle and high school-aged choir, band, orchestra, piano, guitar students, and aspiring music technologists and composers to the Young Musicians’ Camp each summer. The camp is a week-long, residential enrichment experience with high caliber music instruction by the professional staff.
- A new feature of the Communication Studies Program, the Center for Collaborative Communication, is creating collaborative opportunities for student, faculty, staff and community partners to improve their oral communication skills. The Center follows the proven model of communication and writing centers across the country by offering peer consultations to students working on oral presentations. Trained peer consultants record and offer feedback to students working on presentations for classes, conferences and other occasions.
Donor Impact
“The statement ‘You Belong at Montevallo’ is something that is dear to me because you can find it anywhere (on campus),” he said. “I tell our orientation groups that there’s so many outlets and opportunities where you can make that statement true to yourself. You can find it in SGA, you can find it at orientation, you can be a Montevallo Maven. I’ve found that within my department and as an orientation leader, and it’s brought me such great joy.”
– Bryan Perez, a music education major at the University of Montevallo
