Greetings,
The College of Music and Media is moving full-speed ahead.
Our Music students took the stage at three of our city's most popular festivals: Freret, French Quarter, and Jazz. All three festivals attract a global audience, and we were thrilled to have Loyola's signature musicianship on display. The School of Music and Theatre Professions has returned as a lead French Quarter Fest stage sponsor. I am grateful for SMTP Director Kate Duncan and Professor Jonathan McHugh's work keeping us engaged and visual in these spaces.
Our Theatre students performed “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” to a packed house. The audience was engaged and deeply moved by our students' performances, which stirred every emotion, creating a powerful and profound connection between the performers and the audience.
Our School of Communication and Design students continue to represent us nationally by placing as finalists in the annual and coveted Bateman Case Study Competition, in which students apply their classroom and internship knowledge to implement a full public relations campaign.
We have started the process of accrediting our Design and Digital Filmmaking programs. It will take us a couple of years to complete the journey, but this will mean all the School of Communication and Design programs will be accredited. This achievement will give us a competitive advantage and enhance the student experience.
We are boldly considering how to recruit and retain students and investing in our dedicated faculty and staff, who are not just essential but integral to our success.
I appreciate your support during my year as interim dean. It was a productive year, but we have more work to do.
In May, I was named the permanent dean of the College of Music and Media. I am elated to be our chief champion, strategist, innovator, and implementer. You can count on me to amplify our storied legacy of creative excellence and foster a transformative space that uplifts all our students, faculty, and staff. I am honored to serve in this role and even more excited about what we will accomplish together.
Finding a way or making one,
Dean Haydel
