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New Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts

 

Charles “Chuck” O’Connor is looking forward to starting his tenure at IPFW on July 1, 2008 when he assumes the role as Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

“Professor O'Connor was everyone's first choice for the position,” said Susan B. Hannah, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW).  “He brings experience, passion, creativity, and commitment to the task.  His accomplishments in program and curriculum development, faculty mentoring, and community engagement demonstrate that his skills are an excellent match for VPA's challenges and opportunities. I am confident that VPA and IPFW will prosper under his leadership.”

O’Connor received his Master of Fine Arts from the University of Southern California and a B.A. from California State University, Northridge.  He currently serves as the chair of the Department of Theatre and as the executive director of the Nevada Conservatory Theatre at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. 

At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, O’Connor served as head of Film and New Media and interim chair of the Department of Theatre Arts.  His field of study is scenic design and computer simulation for theater and broadcast media.

A strong advocate for diversity, technology and interdisciplinary experiences, O’Connor spent a number of his formative years overseas and is fluent in Spanish.  He looks forward to the opportunities to more fully integrate technology into the creative processes of students and faculty and to expand course offerings to the region through distance learning.

“From the moment I first arrived on the campus, I realized that IPFW is an excellent university located in a wonderful community - a treasure and value all around.   I look forward to working with the outstanding faculty and staff of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, its students, and the people of Fort Wayne and surrounding areas, to build upon the excellence that precedes me,” said O’Connor. 

The College of Visual and Performing Arts is comprised of the Departments of Fine Arts, Music, Theatre, and Visual Communication and Design.  For more information, contact Susan Domer, marketing and public relations specialist for the College of Visual and Performing Arts, at 260-481-6025 or domers@ipfw.edu