Stephen F. Austin State University

Dr. Richard Berry, dean of the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts, has been named associate provost. The appointment was made by Dr. Baker Pattillo, SFA interim president.

According to Pattillo, Berry will assist in oversight of all academic personnel and academic budget allocations.

“We are thrilled to have such a strong academic leader to assume the duties of associate provost,” Pattillo said. “Dr. Berry knows SFA. He earned two degrees here and has been a faculty member for 19 years. He’s held key committee assignments and will be a valuable member of the administrative team.”

An SFA graduate with Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts degree, Berry received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in voice performance from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He joined SFA in 1987 as an assistant professor of music and served as coordinator of undergraduates studies in music for 10 years. He was promoted to professor of music in 1997 and was named dean of the College of Fine Arts in 1999.

Under Berry’s leadership, the departments within the college – art, music and theatre – were elevated to schools with approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Enrollment of fine arts majors has increased more than 20 percent since 1998, and more than six faculty and staff positions have been created. The Art Center at 329 E. Main St. in downtown Nacogdoches, a historic building constructed in the 1880s, was renovated and added to the SFA gallery system.

During his tenure as dean, a study-abroad program that began in 1995 with Rose Bruford College in London has been strengthened and expanded, and a similar program with LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts in Singapore is being established. In addition, the college has added summer courses in photography and drawing in Italy, and an Irish theatre course in Dublin. The A Cappella Choir and Chamber Orchestra have performed two summer European tours.

Dr. Marlin Young, SFA provost, said he looks forward to working with Berry.

“Dr. Berry has demonstrated excellent leadership skills, not only in the College of Fine Arts, but at the university level as well,” Young said. “He interacts well with people, listens to their concerns and takes appropriate action in response to those concerns. Those are strengths that most people admire.”

Berry said he was honored by the appointment and is looking forward to working on academic issues at the institutional level.

“We have known success in the College of Fine Arts because of the quality of the team we have in place – faculty, school leadership, staff and students,” Berry said. “I know the same strengths are present throughout the entire university, and I look forward to working with our great group of deans and other university leaders to continue our institutional progress.”

Berry serves on the board of the Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau and has been a frequent performer in productions at the Lamp-lite Theatre.

Dr. Berry’s appointment is effective Aug. 21 and will be presented to the Board of Regents for approval at the October meeting.