Stephen F. Austin State University

Dr. A.C. “Buddy” Himes, director of the School of Music for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, has been named the next dean of the College of Fine Arts at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Himes holds a doctorate from the University of North Texas and joined the University of Louisiana at Lafayette faculty in 1995. He serves as head of the Department of Performing Arts and has led an effort to streamline and modernize the university’s curriculum, teaching methodologies and technology. During his tenure, enrollment in the School of Music increased 58 percent.

While serving as chairman of the music department at Louisiana College from 1986 to 1994, Himes oversaw the renovation of the fine arts building and obtained more than $1 million in grant funding for the $2.3 million project.

Himes has served on the board of directors of the National Association of Schools of Music and as a visiting evaluator for the Commission on Accreditation for the association. He was elected to two terms as chairman of the Louisiana Music Executives of Higher Education and is a three-time appointee to the grant review board of the Louisiana Division of the Arts. He has published more than 30 articles in music and higher education periodicals.

According to Dr. Baker Pattillo, SFA president, Himes will arrive in Nacogdoches in July and assume his duties officially on Sept. 1, pending approval of the Board of Regents.

“I appreciate Dr. John Goodall, professor of oboe and music theory, for his service as interim dean,” Pattillo said.

The dean of the College of Fine Arts provides leadership for SFA’s schools of art, music and theatre. The dean is responsible for planning, program development, accreditation, student and faculty recruitment and retention, and fundraising.

Dr. Richard Berry served as dean of the college until his appointment as associate provost and vice president of academic affairs in 2006.