AUSTIN, Texas—Douglas Dempster, senior associate dean of the College of Fine Arts since 2001, has been appointed interim dean of the college, effective Sept. 1.
Dempster will succeed Robert Freeman, College of Fine Arts dean since March 2000, who will retire next fall.
Dempster holds the Marie Joseph D. Jamail Senior Regents Professorship in Fine Arts as a professor in the college’s Department of Theatre and Dance.
“I am extremely pleased that Doug has accepted this appointment to head the College of Fine Arts,” said Sheldon Ekland-Olson, provost at the university. “He has already demonstrated superb administrative skills and his broad and in-depth knowledge of the College of Fine Arts, its mission and goals.”
Prior to joining The University of Texas at Austin, Dempster held a faculty position at the Eastman School of Music, first as an assistant professor in 1983, and then as an associate professor in 1990. He went on to become the Humanities Department Chair and served in that capacity from 1992-96. Founding director of Eastman’s Arts Leadership Program, Dempster also served at Eastman as dean of academic affairs. He was responsible for the Eastman community education division and the school’s summer sessions. He managed administrative services that included admissions, financial aid and graduate studies.
As associate dean of the College of Fine Arts, Dempster has been responsible for the day-to-day operation of the dean’s office, supervising the work of the assistant and associate deans.
Dempster, a New Jersey native, earned his doctor’s degree in philosophy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he also earned a master’s degree in philosophy. He earned his bachelor’s degree in in philosophy and political science from St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y.
For more information contact: Leslie Lyon, College of Fine Arts, 512-475-7033.
