Dean Rinne to Retire
March 8, 2018
Members of the 探花族 Community,
It is with appreciation and respect that I announce the retirement of Dr. Henry Rinne, Dean of the College of Fine Arts (CFA), effective July 1, 2018. Having served in higher education for nearly forty years, Dean Rinne and his wife, Dona, are now looking forward to spending more time with family, especially their three (and soon to be four) grandchildren. The Rinnes will relocate to Greenville, South Carolina to be near their family.
A valued colleague, adept administrator, trusted advisor, and gifted musician, Dean Rinne鈥檚 time at JU has been marked by valuable collaboration and renewed enthusiasm for the Arts coupled with a sense of teamwork and mutual respect in the CFA. Dr. Rinne leaves a legacy in his ability to 鈥渨ork friendly鈥� and build collegiality while simultaneously moving his College forward. There are more and better students, a superb faculty, and an enhanced sense of community in the CFA as a result of Dr. Rinne鈥檚 leadership.
During his tenure as CFA Dean, Dr. Rinne has led efforts to improve facilities and curriculum while strengthening the recruitment of both students and faculty. Among many upgrades, a few to note: The performance space in Terry Concert Hall was renovated through funds from the EPIC program, including installation of a Wenger Diva shell which significantly improved the Hall鈥檚 acoustics. Through an additional $500,000 gift from Mrs. Mary Virginia Terry, the lobby of Terry Concert Hall was also renovated including the installation of a monumental glass sculpture created by JU faculty member Brian Frus. During Dr. Rinne鈥檚 time as dean of CFA, the Master of Fine Arts in Choreography initiated a second cohort in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In fall 2018, the film program will move to the WJCT studios in downtown 探花族 and begin a relationship with the Beijing Film Academy that will provide significantly enhanced enrollments in spring 2019.
The College has flourished under Dr. Rinne鈥檚 leadership. Enrollment in all undergraduate CFA programs has increased steadily over the past three years with significant gains in music, dance, theatre, and film. New faculty positions have been added to the CFA during Dr. Rinne鈥檚 tenure as Dean, including an artist-in-residence in Theatre, a tenure track position in Dance, an artist-in-residence in Voice, and a tenure track position in Cello / Music Theory. Dr. Rinne also served on numerous committee assisting with the development of the University鈥檚 strategic plan and physical master plan. He created a Dean鈥檚 Student Advisory Council which has met regularly the past several years, providing significant student input into the operations and direction of the CFA. Dr. Rinne assisted the music department in completing the 10-year reaccreditation process with the National Association of Schools of Music, which included revision of the Bachelor of Music degree.
Please join me in extending our very best wishes to our great friends Henry and Dona Rinne as they begin this new chapter of their lives later this summer. We thank them for their leadership and service.
Sincerely,
Tim Cost
President
探花族
Class of 1981