The West Virginia University College of Creative Arts purchased 11 new Steinway pianos recently thanks to a generous planned gift by Rich and Deborah Harrison. The Harrison’s planned gift supports the College’s All-Steinway Campaign.

Harrison grew up in Clarksburg and received a BA in Political Science from Salem College and a BS in Business Administration from WVU in 1972. He served in the United States Navy and later worked as a human resource manager for Advanced Ceramics for 27 years before retiring in 2001. Harrison passed away in November 2019.

A fierce advocate for the arts, alumna and Visiting Committee member Jennifer Dorre has funded a scholarship to support students in the West Virginia University School of Music.

A Dover, Delaware native, Dorre graduated from WVU in 1998. She then moved to New York City and began her career in fashion and retail, which has included roles at popular fashion brands Victoria’s Secret, David Yurman, Blue Nile, Sears and more.

The West Virginia University School of Music welcomes Sandra Schwartz as interim director, effective July 1. 

“The School of Music has been a great place to work since I arrived on campus in 2006,” Schwartz said. “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead as the School continues as a visible force in arts and culture in the community.”

The West Virginia University College of Creative Arts has selected its 2022 faculty awards.

Each year, the college awards for Excellence in Research and Creative Activity; Outstanding Teacher; Outstanding Service; and Adjunct Faculty Excellence.

Mikylah Myers, assistant dean of student artistic achievement in WVU’s College of Creative Arts, recently performed as soloist in the east coast premiere of “Intonations: Songs from the Violins of Hope” by Jake Heggie.

The piece is inspired by the Violins of Hope, a project of concerts based on a private collection of violins, violas and cellos collected since the end of World War 2. All instruments belonged to Jews before and during the war. 

The College of Creative Arts Faculty Student Mentored Research awards demonstrate the exceptional mentored research work being conducted in the arts at West Virginia University. Research in the arts can take many forms: exhibitions, performances, publications, scholarly research and more. 

The winners of the 2022 Faculty Student Mentored Research Awards are:

You may never find a bigger fan of the Pride of West Virginia than Ed Gilger. His love and dedication to WVU’s Marching Band has led him to make a planned gift supporting his beloved band.

A West Virginia native, Gilger came to WVU in 1959 and decided to audition for the marching band at the encouragement of his suite mate. Gilger made the percussion line and as he says, “the rest is history.”

West Virginia University Director of Jazz Jared Sims has a new album,
“Against All Odds,” out on Origin Records. 

Sims original compositions reflect on the wide-ranging, cascading emotions and endless complications created by the global pandemic. This is Sims tenth solo recording.