Elwell named dean of ECU’s College of Fine Arts and Communication

GREENVILLE, NC   (Aug. 25, 2004)   —   Jeffery Elwell, chair of the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Nebraska, has been named dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication at East Carolina University.

Elwell, whose appointment is effective Nov. 15, is also executive artistic director of the Nebraska Repertory Theatre. He will be the first permanent dean of the college, which was established last year in a reorganization of academic units.

Chancellor Steve Ballard praised Elwell’s teaching and administrative experience. “He is an exceptional leader with national stature,” Ballard said. “He is exactly the kind of person we want to attract to East Carolina.”

Elwell said, “I am very excited to be joining the team at ECU. I am especially happy to be so warmly welcomed by such a talented faculty.”

James LeRoy Smith, interim vice chancellor for academic affairs, said the search committee did an excellent job of finding outstanding candidates. “Both finalists for the position were superb,” Smith said.

Elwell has been at the University of Nebraska since 1999. Previously he held faculty and administrative positions at Marshall University and Mississippi State University, He received a bachelor’s degree in English from California State University-Bakersfield, a master’s in communication/theatre from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and a Ph.D. in speech communication/theatre from Southern Illinois University.

He is the author of 17 plays that have been produced in New York, including two winners in the Off Off-Broadway Short Play Festival. He is a frequent producer and director of theatrical productions, and has received 60 grants and fellowships totaling more than $600,000.

The College of Fine Arts and Communication includes the schools of Art and Design, Theatre and Dance, Music, and Communication. Mike Dorsey is serving as interim dean.