N.C. arts school provost named dean of UF's College of Fine Arts

May 24, 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The provost of the North Carolina School of the Arts has been named dean of the University of Florida’s College of Fine Arts, Provost Janie Fouke announced today.

Lucinda Lavelli succeeds Don McGlothlin, who stepped down in June after serving as dean for 15 years. Barbara Korner has served as interim dean since then.

Lavelli’s appointment is effective July 1, 2006.

“Provost Lavelli is a strong advocate for the role of fine arts in a research university. She is articulate and experienced so the college should thrive under her leadership,” stated Provost Janie Fouke.

“I look forward to joining the president, provost and faculty of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Florida and building on the foundation created by former Dean Don McGlothin,” Lavelli said. “The college offers exceptional education and training in the arts through its programs and centers, and I anticipate being a part of the significant contributions the college makes as a part of the university locally, nationally and internationally.”

Lavelli, 56, has been provost and vice chancellor for arts and academics at the North Carolina School of the Arts since 2002. From 1993 to 2002, she served at the University of Akron as director of the School of Dance and then as director of the School of Dance, Theatre and Arts Administration.

From 1981 to 1993, Lavelli was chairwoman of performing arts and director of dance at the Hathaway Brown School in Shaker Heights, Ohio.

Lavelli earned a master’s degree in nonprofit management and a master of fine arts in theater arts and dance, both from Case Western Reserve University; a bachelor’s in psychology from Denison University.

She served in 2000 as a consultant to the Tschelkunchik Ballet Theatre in Yakaterinburg, Russia, as part of the Citizens Democracy Corps. She is an active member of arts organizations and currently serves on the boards of the RiverRun International Film Festival, alban elved dance company and the Laban Institute of Movement Studies. Lavelli is a Certified Movement Analyst, which is based in the theory and work of Rudolph Laban and Irmgard Bartenieff.