University News

Dr. Forrest Suycott (photo by David Linnenburger)
[Download Print-Quality Image]

April 11 Program and Concert to Celebrate COFAC 40th Anniversary

April 7, 2008

Share Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL - - An evening of dance, theatre, song and instrumental musical performances coupled with three special presentations will kickoff the yearlong 40th anniversary celebration of the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) at Western Illinois University Friday, April 11.

The 7:30 p.m. event will be held in the COFAC Recital Hall, located in Simpkins Hall. Donations to the Forrest Suycott Scholarship will be accepted; however, the evening's events are open free to the public.

Entertainment will include a modern dance by senior Emily Jacobs (Johnsburg, IL), a kinesiology/exercise science and fitness major with minors in dance and business who is also president of Western's University Dance Theatre; musical theatre, stage combat and unrehearsed Shakespeare presentations by members of the theatre and dance department; and performances by Western's University Singers, conducted by James Stegall, director of choral activities, and the Lamoine Brass Quintet, Western's in-residence brass faculty ensemble.

Forrest Suycott, a well-known leader in arts outreach and arts education and the first dean of Western's School of Fine Arts, will be in attendance for the announcement of the inaugural Forrest D. Suycott Jr. Scholarship. The annual scholarship will be awarded to a fulltime student majoring in a music degree program or to an accepted freshman or transfer student intending on majoring in music. Applicants who are current students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 equals "A" scale). Participation in one ensemble is a minimum requirement.

A talented trumpeter, Suycott was hired as the music department's band director during the Beu Administration in 1955. He was a major planner of the School of Fine Arts during 1966-1968, and he was appointed acting dean in July 1968. In 1969 he was elected by the faculty to be the dean of the School of Fine Arts, which included the departments of art and music, and after 1970, the theatre department.

Suycott directed the jazz, marching and concert bands; and students voted him the Most Distinguished Professor of 1966-1967. He also founded Western's Symphony Wind Ensemble.

During Suycott's service, WIU became involved in regional arts programming through the Two Rivers Arts Council and continued expanding cultural offerings to the regions through various University groups.

Two inaugural awards also will be presented at the program. The College of Fine Arts and Communication Distinguished Friend Award will be given to John Gay (B.S., 1969) of Denver, CO, president of John Gay and Associates, who serves as chair of the COFAC Advisory Board. The Outstanding Alumni Award will be presented to Bill Paulding (B.A., 1993; MS-ED, 1995) of Naperville, IL, president and CEO of STAFFLOGIX.



Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing