RICH TAYLOR EXPECTED TO BE
NAMED FINE ARTS INTERIM DEAN

PDF Version of Release I Download Adobe Reader

jc/6-20-08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: OU Public Affairs, (405) 325-1701 or publicaffairs@ou.edu

     NORMAN – Rich Taylor, whose experience in fine arts includes 27 years in leadership posts with the Walt Disney company, is expected to be appointed interim dean of the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma, pending approval of the OU Board of Regents at its regular June meeting. The current dean, Eugene “Gene” Enrico, has announced plans to return to teaching and research.
    
     Taylor, an Enid native and 1972 OU alumnus, has served as director of the Weitzenhoffer Department of Musical Theatre at the OU since July 2007. His career at Disney included 10 years as vice president of entertainment and costuming for Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.

     “The University is grateful for the leadership rendered as dean by Dr. Gene Enrico,” said OU President David L. Boren. “We’re very pleased that he will continue his teaching and research in the School of Music. We are excited that one of our most outstanding graduates, Rich Taylor, will become interim dean of the Weitzenhoffer College of Fine Arts. Having managed several thousand employees, a budget in the millions of dollars, had strong involvement in marketing as well as arts production leadership during his private career, he has an ideal combination of skills to provide outstanding leadership for the college.”

     Also during Taylor’s Disney career, he served as corporate director of creative development and communications; manager of special events; manager of creative show development; division manager of talent casting and resources for Walt Disney World Creative Entertainment; and director of entertainment for Disneyland Paris.

     While pursuing his bachelor of fine arts degree from OU, Taylor received numerous awards and honors, including being named Big Man on Campus, an Outstanding Senior and to the Pe-et honor society. While at OU, he founded and directed the OU Student Entertainers, served as the show director and master of ceremonies for two Sooner Scandals, and performed in University Sing as well as several School of Music and School of Drama choral, opera and theatrical productions.

     He began his music career as a featured soloist, choral singer and conductor with choral music pioneer Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians. Taylor also served as assistant producer/director and press and publicity director for The Fred Waring Show.

     Taylor is a sought-after high school and college choral and show choir clinician and adjudicator. He was selected three times – in 1996, 1998 and 2000 – to serve as a member of the judges’ panel for the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J.

     He also has served as a member of several professional organizations, including on the advisory board of the National Association for Music Education in Washington, D.C.; as co-chairman of Fred Waring’s America advisory board at Penn State University; as a member of the resource council for the Florida State University School of Motion Pictures, Television and Recording Arts; and on the boards of the Orlando Ballet and the Orlando Opera.

     He has received many awards and honors during his career, including being named recipient of an Ambassador Award, presented by Media Fellowship International; a Lowell Mason Fellows Award, presented by the National Association for Music Education in recognition of unique and important contributions to music education; and an OU Regents’ Alumni Award, which honors outstanding graduates for lending their time, energy and talent in service to the University.

     Enrico, an internationally recognized music scholar, teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in music history and culture; directs the Collegium Musicum, OU’s early music ensemble; and is artistic director of the Accademia Filarmonica, a concert series featuring music of the 17th and 18th centuries.