Roosevelt Newson, Fine Arts dean, Illinois State Report Roosevelt Newson, Fine Arts dean, in recital Feb. 6 in Kemp Roosevelt Newson, the new College of Fine Arts dean, will reveal the performance side of his talents with a 3 p.m. piano recital on Sunday, Feb. 6, in Kemp Recital Hall.
Admission is free and open to the public.
Ga. A primarily self-taught pianist until he attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., he won several piano competitions while in high school, and as a college student participated in several national piano competitions. His reviews from the European press opened the door to professional management in the United States. But after getting married and starting a family, his need for steady income led him to a teaching position at Western Michigan University. Eventually he was encouraged by others to pursue experience in administration and soon was named associate dean of Arts and Sciences and Bloomsburg University. He spent six years there, followed by five years at Georgia Southern before joining the Illinois State faculty.