Release Date: July 8, 2008
Kennesaw State hires new chair of visual arts department
Contact: Cheryl Anderson Brown, Assistant Director of Public Relations, 770-499-3417 or cbrown@kennesaw.edu
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Joe Thomas Photo by Cheryl Anderson Brown |
KENNESAW, Ga.—Kennesaw State University has appointed a new chair of the Department of Visual Arts, Joe Thomas. Thomas’ previous position was associate professor of art history at Clarion University of Pennsylvania.
One of Thomas’s goals as department chair is to heighten the profile of the visual arts program at KSU. “I plan for us to sit down and see where we want to go and how our department can meet the goals of the university. As we emphasize what makes our program unique, students will see Kennesaw State as an important arts program, and when comparing with other schools, they will consider KSU their top choice.”
Thomas’ specializations include 20th century and contemporary art, sexuality and representation and Italian Renaissance art. He holds a doctorate degree in art history from University of Texas at Austin, and also received a master of arts in art history from Southern Methodist University and a bachelor of fine arts in studio art with a specialization in art history from North Texas State University. Thomas’ understanding and experience in both studio art and art history will assist him in creating an environment for a cohesive art program at KSU.
In addition to serving as department chair at Kennesaw State, Thomas will continue to teach art history. As an educator, Thomas says, “I enjoy creating artistically literate citizens who have a basic knowledge to understand and be comfortable with art.”
Thomas will begin serving as chair of the visual arts department on Aug. 1.
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A member of the 35-unit University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive, residential institution with a growing student population of more than 20,000 from 142 countries. The third-largest university in Georgia, Kennesaw State offers more than 60 graduate and undergraduate degrees, including new doctorates in education and business.
The KSU College of the Arts is one of only four Georgia institutions to have achieved full national accreditation for all of its arts programs.