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USF appoints new dean at its College of The Arts

Chris Garvin comes from the University of Georgia, where he directed the Lamar Dodd School of Art.
 
Chris Garvin is the new dean at USF's College of The Arts.
Chris Garvin is the new dean at USF's College of The Arts. [ University of South Florida ]
Published June 13, 2020

The University of South Florida announced Friday that Chris Garvin has been appointed dean of the College of The Arts.

Garvin was most recently director of the University of Georgia’s Lamar Dodd School of Art after serving as director of the Multimedia Program and dean of the College of Media and Communication at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He replaces James Moy, who served as dean since 2012 and returns to faculty.

“I am looking forward to growing and strengthening the reputation and scholarship of the College of The Arts for the benefit of our talented students,” Garvin said in a statement released by the university. “Together, with the faculty, alumni and community partners, I hope to foster greater collaboration and connection between the College of The Arts, other colleges and the surrounding communities, that can create exciting new opportunities that have the potential to extend statewide, nationally and beyond.”

Garvin was selected by a search committee that began its work in September. He will earn $185,000, plus a dean’s stipend of $55,000.

Garvin holds a bachelor’s degree in painting from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a master’s degree in painting from the Ohio State University. He also completed an Executive Education Program for Creative Leaders through the American Institute of Graphic Arts and the Harvard Business School.

A statement from the university said Garvin has worked as an artist and design consultant/interface designer with brands including Nike, MOMA, National Geographic, Motorola, Vogue Magazine and Time Warner.

“He is well-equipped to grow a vibrant, valued and engaged arts program that extends beyond USF’s campuses into the larger Tampa Bay arts community, and reaches into national and global spaces,” the statement said.