“*There will be no isolation between the students and me. I want to be involved.*”
– Wade Hobgood

The Peck School of the Arts will welcome a new dean beginning July 1. Wade Hobgood, who was hired in the last week of March, visited the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee earlier that month and knew that he wanted to be a part of the campus.

“Everything happened quickly. Certainly when I visited I was very impressed with the quality of students and staff. I just wanted to be a part of that,” said Hobgood. “I’ve been to a lot of campuses over the years, and UWM has some of the best art programs I’ve ever seen. The commitment was wonderful to see.”

Hobgood has had a vast array of experience. He holds a master’s degree in graphic design and photography and is currently a professor of mass communications at the University of North Carolina. He teaches a variety of courses including media ethics, media aesthetics, advertising and public relations.

He was chancellor at North Carolina School of the Arts from 2000 to 2005 and also served as dean for the College of the Arts at California State University from 1993 to 2000. During that time he also held a tenured professor position.

The list of Hobgood’s administrative experience goes back to 1977, the year he graduated with his master’s degree from East Carolina University.

Hobgood plans on providing updated, more functional facilities for art students. “I was only at UWM for three days, but one of the things high on my list that I noticed was that we need a new stage for theatre,” Hobgood said. “I also want to make sure the art programs are well understood and ensure that they become a real part of the city’s art community.” He went on to say that his background in fundraising should “help us accomplish things. The faculty and students have a lot of great ideas, and I would love to help them realize their goals.”

One of Hobgood’s main aspirations is to become a vital part of the art students’ lives.

“I hope they quickly get me involved in their projects,” he said, “I will be hands-on and conspicuous. I hope the students and faculty want me to be a part of their work. I hope they introduce me to their friends. I want to get to know them and what they are working on.”

To accomplish this hands-on approach, Hobgood plans on having the department chairs schedule his work days.

“They will make sure that I am interacting, not simply going to events. I aim at understanding the students’ frustrations and excitements. The most enjoyable part of my time is going behind the scenes. In the past I have danced in shows, played percussion, sat in on lectures. The students will see my genuine interest in what they are doing,” Hobgood said, “There will be no isolation between the students and me. I want to be involved.”

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