Ithaca College

Ithaca College announced today that Greg Woodward has been named dean of its founding school, the School of Music. A member of the music faculty since 1984, Woodward has served since 2003 as dean of Ithaca College's Division of Graduate and Professional Studies.

"It is an incredible honor to be asked to lead one of the great music schools in our country and to be given the opportunity to continue over a century of excellence in musical achievement and professional training," said Woodward. "I hope to build on the solid foundation established by retiring dean Arthur Ostrander in focusing on the school's academic and musical programs, its important role within the college, its engagement with the community and its place in helping to define and shape the critical role of arts within our culture and world."

Woodward joined the Department of Music Theory, History, and Composition as a composer in 1984 and has been a full professor since 2000. He has extensive experience as an administrator with the school. From 1985 to 2003 he was chair or cochair of graduate studies in music and director of summer programs in music, and from 1981 to 1983 he was director of music admissions and assistant to the dean. He has taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses and has written works for orchestra, wind ensemble, band, and chamber ensemble as well as jazz, popular, and theater music.

"Greg is extremely creative and energetic, and has a long history with Ithaca College," said Kathleen Rountree, provost and vice president for academic affairs. "His work as graduate dean has been exemplary, resulting in new programs and expanded enrollments. I am confident that he will be a wonderful addition to Ithaca's founding school, and will work collaboratively with the outstanding faculty and staff to lead the program forward into continued excellence and new innovations."

Woodward earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut, master's degree from Ithaca College, and doctorate from Cornell University. He previously served on the music faculty at Cornell and at Valparaiso University, and held a six-year appointment as a Sanford Visiting Scholar in the School of Music at Yale University. He has studied composition under such notables as Karel Husa, Steven Stucky, and Donald Martino. His professional affiliations include the American Conference of Academic Deans, American Association of Colleges and Universities, College Music Society, and Pi Kappa Lambda, the national music honor society.

Arthur Ostrander, who has served as dean of the school for the past 23 years, announced last fall that he will step down at the conclusion of the current academic year. Woodward will assume the position on July 1, 2008.