Ithaca College

 A message from Dean Karl Paulnack with news from the School of Music

Dear Campus Community,

In a season where almost everything we know is in transition, I write with news of a significant transition that I want to mark with special gratitude.

Associate Dean David Pacun has accepted the incentive retirement plan offered by the College, and will retire from IC on July 1, 2020. While our two titles are distinguished by the single word, “Associate,” it is no coincidence that within our school and among its leadership team, people more often than not refer, somewhat equally, to “the deans.” 

It is impossible for me to point to a single thing that I have accomplished without David’s involvement and help. He, of course, has had his own independent portfolio of responsibilities, playing the leading role in supporting our students’ academic, musical, physical and mental health and safety, leading budgetary, curricular, and academic planning processes, and supervising a large staff. 

But in addition to this, David has been a vital partner in virtually everything I do. Regardless of any good idea I may have had, the execution of my ideas has invariably relied on David for their success. David will never have a replacement, but he will have an excellent successor.

I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Ivy Walz, Professor of Voice in the Department of Performance Studies, as Interim Assistant Dean of the School of Music. Ivy is a superb choice to serve in this role during the coming year and I am extremely grateful to her for her willingness to serve.  I feel extremely confident in the team of Interim Dean Keith Kaiser and Ivy as they take the helm and navigate the times that are ahead of us.

I would like to offer my sincere thanks to David for his partnership and friendship these past seven years, and to congratulate Ivy on her new appointment. Please join me in thanking them both.