Campus News

Westminster Welcomes Renowned Leader in Arts Education

Dr. David Dynak named as Beverley Taylor Sorenson Endowed Chair in Arts Education

SALT LAKE CITY – Westminster College welcomes David Dynak, Ph.D., as the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Endowed Chair in Arts Education. The Sorenson Legacy Foundation donated $3 million for the Chair, fellowships, outreach and training that will significantly expand the college’s art and art education programs.

David Dynak comes to Westminster with more than 30 years of experience in arts education. Dynak was most recently dean of the College of Arts & Media at the University of Colorado Denver. He is internationally recognized for his award-winning efforts in K-12 arts education.

As the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Endowed Chair in Arts Education at Westminster, Dynak will continue to develop the creative arts program and look progressively at the future of arts education at Westminster and in Utah. He will oversee the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Program for Creative Arts Education at Westminster College, which includes a new creative arts education minor for undergraduate degrees and a new creative arts emphasis for the Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree.

“We are so fortunate to have someone of David Dynak’s caliber to lead Westminster and the community in arts education,” said Mary Jane Chase, dean of Westminster’s School of Arts and Sciences. “Not only is David familiar with our local arts scene, but he brings a national perspective to this position. I couldn't ask for anyone better to start what will be a transformation in arts education.”

While at CU Denver, Dynak focused on curriculum development, enrollment management and space plans, community engagement initiatives, philanthropic investment, international initiatives and university-community-arts partnerships. Prior to his work at CU Denver, Dynak served as associate dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Utah and chaired the U’s Department of Theatre. He worked as dramaturg for the Pioneer Theatre Company and created innovative educational programs that served Pioneer Theatre Company’s school matinee series.  While in Utah, he helped create an educational partnership with the Sundance Theatre Lab that included students from the University of Utah and Westminster College. He also headed the Integrated Creative Arts minor at Western Michigan University. Dynak holds a Ph.D. in theatre, an M.A. in educational foundations and a B.A. in English, all from Michigan State University.


Media Contacts:  Krista DeAngelis & Arikka Von (801) 832-2682
Aug. 17, 2012

About Westminster:
Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college. With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community. Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enriches the college experience. For more information, visit www.westminstercollege.edu or follow WestminsterSLC on Twitter.