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NEWS
| October 15, 2004
Fine Arts
Art chairs resign
Andy Anderson wants more time
to be an artist, and his friend Jack Plummer loyally follows.
By Esther
Wong
The Shorthorn Staff
Andy Anderson will step down from his position as art and art history
chair. Art Associate Chair Jack Plummer will step down as well.
Anderson announced their decision to leave Wednesday.
He said he contemplated on the decision for about six months before
making it final last week. He said he originally intended to announce
his decision at the new Studio Arts Complex opening Oct. 21 but
decided against it.
He and Plummer will continue their administrative positions until
May 2005 while university officials conduct a search for a new chair
as well as to avoid any discontinuity, Anderson said.
When he first took the position, Anderson said he idealistically
thought he could balance the chair position and continue his creative
work as writer or director. However, he has since learned he can
not do both.
“Basically I had come to a crossroad,” he said. “I
had to decide if I was going to be an administrator or if I was
going to be an artist for the rest of my career.”
He said his first plan as soon as he steps down is to take a long
nap. Then, he will start a new film or writing project, he said.
He wants to begin writing a novel he had planned to write this past
summer, but has not been able to due to time constraints, he added.
Friends since 1978, Plummer said he and Anderson have a working
partnership that developed into the only team that has worked well
in the department’s history.
When Anderson took the chair position in 2000 and asked Plummer
to accept the associate chair position, they formed an agreement
that they would step down together.
“We did a lot, and it is time to go back to teaching and let
someone else to take over the position,” he said.
Film associate professor Bart Weiss said he has mixed feelings about
Anderson’s decision, adding Anderson was instrumental in the
growth of the department.
“On the other hand, I’m extremely happy for him because
it [the chair position] has taken an enormous toll in his creative
life,” Weiss said.
Weiss, who is on the search committee, said the committee’s
first task will be to write a job description.
He said he hopes the department will be able to find someone who
could do more, but he doubts they will be able to find someone of
Anderson’s caliber.
Weiss said he can’t think of anyone comparable to Anderson
in his 20 years of teaching.
“Even with all that experience, professor Anderson has still
been a mentor to me,” he said.
Liberal Arts Dean Beth Wright said she was sad to accept his decision.
“There had been great achievements during the time of his
leadership,” she said.
Anderson said he would not rule out a return to administration at
a later date. However, he insisted that for now, it is the right
thing to do.
“Hit the ground running,” Anderson said, when asked
what his advice to his successor would be. “We have a great
facility, faculty, staff, administration and above all, students.
We’re emerging as a powerhouse destination undergraduate department.
You have momentum and support. What more could you ask for?”
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| Andy Anderson,
art and art history chair, stepped down Wednesday but
will continue his administrative position until May
2005 |
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