May 24, 2005

Campus selects Arts and Letters Dean

Jeffrey Mason has been named the new dean of the College of Arts and Letters at Sacramento State. The appointment, which was made after an national search, will be effective Jan. 3, 2006.

Nancy Tooker, who has been serving as acting dean since August 2004, will remain in the position through the fall 2005 semester.

Jeffrey Mason

Mason is currently the head of the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Oregon, where is a professor. Prior to his position at Oregon, Mason was a professor of theatre at California State University, Bakersfield and chair of its Fine Arts Department from 1991-97. He also served as artistic director for the Kern Art Theatre.

Mason is an alumnus of Sacramento State, where he earned a master's degree in drama. He also holds a doctorate in dramatic art from UC Berkeley and a bachelor's degree in English and music from Stanford University. In addition to directing 50 theatre productions, he has written three books and numerous articles in the professional field.

In a statement to the campus community announcing Mason's appointment, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Ric Brown said, "Dr. Mason brings an excellent blend of teaching, scholarship, administration, and community involvement to his new role as Dean."

A high-resolution image of Mason is available for download at www.csus.edu/news/imagedownload. Media assistance is available by contacting the Sacramento State Public Affairs Office at (916) 278-6156.

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