Blocher new dean of CCFA

Larry Blocher, director of the John M. Long School of Music, has been appointed dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts.

Blocher will take over from Don Jeffrey, interim dean and senior vice chancellor of the global campus.

“Dr. Blocher has proven himself a capable leader and an extraordinary advocate for student success during his time as a professor of music and director of the John M. Long School of Music,” Troy Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr. said in a press release. “The fine arts and humanities play an important role at Troy not only for our students, faculty and staff but also for the public at large who attend our performances and have their lives enriched through the arts.

“Dr. Blocher understands the crucial role the fine arts play on our campus and beyond. He is the right leader to take this college into a new era of success.”

Blocher was named director of the music school in 2005 and will continue in this capacity.

Carla Gallahan, an associate professor of music, has been appointed the assistant director of the music school.

John M. Long, namesake of the school of music and one of its previous directors, also served as dean of the then-College of Fine Arts.

Prior to coming to Troy, Blocher was a professor of music, associate director of the school of music and director of music education at Wichita State University.