The University of 蜜柚直播 Fred Fox School of Music鈥檚 newly named director won鈥檛 need a map to get around campus when she arrives in 蜜柚直播 in early August.
Even though it鈥檚 been nearly 30 years since she stepped foot on the UA campus, Lori Wiest is very familiar with the school of music, where she earned her doctorate in choral conducting.
On July 1, she officially becomes the new director of the Fred Fox School, replacing interim director Rex Woods. Woods has kept the seat warm through the 2019-20 school year after Ed Reid stepped down late last summer.
鈥淲hen I saw the virtual tour of the Fred Fox school, it just felt like home,鈥 Wiest said Thursday, the day after the UA announced her appointment following an extensive national search. 鈥淚鈥檓 so excited to be back.鈥
Wiest expects to be on campus Aug. 1 after tying up loose ends in Pullman, Washington, where she has taught and held administrative positions at Washington State University since 1991.
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Wiest鈥檚 ties to 蜜柚直播 go back to the mid-1980s, when she moved to the state to pursue her master鈥檚 degree at 蜜柚直播 State University.
Having grown up in the cold climes of North Dakota, 鈥淚 remember that opportunity to sit outside and have my lunch without boots and a big coat,鈥 she said.
But it is the makeup of the Fred Fox school, from the students and alumni and the faculty, and the idea that the school is under the umbrella of the College of Fine Arts, which includes the dance and visual arts programs, that Wiest finds most appealing. The music school at WSU is part of the College of Arts and Sciences, which includes everything from women鈥檚 studies to politics, sociology and criminal justice.
Being part of fine arts will enable Wiest to explore collaborations with the dance program and visual arts in a way that she was unable to at WSU.
Wiest said her goals include collaborations with faculty and other departments on campus, and to 鈥減rovide pathways for our students, for our graduates, that they are prepared for their careers in the 21st century,鈥 including in areas of industry and health sciences.
鈥淲e live in a world that has such complex problems and I think the creativity of an artist is needed in how we solve problems,鈥 she said.
Wiest is only the second woman to hold the UA music school鈥檚 top job and the first one in more than 25 years, according to UA officials.
鈥淒r. Wiest clearly emerged (as) the candidate best suited to build on the considerable strengths of the school, and to work collaboratively with faculty and staff to look toward new ways to prepare our graduates for the new opportunities and challenges of the coming years,鈥 Andrew Schulz, dean of the College of Fine Arts and vice president for the arts, said in a written statement.
鈥淪he comes to us with a wealth of administrative experience, and I look forward to working closely with her to further enhance the visibility and reputation of the school.鈥
鈥淚 am so pleased to be back,鈥 said Wiest, 59. 鈥淚t鈥檚 truly kind of that dream that I am returning to a place that I鈥檝e been engaged with as an alum and when I was a student there. True honor.鈥
Photos: Cienega High School Class of 2020 graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
A jeep is decorated with a "20" sign while graduates wait patiently behind the drag strip before Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
Two graduates smile as they are driven down the drag strip during Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
Family and friends make noise as graduates are driven down the drag strip during Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
Family and friends line the drag strip while they make noise for Cienega's graduating class during Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
A group of graduating seniors celebrate as they are driven down the drag strip during Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
A graduate smiles as she is driven down the drag strip during Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
Adrian Villa, left, and Kortney Cahill, graduating seniors, sit in the back of a decorated pick-up truck before Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
Two graduates smile and wave as they are driven down the drag strip during Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
Graduating senior Hannah Edris's (not pictured) Husky Skyler soaks up some camera time before Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
A volunteer walks past a truck decorated with a mask before Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
Family and friends make noise as graduates are driven down the drag strip during Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
Aryanna Frank, graduating senior, smiles as her name is called during Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
Samuel Stivers, left, graduating senior, waves at friends before Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
A group of graduating seniors spray water at friends before Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
Friends and family celebrate Cienega High School baseball graduating seniors during Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
LeAnn West, graduating senior, cheers with another graduating senior in the next vehicle before Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
Graduating seniors and friends put on the finishing touches of a boat before Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
Beth Palmer, volunteer, asks a parent to sign a wavier before Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
Family member of a graduating senior, Bryan Foster, center, waits for Cienega's graduation car parade to begin at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
Graduating seniors wait in parked and decorated vehicles before Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
Rilan Owald, right, graduating senior, helps family and friends decorate the back of their pick-up truck before Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
Dorian "Bird Man" Escalante, graduating senior, fixes his hat before Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020. Escalante decorated his hat with birds due to his nickname "Bird Man" because of his love of birds, said Escalante.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
A Cienega High School senior celebrates with friends in the back of a pickup truck during Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
A graduating senior and some family members record family and friends celebrations during Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
Family members and friends celebrate and cheer for graduating seniors as the seniors are driven down the drag strip during Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
A Cienega High School graduating senior celebrates towards family and friends as she driven down the drag strip during Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
A group of family and friends cheer on Cienega High School graduating seniors during Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
Family and friends, wearing masks, cheer for graduating seniors during Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
A Cienega High School graduating senior is driven down the drag strip in front of cheering family and friends during Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
A Cienega High School graduating senior waves at family and friends as she driven down the drag strip in a limousine during Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
A group of graduating Cienega High School seniors celebrate as they are driven down the drag strip during Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
Juanita Mari, far right, and Sharon Newman, Cienega High School staff members, fix a banner on top of a truck before Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at 蜜柚直播 Dragway
A graduating senior blows kisses to family and friends during Cienega's graduation car parade at 蜜柚直播 Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Contact reporter Cathalena E. Burch at cburch@tucson.com or 573-4642. On Twitter @Starburch
Cathalena E. Burch
Reporter
