A newly endowed award for undergraduate students is named in honor of the late Scott Sullivan, Ph.D., who served as dean of the College of Fine Arts from 2000-15.
A newly endowed award for undergraduate students is named in honor of the late Scott Sullivan, Ph.D., the founding dean of the TCU College of Fine Arts, and his wife, Joan. The Scott and Joan Sullivan Award Endowment in the Arts will be given annually to a talented upperclassman in the College of Fine Arts to recognize that student’s outstanding work, creativity and overall excellence in their field of study.
The Sullivan Endowment is provided by the generosity of the Sullivans’ friends and colleagues to commemorate the significant contributions made by the couple to TCU and the arts community.
Among his accomplishments as dean from 2000 to 2015, Sullivan increased enrollment in the College of Fine Arts; incorporated the then-Department of Fashion, Merchandising and Textiles; and led the charge to build a new dance building and expand and renovate spaces for the Department of Theatre.
Along with the Board of Visitors, Sullivan also initiated the biennial TCU Fine Arts Gala, raising more than $2 million for the arts at TCU, while sharing the talents of faculty and students with the broader DFW arts community.
TCU College of Education Dean Emeritus Samuel M. Deitz, Ph.D., is among the founding donors of the Sullivan Endowment. He calls the establishment of the award “a well-deserved honor.”
“In 2000, Scott Sullivan was one of five new academic deans at TCU, and he immediately brought new life and innovative leadership to the College of Fine Arts,” said Deitz. “Over the years he served the college, and all of TCU, well. His impact on students, faculty and staff was impressive. This award will be a lasting reminder of the excellent work he did as dean.”
An art historian, Sullivan taught at the University of North Texas and served as dean of the College of Fine and Professional Arts at Kent State University before coming to TCU. In addition to his professional accomplishments, he is remembered for his big smile, sense of humor and sharp wit.
The College of Fine Arts dean, chairs and directors will select the Sullivan Endowment recipient each year with an effort to ensure that award winners are spread across the college’s six units. The first award will be given this year, and recipients will be recognized on a plaque in the dean’s office.