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July 7, 2009
For Immediate Release
The leadership for Utah Valley University’s two newest academic bodies is set for the 2009-2010 academic year. Bruce L. Christensen has accepted a one-year appointment as interim dean of the School of the Arts, and David P. Yells has been selected as dean of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, where he served as interim dean since July 2008. Christensen will fill the post vacated by Kathie Debenham, who will take over Lori Palmer’s portfolio as interim associate vice president for academic affairs while Palmer works on a Fulbright project next year.
The appointments come one year after UVU attained university status and split its School of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences into two distinct academic bodies.
"We look forward to the same level of excitement in our second year as a university as we had during our first. The strength of academic leadership at UVU is considerable," said Vice President of Academic Affairs Elizabeth J. Hitch. "With David Yells as dean of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, Bruce Christensen leading the School of the Arts as we search for a permanent dean, and Kathie Debenham working with program development and support within the Office of Academic Affairs, we enhance our academic leadership 'tour de force' to continue our momentum in the 2009-2010 academic year."
Christensen brings a wealth of experience to UVU’s School of the Arts. In May, he retired from Bonneville International Corp., where he served as president of KSL and corporate senior vice president since 2000. Prior to his time at Utah’s largest media organization, Christensen’s professional experience included seven years as dean of Brigham Young University’s College of Fine Arts and a dozen years as chief executive officer for the nation’s Public Broadcasting Service in Washington, D.C. He began his career 44 years ago as a reporter for KSL TV. After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Utah, Christensen earned a master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
"I’m grateful to President Holland and Vice President Hitch for inviting me to again be so closely connected to so many of my arts passions," Christensen said. "UVU’s School of the Arts has enormous potential. It’s faculty, students and patrons all pursue the highest level of artistic education and performance. It will be a joy to work with them."
Prior to his tenure as interim dean, Yells served as interim associate dean for UVU’s College of HASS beginning in January 2008. He has taught at UVU since 1999, and he served as chair of the Department of Behavioral Science from 2001 to 2008. After completing his undergraduate studies at Bellevue University, Yells earned both his master’s degree in physiological psychology and Ph.D. in developmental psychobiology at the University of Nebraska.
"I look forward to the opportunity to work with the outstanding faculty and staff of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences and help move the college forward as Utah Valley University continues its exciting evolution," Yells said of the appointment.
A professor in UVU’s Dance Department, Debenham taught as an adjunct lecturer for BYU’s Department of Dance for 19 years prior to coming to UVU in 1995 to build the dance program. She served as founding chair of the Dance Department from 2000-2002, and then as director of institutional effectiveness from 2002 to 2004. In 2004, she became associate dean for the School of HASS and in 2008 was appointed interim dean of the same school. She then served as interim dean of the School of the Arts beginning at its inception in July 2008. Debenham earned her bachelor’s degree, secondary licensure and Master of Arts degree in dance from BYU, and she holds a certificate in integrated movement studies from the University of Utah, where she received her certification in Laban Movement Analysis in 1997.
"It has been a highlight of my academic career to serve as interim dean of the School of the Arts in its inaugural year," said Debenham. "With great energy and focus, we have shot out of the starting blocks and are running strong. I am thrilled that Bruce Christensen has come on board to lend his considerable academic and corporate leadership to continue to build the passion, vision and ingenuity that characterize the School. I look forward to joining the Office of Academic Affairs and bringing that passion, vision and ingenuity to a wonderful new opportunity to support and enhance the academic programs at UVU."
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