Interim Dean for School of Music

Dear Students, Staff and Faculty,

I’m pleased to share with you that I’ve asked Professor Paul Popiel to serve as Interim Dean of the School of Music. His appointment will be effective with the start of the new year.

I appreciate all those who offered nominations and provided input into this process. The pool of nominations to lead the School in the interim was robust and broadly talented.

Paul joined the university in 2010 and serves as tenured full-professor and Director of Bands.  I’m confident Paul has the scholarly, performance and creative background that will represent the School well among peers on campus and abroad. Paul’s experience with important aspects of administration – such as budgets, personnel management, fundraising and facilities utilization – will serve the School well.

Before arriving at KU, Paul held appointments at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and at Oklahoma State University, as well as at public schools in Texas and Michigan. He earned a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of music from Truman State University, a master of music from University of Notre Dame and a doctor of musical arts from Michigan State University.

I will reach out to you soon with additional information about appointing a search committee, reporting the results of your dean search survey and developing the timeline to help find the next dean of the School of Music. Until then, please join me in thanking Paul for taking on this important responsibility.

Let’s take this moment to recognize and thank Robert Walzel for his years of service to the students, staff and faculty of the School of Music as well as to the University, the region and the state. His contributions have been many and provide a legacy of success for which Bob and all Jayhawks can be proud.

Respectfully,

Barb

Barbara A. Bichelmeyer

Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor