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Like many of you, my first exposure to the arts and music came through my parents. While we would periodically visit museums or exhibits, my most vivid memories took place during family car trips. I’d share the back seat with my brother and stare out the window as my father tuned our AM/FM radio to the local public radio station’s classical music, opera and jazz programs. The genius of Beethoven, Puccini, Satchmo, Stan Getz and so many others filled the airwaves, built memories that remain strong to this day and contributed to my love of jazz and appreciation for the remarkable skills of opera singers and other highly trained musicians.

Arriving at Western, I was greatly impressed by the breadth and depth of talent I found across the College of Fine Arts. In every discipline and at every level, I saw that faculty, staff and students brought a passion and talent to their work that is truly inspiring. Every performance, every exhibit, every installation is a testament to an ongoing high degree of excellence and passion for their craft.

This is no surprise given that the college has been educating performers, creators, designers and innovators since it was established as the first fine arts school at a Michigan public college or university 50 years ago.

That excellence is also reflected in the incredible professional success of our alumni. They represent our University in numerous performing and fine arts arenas. This not only demonstrates the quality of students we attract, but it also denotes the ability of our faculty to provide them with the education and guidance they need to succeed in very demanding, very challenging but also immensely fulfilling fields.

That’s what actress Brooke Elliott found here as a theatre major. Now a star on the hit Netflix series “Sweet Magnolias,” Elliott credits Western and Professor Emeritus Lyda Stillwell for giving her the guidance, support and opportunity to hone her craft.