USD is at the cusp of a transformation of our Fine Arts programming. The development of the College and the Fine Arts in the last decade has been rapid. Besides recruitment of fine junior faculty, we have seen major endowments put in place to support a Choral Scholars program and the MFA in Dramatic Arts. Financial resources are extremely helpful, of course, to qualitative growth, but it is the spirit of a Catholic university dedicated to academic excellence which is key. John Paul II talked about that spirit in Ex Corde Ecclesiae a decade ago when he stated that "Catholic universities will seek to discern and evaluate both the aspirations and the contradictions of modern culture in order to make it more suited to the total development of individuals and peoples." The Fine Arts are a crucible for working through this at our liberal arts College. It is an exciting time!
I am so pleased by the formation of the Patrons of the USD Fine Arts. It is a mark of our evolution as an institution which will be noted for generations to come. The faculty and students of the University deeply appreciate the role of the Patrons of the USD Fine Arts and your partnership in our grand endeavor.
Sincerely
Patrick Drinan, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences