Ouachita Stories

Dr. Gary Gerber, chair of Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music, has been named dean of the School of Fine Arts effective July 1. He succeeds Dr. Scott Holsclaw, who has served as dean since 2007. Dr. Holsclaw will return to full-time teaching and directing and serve as chair of the Division of Applied Arts which includes theatre arts and Art and Design.

“During his tenure as dean, Dr. Hoslclaw has worked with our outstanding faculty and students to maintain and build on Ouachita’s strong reputation in the arts,” said Ouachita President Rex Horne. Affirming that Dr. Holsclaw “gave leadership to several major projects,” he added, “We are grateful for his many contributions to the university.”

Concerning Dr. Gerber’s appointment as dean, Dr. Horne noted that he “brings an outstanding record of service to the university and to his profession. His demonstrated excellence in teaching, performance and administration, combined with his understanding of and deep commitment to Ouachita’s mission as a Christ-centered liberal arts university, are all qualities that will serve to strengthen Ouachita’s legacy of excellence in the fine arts.”

Gerber, who has served at Ouachita since 2004, holds degrees from Tarleton State University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Holsclaw has served at Ouachita since 1985. He holds degrees from the University of Kentucky, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and New York University.

During his eight years as dean, Holsclaw has provided leadership for a number of major projects including the development of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, campus-wide Arts Engagement Series and Professional Artists Series as well as the creation of the Williams/Arnold Dance Studio and the naming of the Rosemary Adams Department of Art and Design and related renovations and additions, including the Rosemary Adams Art Galleries.

Holsclaw said key priorities have included “helping guide the future of the School of Fine Arts and encouraging and developing arts education and arts programs throughout the university.” Addressing his shift back to full-time teaching, he said, “As I begin to move toward retirement, it is my desire to reconnect to my first love of theatre and create art.”

Gerber emphasized that Holsclaw has worked effectively in his role as dean to “help bring the three areas of the School of Fine Arts together.” Citing the challenge of blending the priorities and needs of music, theatre and Art and Design, he said Holsclaw has helped students and faculty “better understand the purpose and focus of the arts on the Ouachita campus.”

As Gerber steps into the dean’s position this summer, he said he is “looking forward to moving more into an administrative role and less in a choral conductor role. I will always enjoy conducting a choir but I'm looking forward to using my gifts to help faculty and students achieve their goals and dreams.”

Holsclaw said he is confident that Gerber “will be a strong leader and he will continue to move the school forward. Having worked closely with him over the past several years, I feel very comfortable handing over the reins to him. I know the faculty, students and staff are in good hands.”

For more information about Ouachita’s School of Fine Arts, contact Dr. Gary Gerber at [email protected].

By Trennis Henderson, OBU Vice President for Communications