UAB Names New Dean of Arts and Humanities

H. Lee Riggins, Ph.D., has been named dean of the UAB School of Arts and Humanities. UAB President W. Ann Reynolds made the announcement today. Riggins is dean of the College of Musical Arts at Bowling Green State University in Ohio and will join UAB prior to the upcoming academic year.

February 17, 2000

BIRMINGHAM, AL — H. Lee Riggins, Ph.D., has been named dean of the UAB School of Arts and Humanities. UAB President W. Ann Reynolds made the announcement today. Riggins is dean of the College of Musical Arts at Bowling Green State University in Ohio and will join UAB prior to the upcoming academic year.

Riggins served on the UAB music faculty as an assistant professor from 1985-87.

“Dean Riggins brings a wealth of experience in program, faculty and student development,” Reynolds said. “I am delighted that we were able to attract a person of his caliber.

“I want to thank Ada Long, director of the Honors Program, for chairing the search committee, and the entire committee for their dedicated work during the search process.”

UAB Provost Peter O’Neil, Ph.D., said Riggins “has outstanding academic and administrative credentials and we are delighted to welcome him back to UAB in this important leadership role.”

Riggins replaces Dr. Theodore Benditt, who returned to the faculty in 1998 after serving as dean for 15 years.

Prior to joining Bowling Green in 1993, Riggins spent six years at the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he served two years as chair of the division of music theory, followed by four years as of chair of the division of academic studies. He also served two years as acting associate dean for undergraduate studies. He also has served on the faculty at Purdue University, Marygrove College, the University of Texas at Austin and Arizona State University.

“I am thrilled to return to Birmingham,” Riggins said. “The evolution of the programs taking place within the School makes for very exciting times and opportunities for our students, faculty and the community. I look forward to taking part in the continued growth of the School.”

Riggins received his bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Humboldt State University. He then received his master’s degree from Arizona State University and his doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin with concentrations in music theory and administration in higher education.