Curt Scheib Selected as Dean of the College of Fine Arts

Curt Scheib, a 1977 graduate of IUP, has been selected to serve as dean of the College of Fine Arts at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Scheib will begin work at the university on July 1, 2019. He replaces Michael Hood, who retired from the role in June 2018. David Ferguson has been serving as the interim dean since Hood's retirement.

Scheib is currently dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts at Seton Hill University.

“Dr. Scheib brings a variety of solid and deep experience to IUP, ranging from departmental and division leadership to curricula development to fundraising,” said IUP Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Timothy Moerland. “He is a good fit for IUP, and we're also pleased to ‘welcome home' one of our own.

“Dr. Ferguson has done an excellent job as interim dean of the college, and I want to express my sincere appreciation for his service to the college and to the university. I also want to thank all of the members of the search committee for their diligence and commitment to this important work.”

Scheib began his professional career at Seton Hill in 1985, serving as an assistant professor of music until 2005 and as chair of the Department of Music from 1988 to 1997. He was named chair of the Division of Visual and Performing Arts in 1997, a post he held until 2017. He was promoted to professor of music in 2005 and named dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts in 2017.

Scheib has a doctor of musical arts in voice degree from West Virginia University and a master of music in voice degree—as well as an artist diploma in opera—from the University of Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music. In addition to his bachelor's degree in music education, Scheib also earned a master of arts from IUP in organ performance.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve as the next dean of the College of Fine Arts at IUP,” Scheib said. “It is particularly fulfilling, as an alumnus, to return to IUP and lead the CFA into the future.”

While at Seton Hill, he led the development, planning, and construction of the Seton Hill Arts Center, a 50,000-square foot, $16-million building that houses complete facilities for the visual arts and for dance. He also led the development, planning, and construction of the Seton Hill University Performing Arts Center, a 73,000-square foot, $22-million facility housing the departments of Music and Theater.

He directed the planning and fundraising for the purchase of all new Steinway and Steinway-brand pianos for the Seton Hill University Performing Arts Center; Seton Hill University was named an All-Steinway School in 2010.

He has led the faculty in the development of new curricula in music therapy, musical theater, dance, graphic and interactive design, and commercial music, along with systematic program review evaluations of all curricular offerings. He directed the faculty through two successful 10-year reviews by the National Association of Schools of Music. He has also been actively involved in student recruitment and retention, developing new marking campaigns and overseeing general outreach efforts.

Under his leadership, the offerings of the Seton Hill University Community Arts Program have grown to more than 500 students.

Scheib also has completed the Senior Leadership Academy at the American Academic Leadership Institute; has trained to serve as a visiting evaluator team leader for the National Association of Schools of Music; was a fellow at the Bach Aria Festival and Institute; and did advanced study at the Academia Vocale di Lucca. He is a member of the International Council of Fine Arts Deans and the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

In addition to his work at Seton Hill, he is a member of the Commission on Accreditation for the National Association of Schools of Music; serves as a visiting evaluator for the National Association of Schools of Music; was the interim director of music at the Shadyside Presbyterian Church; and was a conductor for the Shadyside Choral Society.

Scheib has offered presentations on the Arts in Community for the Society for College and University Planning and has performed as baritone soloist with orchestras, choruses, and opera companies throughout the United States.