MSU names new director of museum
General

MSU names new director of museum

  • 20 July 2005
  • 2 min read

Cohn Drennan has been named director of the Midwestern   State   University   Museum effective September 1, 2005 .

Since 1989, Drennan has held the position of deputy director of the United States Department of State, Art in Embassies Program, in Washington , DC . His responsibilities included supervising the Department of State's Art in Embassies Program, established by Congress in 1964 to increase international cultural awareness of American art through exhibitions at US embassies worldwide. He also served as the system administrator for the program's collection database providing a comprehensive history and current archive on all works of art, constituents and exhibitions. His performance resulted in 700% growth of Art in Embassies resources to meet and manage the Department of State's global demand and increasing requirements for public diplomacy and education programming.

During his tenure with the US Department of State, he received the Outstanding Performance Award every year from 1993 to 1999, and received the Superior Honor Award in 2001, 2003, and 2004.

Drennan received his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Design from Abilene   Christian   University in 1980 and his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of North Texas in 1986.

 

The donation and transfer of assets of the Wichita Falls   Museum & Art   Center to Midwestern   State   University was finalized June 21. The new museum will be established by MSU and known as the Wichita Falls   Museum and Art Center of Midwestern State University.

"I want to take the opportunity to thank the museum board, especially the executive committee, for their cooperation and hard work, and for making this come true," stated MSU President Jesse W. Rogers.

The museum will give Midwestern   State   University the opportunity to provide exhibitions to the public, such as the Moore History of Print Collection currently housed in the Moffett Library or the Fuhs Photography Collection, on a more convenient time schedule. In addition, the museum space will allow for larger groups at art openings and internships may also be provided for Midwestern   State   University students. Exhibitions of MSU's paleontology and mineralogy collections are examples of educational programming that will be made available to the public.

"It is our intention to bring school children through the galleries and have hands-on workshops dealing with various subjects from the fields of geology, environment and biology," stated Rogers .