The Chancellor's Note: October 2025

Dear UNCSA Community,

As a public university, UNCSA frequently opens its doors to visitors: patrons, donors, parents, alumni, guest artists, prospective students, and more. We’re happy to welcome guests because the more people who see what we do here, the bigger the buzz we create in the community, the state and the industry!

Just last weekend, we welcomed families of current students and alumni to our annual Homecoming, held Oct. 10-12. We had more than 700 people, including 150 alumni, sign up to attend activities ranging from tours of campus to open classes and from film screenings to gallery exhibits. I was lucky enough to host a breakfast on Saturday and we all celebrated UNCSA’s 60th anniversary with a block party and campus parade that afternoon. Design & Production alumnus Houston Odum (B.F.A. ’22) brought his popular Circus Evo troupe to perform.

The alumni capped things off with their Beaux Arts Ball Saturday night at the Millennium Center downtown and an alumni panel representing all five arts schools at a farewell brunch in Eisenberg Social Hall on Sunday morning. We were especially pleased to welcome Golden Pickles from the legacy years of 1975 and earlier. Kudos to our Advancement Division and Alumni Office for putting together a memorable weekend that was enjoyed by all.  

During Homecoming, I heard several alumni talk about the magic of UNCSA and what it has meant to their lives. Filmmaking alumnus Rohit Lila Ram (B.F.A. ’23), of Pakistan, currently studying for his master’s here, said: “It is a magical place, I always think. There's something different and unique in the air, in this community full of artists, of all different kinds. And the best part is that you collaborate with all of them together whenever you want.” You can hear more alumni reactions in this video from Homecoming.  

While Homecoming welcomed alumni and parents back to UNCSA, we have an opportunity to welcome the next generation to UNCSA in coming weeks. Our annual Preview Days are this Friday, Oct. 24, for undergraduate students, and Tuesday, Nov. 11, for high school students.  

Preview Days represent an opportunity for prospective students and families to visit campus for tours, information sessions, student panel discussions, engagement experiences, and to take a deep dive into our conservatories. 

Each Preview Day brings several hundred people — prospective students and their families — to our campus. Please mark your calendars and be prepared to share our wonderful community with our guests. These are great days to wear a name tag and your UNCSA gear, and to help out if someone seems lost or has a question. We know that students, faculty and staff are our best ambassadors! 

Finally, if you haven’t already heard, we received the largest gift ever in our 60-year history last week: more than $10.1 million from Winston-Salem residents Randy and Kamu Dishmon to establish the American Roots Music Institute at UNCSA. In coming months, Music Dean Saxton Rose will be consulting with nationally recognized musicians, including singer/songwriter/guitarist  Martha Bassett of “The Martha Bassett Show”; fiddle and banjo virtuoso Rex McGee; pedal steel guitar player DaShawn Hickman; and alumnus, guitarist and American roots specialist Justin Poindexter (H.S. ’01, B.M. ’06) to begin designing the program, which kicks off with a minor and high school offerings in fall 2026.

We will be welcoming many new faces — and some familiar ones — to campus as the institute comes to fruition. I’m so pleased that this new opportunity has been welcomed with open arms by so many people in North Carolina, and beyond! 

Enjoy your fall!

Sincerely,

Brian Cole 
Chancellor