University News

Retirement Reception for Sharon Evans

April 25, 2017

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MACOMB, IL – Sharon Evans, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) at Western Illinois University, will retire from the University May 31. A reception will be held in her honor from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 9 in the University Art Gallery.

Evans began working at WIU in 1984 as an assistant professor of broadcasting in the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences. Shortly after her arrival, she became director of broadcasting. Over the years, she advanced to the rank of professor and became chair of the newly-created Department of Broadcasting in 2005. In 2008, she was named the interim dean of COFAC and was later named associate dean of COFAC. Evans served as interim dean of COFAC from 2011-2012.

In Spring 1985, Evans received approval from the University's governing board (then the Illinois Board of Governors) and the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) to build a broadcast-quality television studio and purchase portable equipment. In Summer 1999, the student-run station moved from analog to digital technology, years ahead of other schools.

Evans has built the once television-only broadcasting unit into a full-range broadcasting department, and she developed the first sports broadcasting production program in the state.

Evans is a graduate of the University of North Texas, where she earned her Ph.D. (1985) and her Master of Arts degree (1978) in Radio-TV-Film. Her Bachelor of Arts degree (1977) in Radio-TV-Film is from Baylor University.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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