A Kansas University alumnus will return to his alma mater to lead the School of Fine Arts, KU officials said Wednesday.

Steve Hedden, dean of the College of Fine Arts at Wichita State University, will replace Toni-Marie Montgomery, who will depart KU in June to become dean of the School of Music at Northwestern University.

“The reputation of the university and the reputation of the School of Fine Arts made it very appealing,” Hedden said. “There is clear recognition of the quality of the programs at the University of Kansas, especially in the arts. The fact it’s my alma mater makes it even more appealing.”

Hedden, 60, will start July 1. He will be paid $130,000 per year.

The dean of fine arts oversees more than 1,400 students in performing and visual arts, visual art education, music therapy and music education. The school has more than 40 degree programs in three departments. The dean also oversees the Bales Organ Recital Hall and the Lied Center.

Hedden was named dean of the College of Fine Arts at Wichita State University in July. He said it would be difficult to leave the position after making a commitment less than a year ago.

“I’ll find it difficult to leave Wichita,” he said. “I’ve been here a short time, but I’ve made a lot of friends here. But I’m eager for the opportunities that await me in Lawrence.”

Hedden grew up in Colby, dragging Main Street with his best friend, Sam Ramey, now a world-famous opera singer.

He received bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from KU in 1964, 1969 and 1971, respectively. He also was a music teacher in the De Soto public schools from 1964 to 1969.

Hedden

After graduating from KU, he served one year on the faculty, then spent a year at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

He also taught 15 years at the University of Iowa, six as chairman of the music education department. He then went to the University of Arizona in 1987, where he was vice dean for academics and research for the College of Fine Arts since 2000.

Hedden said he was impressed with the quality of facilities and faculty he’ll work with at KU. He also said larger tuition increases at KU than at WSU would help ease the pain of state budget cuts.

He said he didn’t have plans for any major changes at the School of Fine Arts.

“The most important part is for me to listen carefully to the wisdom that’s already there,” he said. “Any kind of vision that exists for a school of fine arts is based on participation of many voices.”

¢More on Hedden from WSU¢More on Hedden from the University of Arizona¢KU’s top decision makers

John Gaunt, dean of the School of Architecture and chairman of the search committee, said Hedden’s experience made him the best candidate for the job.

“He has a very good grasp of issues,” Gaunt said. “That’s strongly tied to his administrative experience and record.”

He said the state budget constraints would be the most immediate challenge facing Hedden.

“We’re all in that boat,” Gaunt said. “You can’t stand still in tough times. You have to make decisions that are necessary to move things forward where you need them to move forward.”