ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Professor Karen Oremus, interim dean of Winthrop University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, will assume the position as permanent dean, effective Aug. 1.
Provost Sebastian van Delden said he is thrilled to see “interim” removed from Oremus’ title. “I have worked closely with Karen over the last four months that I’ve been at Winthrop, and I have observed her talent and dedication to Winthrop and our students firsthand,” van Delden said. “Earlier this semester, our design and music programs were visited by NASAD and NASM external accreditation teams, respectively. Karen coordinated these efforts flawlessly.”
He also noted that feedback from the campus community on Oremus’ performance since she was named interim dean in June 2022 was overwhelmingly positive. “As Winthrop continues to pick up a lot of positive momentum, I cannot think of a more capable dean at my side to lead our university to new heights,” van Delden added.
As dean, Oremus will oversee the following areas in the College of Visual and Performing Arts: fine arts, design, music, theatre, dance, arts administration, the Arts in Basic Curriculum Institute and the Winthrop Galleries. The college has 49 full-time faculty, 43 part-time faculty and nine staff members.
“I am thrilled to officially accept the role of dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at this opportune moment, with a forward-looking vision that is deeply aligned with Winthrop University’s values and strategic directions. I believe our commitment to expand and strengthen program offerings, enrich our community partnerships, and foster a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere for all, positions us uniquely in the Visual and Performing Arts landscape. As we embrace the emerging Winthrop strategic plan, I am excited to work collaboratively to define a future that is not only prepared for but also shaped by our shared values of integrity, inclusivity, and innovation. Together, we will continue to celebrate our successes, address challenges with a proactive and practical approach, and ensure that our college’s growth and prominence are demonstrably enhanced. Now is a great time to be at Winthrop,” said Oremus.
She has substantial administrative experience in international education, accreditation, program building and assessment, fundraising, and community engagement. Oremus joined Winthrop in August 2018 as chair of the Department of Fine Arts, and was promoted to professor in 2021 and granted tenure in 2022. She also served as interim chair of the Department of Design from 2019-20.
Throughout her career, Oremus has worked as an artist, curator, and educator internationally in Australia, Canada, the United States, Italy, England, Germany, China, Estonia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Japan, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and the Middle East.
She received her B.F.A. in printmaking with a minor in Roman archaeology at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. She studied painting and printmaking at the Academia di Belli Arte di Roma (Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, Italy) and completed her archaeological field school at the University of Warwick in Coventry, England. She graduated with an M.F.A. in printmaking from the Tyler School of Art of Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Prior to joining Winthrop, Oremus worked for 15 years as an associate professor, chair, assistant dean, and interim dean in the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises at Zayed University in the United Arab Emirates. She was responsible for the establishment and development of the first printmaking studio and printmaking discipline in the nation’s capital on the Abu Dhabi campus and contributed to the establishment of the college.
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at longshawj@winthrop.edu or at 803/323-2404.
