Dr. Bob Brooks Named Dean of the New College of Arts and Media
Dr. Robert (Bob) Rankin Brooks has been appointed Dean of the new College of Arts and Media at Hardin-Simmons University. He served previously at Hardin-Simmons University in the music faculty and as Dean of the College of Fine Arts.
President Eric Bruntmyer shared, “I’ve enjoyed getting to know Dr. Bob Brooks over these many years, and I believe he is a great addition to HSU’s academic team. I appreciate how he cares for each student that he meets and how he is gifted in unleashing their potential. I look forward to the growth in our new College of Arts and Media as we strengthen relationships throughout Texas and beyond.”
Dr. Bob Brooks
Dr. Brooks’ expansive career includes serving as Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Dean of the Graduate School of Ministry at Dallas Baptist University, Associate Director of Educational Outreach, and Director of Educational Outreach at The Juilliard School.
Dr. Brooks’ degrees include a Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education, Master of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts, and a Professional Internship in Arts Administration. His teaching background encompasses conducting, church music, music history, music and worship, musical theatre, arts administration, and the music industry. He has also directed numerous choral and instrumental ensembles, musicals, and worship events. Dr. Brooks has worked as a musician and an actor, from the worship of the church to the professional stage.
Dr. Brooks is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, Texas Choral Directors Association, National Association of Teachers of Singing, Texas Music Educators Association, and Actors Equity Association. Dr. Brooks is a member of First Baptist Church, Abilene.
About the College of Arts and Media
The College of Arts and Media employs the disciplines of communication, musical, theatrical, and visual arts in training student-artists to imagine, create, perform, present, and produce their artistry through the lens of a Christian worldview. The cornerstone of the foundation of the new College will be reimagined curricular offerings that prepare student-artists for successful careers.
The College of Arts and Media offers these programs:
Art
- Studio
- Graphic Design
- Paint/Drawing
- Photography
- 3D
Communication
- Digital Media
- Strategic Communication
Education
- Art
- Choral Music
- Instrumental Music
- Theatre
Music
- Business
- Composition
- Performance
- Worship Leadership
Theatre
- Acting
- Musical Theatre
- Stage Management
- Theatre Design
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July 11, 2025When four distinct academic departments came together under one umbrella at Hardin-Simmons University, few could have predicted the electric energy that would follow. The College of Arts and Media was born from a bold vision — to unite the School of Music, Department of Art, Department of Communication, and Department of Theatre into something greater than the sum of its parts. One year in, the results speak for themselves. The college has reimagined education for the next generation of artists and media professionals while modernizing its programs.
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