PULLMAN, Wash.–The long-time adviser for student creative and performing arts committees has been named interim director of the Washington State University Museum of Art.
Marty Mullen, who has worked with student activities since 1972, will take over the director’s position Feb. 15. The post becomes vacant with the resignation of Patricia Watkinson, who leaves in February for a similar position with the Fort Wayne, Indiana, Museum of Art.
Provost Gretchen M. Bataille said she was pleased that Mullen has accepted the interim position.
“She brings with her extensive experience working with students and supervising special projects, as well as knowledge about WSU and the Pullman community,” the provost said. Mullen will continue to be involved with many of the joint activities of the museum and the Compton Union Building, including the Visual, Performing and Literary Arts Committee.
Mullen is a member of the Friends of the Museum of Art and has served on the museum advisory subcommittee of the university’s Research and Arts Committee. Her first appointment on the WSU campus nearly 26 years ago was to set up a volunteer practicum agency for the student body. About 18 months later, she accepted a program advisory position with the student activities center.
At one time or another during the last two decades, she has advised all of the ASWSU ethnic committees, Political Union, Election Board, Student Legal Services and the Housing Commission. Since 1980, she has been working with many of the arts committees: VPLAC, the CUB Gallery, Art a la Carte series, Lecture Artist Committee and CUB Film Committee. For last two years, she has also directed the organization of the 100K Run each April.
Currently, Mullen is actively involved in a monthly ethics interest group that discusses teaching ethics in and out of the classroom at a university setting.
Bataille said a search committee for the museum post has been appointed, chaired by WSU Libraries director Nancy Baker. Mullen said she has agreed to serve until a permanent director is named, but added she will not be an applicant for the post.
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