Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., took on his new role as provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs on July 1. Previously, he served as dean of the College of Music and Fine Arts at Loyola University New Orleans, a position he held since 2009. The Board of Trustees unanimously endorsed his selection, which followed an extensive national search.
“Dr. Boomgaarden is a distinguished scholar, educator and administrator with more than 30 years experience, including a decade serving in teaching and leadership positions at sister Jesuit schools,” University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., said. “I am delighted that we have identified a person who displays the kind of creativity and deep commitment to students, faculty, and Catholic and Jesuit education that are at the core of our success at The University of Scranton.”
A noted historian of 18th century opera, music aesthetics and harmonic theory, he published a book entitled "Musical Thought in Britain and Germany During the Early Eighteenth-Century" and wrote many articles and reviews for scholarly journals.
In addition, he has been active as a member of the Board of Directors of the New Orleans Opera and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. He is also a member of the New Orleans Historical Society, Louis Armstrong Foundation and Louisiana Basset Hound Rescue. He continues to perform regularly as a concert pianist and also as a country fiddler.
