The Board of Regents (BOR) convened for its first meeting of 2016 on Jan. 6 in Atlanta. For Tech, the meeting held votes on a new degree and professorships.

The BOR approved the establishment of Tech’s new Bachelor of Science in Music Technology degree. The degree program is the first of its kind at a University System of Georgia school and will be housed in the School of Music within the College of Architecture. 

In contrast to a performance or fine art degree, the program’s objective is to educate and train the next generation of designers, developers, leaders, and entrepreneurs in music technology. The curriculum combines professional training in music with interdisciplinary studies in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or industrial design. 

The addition of this degree also makes Tech one of only a few institutions in the nation offering a music technology degree at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral level. 

The meeting also brought the approval of a new professorship. The Dunn Family Early Career Professorship was established in the School of Physics for a tenure-track faculty member in the early stage of his or her academic career. The Board approved the appointment of John Wise, assistant professor, to this professorship, which is supported by the Dunn Family Foundation. 

The Board also approved the establishment of the Elizabeth D. and Thomas M. Holder Faculty Fund, which will be housed in the Scheller College of Business. Support for the fund is provided by Thomas M. Holder, a 1979 Tech graduate, and his wife Elizabeth. 

In addition, Vinod Singhal, who held the Dunn Family Professorship in Operations Management in the Scheller College of Business, was appointed to the Charles W. Brady Chair.  

Beyond Tech, the Board also approved the creation of the new Georgia State University, resulting from the consolidation of Georgia State University and Georgia Perimeter College. Mark Becker, president of Georgia State University, will continue in this capacity. 

Keep up with all University System of Georgia news at www.usg.edu.