Lander University's Department of Music has received an outstanding review from a team of educators representing the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), which has reaccredited the department for another eight years.
The team members spent three days visiting the university, meeting with senior administrators, music faculty and students, and the choral director of Greenwood High School. In their report, they said the effectiveness of Lander's music program is the result of "excellent collaboration and advisement between the education and music units." They had high praise for Dr. Lila Noonkester, music department chair, who the evaluators said has the respect of the faculty and students.
The report also noted exceptional expertise and high-quality instruction provided by the music education faculty, which it described as "versatile, strong, well qualified, dedicated and hardworking." The student body, it said, appreciates the size and focus of the program.
Remarking on the reaccreditation report, Lander President Dr. Daniel Ball said, "It is reassuring to hear that the Commission on Accreditation recognizes what we all know to be an outstanding music program, and thanks to the faculty who have worked to receive this recognition for Lander." He added, "Accreditation requires a lot of sustained effort on the part of many, and I am personally grateful for that effort."
Noonkester thanked her colleagues across the campus who assisted the music department with its self-study, the evaluation visit, the optional response and the progress reports. She said Lander has been accredited by NASM since 1997, and the department's next comprehensive review is scheduled during the 2022-23 academic year.
As an organization, NASM has an accredited membership of 625 institutions, including specialty schools of music, conservatories and universities offering music programs.