Do you want to impact a community through your passion, hard work, and dedication? Dr. Christian Ellenwood, a clarinet professor, has made a significant impact through the music department at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
After 30 years of being an active educator at the university, with many praising his compassionate approach to teaching, he has now been promoted to Music Department Chair.
“I have found that it is a good time to surge and to dedicate more time to serving the department,” Ellenwood said.
What many may not know is that by being put in an administrative role of the music department, he and many others are able to continue to teach. But, since Ellenwood is transitioning to this new position, he will have a lot of leadership, administrative, and other responsibilities.
“I am excited to learn about this new role and to serve students in a new way as well as ensure they will have the best experience in music, whether that is troubleshooting problems or helping students to their desired paths,” Ellenwood said. “A goal of mine as Music Department Chair is to continue to increase visibility of music through the city of Whitewater, the state of Wisconsin, and the region.”
The dean of the music department, Mike Dugan, shared his thoughts on the new music department chair.
“Dr. Ellenwood will approach the chair position with the same thoughtfulness, care, and professionalism that have defined his 30 years in the department,” Dugan said. “He is respected not only for his musical expertise but also for the way he mentors students and collaborates with colleagues. I expect he will treat the position as both a privilege and a responsibility, balancing the needs of students, faculty, and the broader music program.”
Dugan explained how Ellenwood will impact the Center of the Arts with his leadership skills as well as his strong connections between the music department and the campus of Whitewater, including the community.
“His ability to champion both artistic excellence and collaboration will help elevate performances, attract audiences, and highlight the CoAC’s role as a cultural hub,” Dugan said. “In short, his impact will ripple outward, strengthening the student experience while enhancing the visibility and vitality of the Greenhill Center of the Arts as a whole.”
Dugan praises Ellenwood’s “deep well of institutional knowledge, a genuine passion for student success, and the trust of his colleagues.”
“As a popular professor, he understands what engages and inspires students, and as a longtime faculty member, he knows how to navigate the challenges and opportunities within the department,” Dugan said. “His leadership will likely bring stability, clear vision, and fresh momentum to current initiatives.”
Former Music Department Chair Glenn Hayes stated how honored he was to serve in the role and how patient his colleagues and students in the music department were as he was learning and navigating through this position.
“Dean Dugan was a fantastic mentor; Kat Bastien was a saint!” Hayes said.
Hayes describes Ellenwood as a “compassionate person with a great sense of humor and a wonderfully clear thought process. He is going to be a great chair!”
With many kind and encouraging words from Dr. Ellenwood’s colleagues, the music department seems to grow brighter with improvement, inspiration, and knowledge with its new chair.
