6/7/98
Editors: A headshot of R. William Rowley suitable for newspaper use is available on the Web at: http://www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/rowley.jpg
ATHENS, Ohio -- R. William Rowley, most recently an associate professor at Ithaca (N.Y.) College and chair of its Cinema and Photography Department since 1994, is the new director of Ohio University's School of Film.
Rowley has worked at Ohio University before, from 1983 to 1986 as manager of the film lab and Peterson Sound Studio and from 1970 to 1972 as film lab supervisor. His appointment as director of the school was effective July 1.
An assistant professor at Ithaca College from 1986 to 1992 and an associate professor there from 1992 until his current appointment, Rowley saw Ithaca's Cinema and Photography Department grow from 80 to 315 students in 12 years. In addition to his other roles, Rowley participated in space and facilities planning for a new building to house the department. The new building, completed in 1989, and a $15 million bequest to the department in 1996 allowed Ithaca's program to "take significant steps into the new digital technologies being used in film production and post-production," he said.
Rowley said he would like to integrate more of these digital technologies at Ohio University while continuing to provide a foundation in the longstanding processes and tools of filmmaking.
"I want our program to provide our students with solid professional preparation as well as the opportunity to develop their own creative voices," Rowley said. "By giving them that, we position them -- if they want -- to be independent, consummate filmmakers." He also hopes to work with undergraduate film programs at other Ohio colleges and universities to bring more visiting film professionals and artists to the state. Ohio University has the state's only graduate-level film program, offering master of arts and master of fine arts degrees in filmmaking.
The Ohio University program has important strengths, Rowley said. He cites its three-year period of study, which gives students time to delve deeply into filmmaking; its highly regarded faculty, staff and students, many of whom bring an international dimension to the school; and a strong curriculum in the environment of creative inquiry provided by the College of Fine Arts.
"Most students in this program want to tell stories in narrative fiction films," Rowley said, pointing to the results of a recent student survey. "But they don't seem to emulate Hollywood entertainment. They want to make films that inquire and express in a profound way."
Rowley earned a bachelor of arts degree in broadcasting and film in 1966, a master of arts in photography/film in 1970 and a master of fine arts in multimedia in 1974, all from the University of Iowa. James Stewart, who just concluded a three-year stint as interim dean of the College of Fine Arts, said Rowley brings strong leadership qualities to his new position.
"Following a two-year search, Bill Rowley will bring a wealth of professional and academic experience to his new position as director of the School of Film," Stewart said. "With his leadership, the School of Film will advance into the next century -- artistically and technologically -- and will become one of the premier training centers for filmmakers in the United States."
Professor of Theater Robert Winters served as interim director of the school during the 1997-98 academic year. David Thomas was director of the school from 1984 to 1997 and continues to serve as an Ohio University professor of film.
