June 11, 2001

Groom To Assume Position As Head Of WKU Music Department

Bowling Green, Ky. - Dr. Mitzi Groom, the new head of Western Kentucky University's Department of Music, is excited about "being a part of a community of musicians and a community of scholars at WKU."

Dr. Groom, who will assume her post July 1, comes to Western from Tennessee Tech University where she has been a professor since 1989 and interim chair of the Department of Music and Art since 1999.

Dr. Groom, 51, has 25 years of experience with choral music education, as a
professional accompanist and as a church organist/choir director and has been actively involved with a symphony orchestra association.

"I am anticipating working with a faculty of musical renown and learning how to work in a state where education is funded and appreciated," she said of her move to Western.

Dr. Groom also is national president-elect of the American Choral Directors Association for 2001-2003, which involves planning a national convention in New York City for 2003. She will be national president of the group in 2003-2005 and national vice president in 2005-2007.

"WKU is very supportive of my national leadership position, and I look forward to enjoying that support for many years to come," she said.

A native of Cullman, Ala., she received her bachelor's degree from Florence State University in 1972, her master's degree from the University of North Alabama in 1975 and her doctorate from Florida State University in 1979.

Her husband, Joseph D. Groom, is a retired college choral director. And their son, Joseph Jr., is a sixth-grader "who loves to read, sing, play the violin and ride his scooter," she said.

"This is a very exciting move for me and for my family," Dr. Groom said.

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