Patricia J. Flowers

Florida State University changes people’s lives for the better, and the College of Music’s dean, Patricia Flowers, is a classic example.

By Anna Prentiss

Flowers, who graduated with a doctorate from the FSU College of Music in 1981, has served as dean since 2013. She has stepped down from that position in June after helping build upon the College’s outstanding reputation for the past seven years.

“FSU reaches people from all walks of life, opening the door to possibilities that would have otherwise remained unknown,” Flowers said. “FSU prepares its students for what is to come, giving them the knowledge, experience and resilience to pursue their aspirations. I strongly believe in the mission of public higher education and understand its power in making a difference to people and society. FSU changes the world.”

As dean, Flowers has made a direct impact on how FSU, and specifically the College of Music, is changing the world by setting several priorities to sustain the college’s legacy well into the future.

Under her direction, the College has raised more than $26 million dollars, and opened 50 new funds for students, faculty, programs, and facilities.

Those funds have supported the purchase of new instruments for the Marching Chiefs, the creation of the Callaway Courtyard, and setting the plan in motion for the new Rockwood organ, as well as numerous music scholarships and special funds to support student learning. Flowers also facilitated the purchase of new Steinway pianos for Opperman Music Hall, Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, and faculty studios.

One of the most meaningful and memorable highlights for Flowers was overseeing a fundraising campaign that aided in sending the Marching Chiefs to participate in France’s official D-Day Normandy Parade last June (2019), which marked the 75th anniversary of the bold mission and honored the brave soldiers who helped win World War II.

Dr. Patricia J. Flowers, seated in the Warren D. Allen Music Library with the Christening gown, regalia, and diploma belonging to Ella Scoble Opperman, first dean of what would become the Florida State University College of Music. “We are overwhelmed by the generosity of so many who made the trip possible,” Flowers said. “Not only was it an opportunity to honor those who sacrificed for our country in a time of dire need, but also an occasion to reflect on the value of freedom and our responsibility to preserve it at all costs.”

In addition to fundraising, Flowers’ focus has been on hiring outstanding new faculty members who would pick up the mantle as faculty retired. Over the past seven years, she’s hired 27 new faculty members, approximately 30 percent of the full-time music faculty.

“They will become part of the storied history of this great institution,” remarked Flowers.

The arts have a strong history at FSU, and music has been part of the curriculum since 1901.

“No individual can take credit for the success of the College of Music,” Flowers said. “Its legacy began 120 years ago and grew to its current status through the hard work of dedicated faculty, alumni, administration, and friends.”

Flowers said that the continued success of the program is a collective effort, and she’s especially grateful for the ongoing support of University President John Thrasher and Provost Sally McRorie who recognize the value of the arts in culture and life.

“Dean Flowers has been remarkably successful in leading our renowned College of Music,” McRorie continued. “Her love for everyone who is part of that great community, or just one of its thousands of fans, shines through every day. Her unwavering leadership will be missed.”

During her tenure, Flowers has traveled from coast to coast, meeting College of Music alumni, ranging from recent graduates to those well into their 90s.

“What impresses me is the appreciation people express for their education at FSU and their connection to it decades later,” says Flowers. “I will never forget this powerful community and am grateful to have been a part of these conversations.” Prior to arriving at Florida State, Flowers served on the faculty of The Ohio State University’s School of Music, where she served for 15 years as chair of graduate studies in music and received awards for outstanding teaching and research.

Originally trained as an oboist, Flowers earned the bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Kent State University before pursuing a doctorate at FSU. She has been honored as a distinguished alumna at both institutions.

During her lengthy career in music education, she has served in numerous leadership capacities and received recognition for her research and contributions to the field, including the Senior Researcher Award given by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).

When the dean position opened at FSU in 2013, Flowers was intrigued by the prospect of returning to her alma mater.

“I thought that I had a sufficiently broad background in higher education to understand the challenges of a large university music program and hoped that I could help position the College well for changes to come,” she said. “The renown of the College and its people were also an enticement. I wondered if it would be as good as its reputation, and quickly found out it’s even better.”

As Flowers steps down as dean, she said the greatest joy of her seven years has been working with the fine people associated with the College of Music and the University at large.

“The level of commitment and love for this institution is exceptional,” Flowers said. “In good times and bad, there is a sense of teamwork that lifts the entire enterprise. I have loved hearing our students and faculty perform and learning about their scholarly and service projects. The scope and quality of the work is impressive, and I always knew that anything I could do to support this college would be worth the effort.”

Ella Scoble Opperman, first director of the School of Music at the Florida State College for Women from 1911, and its first dean from 1920-1944; the FSCW would become Florida State University in 1947.

Over the summer, Associate Dean for Outreach and Engagement Gregory Jones posed a few questions to Dr. Flowers, reflecting upon her unique relation to Ella Scoble Opperman as the College of Music’s second female dean.

Ella Scoble Opperman, the first Dean of Music at FSU retired in 1944. What are your thoughts about your place as the second woman in this leadership position as the College nears its 120th year?

Ella Opperman arrived in Tallahassee in 1911 to lead the music program at Florida State College for Women (FSCW) and retired in 1944 after 33 years of service. Within three years of her retirement, FSCW became coeducational and was re-named Florida State University. In many ways, her life as dean at a women’s college in the early/mid 20th century was very different than what it would be today as dean of a large public research university. She was heavily involved in daily operations, curriculum planning, teaching, and performing. She interacted with students and knew them by name, and she took summers off when she traveled extensively, returning to Tallahassee in time for fall term. Dean Opperman was smart, well-educated, diplomatic, a good decision maker, and nationally known for her leadership. I credit her with laying a strong foundation upon which the College of Music was built. I became Dean of the College of Music in 2013, 102 years after Dean Opperman was first appointed, and 69 years after her retirement. Imagine how much changed during her lifetime and beyond. For example, Dean Opperman was 47 years old by the time the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified and she was able to vote. By today’s standards, women in her era had fewer opportunities for personal independence and professional advancement, yet Dean Opperman did not consider her gender to have been a deterrent to her work at FSU. She attempted to put the issue to rest in her book, Annals of the School of Music (1947): “I should like to say that during my 33 years in this position at Florida State College for Women, no one in the college, the city, nor in the State of Florida ever gave any indication to me that they considered my being a woman any handicap to the carrying on of my responsibilities.”

Ella Opperman was a trailblazer for women in higher education but there is still a way to go before women are proportionately represented in leadership roles. More women than men graduate from college at all degree levels, yet as one goes through the professional ranks, the balance tips in the other direction. There is plenty of discussion about good, bad, and real reasons why this happens, but I am most attuned when women come to me asking for advice, encouragement, or mentorship to reach their own professional goals. Sometimes students tell me I’m a role model just by virtue of having been dean. Like Ella Opperman, I never felt that gender was an issue, let alone a deterrent, during my time as dean at FSU, but learning the skills and having the confidence to move into such a role is a big step. I am grateful to the teachers and mentors I’ve had throughout my life who nudged me to accomplish things I would not have thought possible. I am also deeply appreciative of the support I received from the entire FSU community. If my presence in the dean’s office opened up a glimmer of possibility to others, I would be pleased to continue the conversation. We all need a strong network; no one can do it alone.

Since delving into the archives on campus, I’ve spent a great deal of time thinking about Dean Opperman’s life, times, and accomplishments. Her distant voice became an inspiration for me. As dean, I felt a responsibility to build on the legacy of the College of Music back to its inception some 120 years ago. I identified with Ella Opperman in her role as Chair of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) Ethics Committee from 1935-40, a position I held from 2017-20. I understood the pride she must have felt in hiring qualified teachers that elevated the music program to the next level, just as I took great satisfaction in bringing in outstanding new faculty to carry the College forward. As I read through her existing documents, I saw the quality of her reasoning within that time and place, and also observed what a different world we are living in today. Is 69 years too long a timespan between one-woman dean and the next? All I can say is that we are better off when we remain mindful of the diversity that exists in the arts and society, and when we seek new energy and fresh ideas from multiple perspectives. Knowing history informs our understanding of contemporary voices that inspire inclusivity and excellence in a forward-looking College of Music.

What surprised you when once you transitioned from full-time teaching into administrative leadership?

It’s honestly hard to remember not having some administrative responsibilities since the transition began back in 1992 when I became Chair of Graduate Studies in Music at The Ohio State University. It was a 12-month job that extended across the entire school and connected me to the university-at-large in ways that I enjoyed. A big change was in moving from a 9-month appointment to 12-month, giving up the summers that were used for research and rejuvenation. University faculty have busy lives with teaching, research, creative activity, and service, but there is some flexibility in balancing one’s own workload, whereas administrative positions require almost perennial accessibility and an abundant amount of time spent in the office. Moving into administration required some adjustments but was compensated by gaining an overarching view of music in higher education, participating in meaningful decision making, and getting to know many wonderful students and faculty across disciplines. When I accepted that position, I agreed to a four-year term but ultimately stayed in it for 15 years, all the while continuing to teach and do research. These professional activities went by the wayside when I became Dean of the College of Music at FSU, a position with a much more extensive purview of administrative responsibilities. The move to FSU allowed me to be more deeply engaged with higher education issues across campus and nationally, and more influential at the strategic and programmatic levels. I learned something new nearly every day on the job. I loved the scope of the work and the many wonderful people with whom I had the privilege of interacting in my role as dean.

What distinguishes the FSU College of Music and makes it unique among collegiate music programs?

The College of Music is defined by its storied history, strong alumni network, large and talented student body, comprehensive programs, dedicated faculty, and a university community that is supportive of the arts. There is a certain vibrancy and cando attitude that permeates our halls and classrooms. FSU is a friendly and welcoming campus where we strive to create a positive environment for all who come here. Another hallmark is the broad range of community opportunities the College provides: music therapy and choir experiences for young children, an expansive summer music camps program for students in grades K-12, and many opportunities for older adults to visit the College for continued learning and enjoyment. Participants in these programs develop an affinity for FSU that often lasts a lifetime. Finally, FSU music faculty and alumni are engaged in successful music careers throughout the U.S. and around the world, bringing distinction to our programs and attracting the next generation of students. All of this contributes to the unique College of Music community that encompasses large distances, spans many decades, and is characterized by a lasting camaraderie and supportive professional network.

What are your plans now that you are returning to a full-time faculty position?

In 1943, a reporter from the Tallahassee Democrat asked Ella Opperman what she was going to do when she retired. She replied, “Just take life easy.” In fact, she wrote a book (Annals of the School of Music), traveled extensively, attended concerts, and remained involved in multiple organizations for another 25 years. Perhaps that was her idea of taking life easy! I am not retiring but returning to the faculty as a Professor of Music Education. Teaching music is what brought me to the profession in the first place and I look forward to finishing my career as a music educator. Like Dean Opperman, I plan to write, travel, attend concerts, and stay involved in organizations that are important to me. I am currently developing a graduate course on the history and sociology of music education for spring semester and am looking forward to involvement with the summer MME program in London. I have more writing plans than I can ever accomplish and was recently gifted a lovely alto recorder that is calling out to be played. It has been an honor to serve as Dean of the College of Music and I stand ready to contribute however I can as an alumna, former dean, and member of the faculty.