Anne Lewis, DeSales University associate professor, has been named division head, Division of Performing Arts, DeSales University.

Lewis is the fourth person, the first woman and the first DeSales alumna to head the division, which is noting its 50th anniversary.

Lewis succeeds John Bell, who stepped down after serving as division head for 12 years.

Lewis, a 1980 DeSales theatre program graduate, began teaching at DeSales in 1998, and, in 2003, became a full-time faculty member.

“The big dream is to be able to continue to grow in the performing arts and spread the Salesian mission that the Oblates started at DeSales,” said Lewis. “And to live up to the high bar in quality Father Jerry Schubert [DeSales theater program founder] created and lived by in theater, dance and film. And I’d like to think to date we have done that.”

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the division is hosting events throughout the academic year.

An alumni reception was held during Homecoming Weekend Sept. 27.

“Best of the Fest,” showcasing student films from the last 20 years of the DeSales Film Festival, followed by an alumni reception, is March 27, 2020.

Elizabeth von Trapp, granddaughter of Maria, is in concert April 5, 2020, to usher in the DeSales theater production of “The Sound of Music.”

An alumni dance concert and reception is May 7, 2020.