A welcome message from Dean Orr
Dear College of the Arts community,
As the Fall 2026 semester gets underway at the University of Florida, please allow me to welcome you, for the first time as your new dean, to a new academic year at the College of the Arts.
This moment is extraordinarily meaningful to me. Like many of you, I’m returning for a new semester at the college — my 27th year, to be exact. And yet, like many of you, I also have a case of the first-day jitters. After 26 years of teaching in the School of Music and 11 years in leadership, I cannot emphasize enough how honored I am to serve as the dean of the college whose students, faculty, staff, donors, friends, and alumni, and the mentors who held this seat before me; who have so profoundly shaped my path, and from whom I’ve learned so much.
Whether you’re meeting me for the first time, or if you’ve seen me running around campus for a decade or more, allow me to re-introduce myself. I’m Kevin Orr: pianist, teacher, partner to my wife, dad to my dachshund, and highly motivated dean of your College of the Arts.
I’ve seen firsthand what the College of the Arts community can accomplish when we come together with a common purpose. I’ve seen the extraordinary drive, the talent, and scholarship of our students and faculty who are making waves in their field. I’ve experienced the passionate advocacy and generosity of our friends and supporters with whom I’ve worked alongside to pursue ambitious goals for COTA’s future. And I’ve been humbled by the remarkable professionalism of our staff without whom these ambitious goals — and successes — would not be possible.
In the days ahead, I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you better. You will see me around! I am eager to hear from COTA students and faculty across the college: to understand more deeply about your areas of expertise, your research and creative work, your challenges, and what goals you’d like to see our college pursue as we plan for the future.
Alumni, emeritus faculty, and supporters, I look forward to sharing conversations about how we can work together to create meaningful experiences and lasting impacts for the students — future Gator alumni — who have chosen the College of the Arts for this meaningful chapter of their lives.
It’s a new year at the University of Florida, and I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and dig into the opportunities inherent to this exceptional community of artists, scholars, researchers, performers, innovators, and collaborators. As your new dean, I endeavor to earn your trust, and return your generosity in service to the college community I’m proud to call home.
My warmest wishes for a successful year ahead.
Sincerely,
Kevin R. Orr, DMA
Dean and Professor
UF College of the Arts