Alumni Spotlights

Benson is the executive director of the Richland Academy of the Arts (RAA) in Mansfield, Ohio. Following a distinguished career in higher education, including teaching and administrative appointments, he retired as professor emeritus of music from Malone University in May 2023. Now focused on the RAA's mission to foster creative potential through artistic expression, Benson is leading a fundraising campaign for the organization, which serves approximately 1,900 students weekly across multiple arts disciplines in eight Ohio counties.

Bruce Faulconer has completed a Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, now streaming on Spotify. He completed 20 songs for a children's book series in the past year. His recording studio, CakeMix, located in Dallas, Texas, recently opened a certified Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 mixing room.

Hai Zheng, Assistant Professor of Music and Artist in Residence from Sarofim School of Fine Arts at Southwestern University, will be featured in season three, episode two of the Amazon documentary "The Story of Art in America." The series features in-depth interviews with artists and art historians, highlighting the role of the arts in American society and its historical significance.