Four Faculty and Staff Members from the College of Fine Arts and Communications Have Retired This Past Year
“I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude for the faculty and staff within the College of Fine Arts and Communications who have retired after years of dedication and hard work,” said Dean Ed Adams
Faculty and staff retirees this year include Elizabeth Funk, George Nelson, Ray Smith and Ward Wright.

Elizabeth Funk | Department of Theatre and Media Arts
Elizabeth Funk worked as the administrative assistant in the Department of Theatre and Media Arts for 21 ½ years. Before she worked for the TMA department, Funk graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor's degree in music education, taught private voice and piano lessons and worked as a schoolteacher, including teaching at Utah Valley University as an adjunct English instructor. She worked briefly for the School of Music before moving to TMA. During her time with TMA, she worked closely with each department chair, provided support for the faculty rank and status and hiring processes and published two department newsletters each week. From 2006 to 2016, she served as an advisor to Divine Comedy

George Nelson | Department of Theatre and Media Arts
George Nelson worked as a professor and head of the theatrical writing program in the Department of Theatre and Media Arts for 32 years. He has also worked as a writer, curriculum designer, director and educational consultant. An award-winning director, Nelson has directed over 60 films, plays and musicals at BYU and other venues. Nelson’s musical “Single Wide

Ray Smith | School of Music
Ray Smith worked as a professor in the School of Music for 40 years. After graduating from BYU with a bachelor’s degree in music education, he received both his master’s and doctorate degrees in woodwinds performance from Indiana University. “I love teaching where I can teach aesthetic and musical truths and concepts within the framework of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Smith. Smith is proficient in all five woodwind instruments and numerous other instruments. He has recorded on more than 250 CDs and movie scores and has played with the Utah Symphony and the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. When Smith joined the faculty in 1982, he became the first ever saxophone teacher at BYU. In addition, he was the director of BYU's jazz ensemble, Synthesis

Ward Wright | Department of Theatre and Media Arts
Ward Wright worked as the assistant technical director and scene shop supervisor for the Department of Theatre and Media Arts for 21 years. Wright and his team were responsible for constructing and designing sets for many of the theatre program’s musicals, such as “The Phantom of the Opera.”