Oliver H. Evans, President of Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University, has announced that the college is opening the 2010-2011 academic year with a new administrative position in place. Max S. Shangle, former Chair of the Furniture Design Program, has been named Dean of the College.
Shangle’s new role will focus on program development and program compliance while developing improvement in communication between programs, between academic departments and between programs and administration. He will also be planning for future growth of the college and its facilities, classrooms and the demands of such growth.
Shangle has been with Kendall 30 years. In addition to serving Kendall in the classroom, Shangle has also served as Chair of the College Senate where he was responsible for curriculum, compliance and shared governance. He has also served as Coordinator/Co-creator of the MBA Certificate in Design and Innovation Management offerings housed at the college. Shangle has played a key role in the furniture industry serving on numerous juries in furniture design competition among students, including the prestigious Pinnacle Awards for the American Society of Furniture Designers, and Design Emphasis for the International Woodworking Fair.
He has lectured both nationally and internationally on furniture design and manufacturing subjects and has authored several furniture related articles.
Shangle was born in San Antonio, Texas and graduated high school in East Grand Rapids, Michigan. He received his BS degree from Western Michigan University and his MS from Ferris State University. He stated, “Looking ahead to the opportunities and challenges this position will present, I have two questions. In service to our students; where does our college and its programs stand and is it the best we can do? Building on our reputation and legacy; as we grow, how do we position ourselves for change?” The new Dean of the College began his responsibilities on August 1, 2010 and reports to President Evans.
As a part of Ferris State University, Kendall College of Art and Design offers programs that prepare the college's graduates for professional lives as artists and designers. Kendall’s undergraduate programs include art education, art history, digital media, fine arts, furniture design, graphic design, illustration, industrial design, interior design, metals/jewelry, painting, photography, and sculpture and functional art.
Kendall also offers the MFA in Fine Arts and the MBA with a Concentration in Design and Innovation Management. Kendall is an active community partner and annually provides over 2,000 children and adults the opportunity to pursue courses in art and design through a richly varied continuing studies program. www.kcad.edu.