As a University, we cannot thank Dean Ranta enough for his immeasurable contributions
The University of Memphis and larger
to our campus, the community and the arts. As the founding dean of the College of
community celebrate the extraordinary
Communication and Fine Arts, he has overseen its growth to include the only doctoral-
accomplishments and international
granting music school in Tennessee, a collection of more than 1,400 ancient Egyptian
recognition that Dr. Richard Ranta has
antiquities, and a national reputation for excellence. During that time, he has guided
brought to the College of Communication
a generation of talented artists, actors, musicians, journalists, writers and filmmakers.
and Fine Arts! As Founding Dean,
Their contributions are his true legacy, and it is a remarkable one.
Dr. Ranta has dutifully served the university
Dr. M. David Rudd | President, University of Memphis
for decades and his legacy of loyalty, commitment to excellence in scholarly/ creative activities, and sharing his talents and skills with affiliated local, regional,
Richard Ranta has been part of the production team for the annual GRAMMY Awards Telecast on CBS since 1983. I’ve been attending the GRAMMY Awards every year since 1995. I always seek out Richard in the post party to see if he has any interesting behind the scenes stories to share. Jon Hornyak Senior Executive Director, The Recording Academy Memphis Chapter
national and international organizations is unparalleled. Additionally, Dick has championed diversity and equity and paved the way for scores of students and faculty from all walks of life to become active scholars in the College of Communication and Fine Arts. From judging the local “Knowledge Bowl” for high school students to his production role for the Grammys and Latin Grammys for television, Dean Richard Ranta has left an indelible mark in all areas of communication and fine arts, and I am pleased to have had the privilege of working with him throughout my tenure at the university. We will continue to build on our successes achieved through the
Thank you for the more than 30 years of partnership and friendship. It has been a pleasure. Honey and Rudi Scheidt
contributions of dedicated employees like Dean Ranta. Karen Weddle-West | Provost, University of Memphis
[I was in the Speech/Drama Department from 1969, before Richard got his PhD in 1974.] Dean Ranta was one of the best bosses I ever had. He was always most concerned about what
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was best for the students, even when pushed by administration to make deep cuts. He would always listen to my point of view and often changed his mind. Unlike many senior administrators, he liked to hear differing opinions and dissenting points of view. He was very good at bringing people together to build consensus despite college-unit varying perspectives. He always, always, put what was best for the College of Communication and Fine Arts first. He would have made an outstanding university president. It is unfortunate that he didn’t get that opportunity. I consider it one of the privileges of my life to have worked with him. James “Jim” Redmond | Emeritus Professor of Journalism and Former Chair
ccfa.memphis.edu VOICES 9