The endowed chair will provide lasting support for the recruitment and retention of a distinguished faculty member specializing in Baroque and Early Music, strengthening the university's leadership in historically informed performance, scholarship and artistic excellence. The fund will also support related programming, including lectures, visiting professors, travel, supplies and other initiatives that advance the study and performance of Baroque and Early Music.
Fran Nolan, a recipient of the Order of the Palmetto for her contributions to conservation and the arts, and Dennis Nolan, the university's Webster Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Labor Law, have long championed the transformative power of education, culture and the arts. Their gift reflects a lifelong appreciation for music, travel and artistic exploration, as well as a belief that cultural experiences connect generations, disciplines and communities.
Through their extraordinary generosity, Fran and Dennis Nolan are ensuring that students and audiences alike will benefit from exceptional teaching, scholarship and performance opportunities for generations to come.
— Tayloe Harding, Dean of the USC School of Music
"The establishment of the Fran and Dennis Nolan Endowed Chair in Baroque and Early Music represents a significant investment in the future of the School of Music and in the cultural life of our university," said Tayloe Harding, Dean of the USC School of Music. "Through their extraordinary generosity, Fran and Dennis Nolan are ensuring that students and audiences alike will benefit from exceptional teaching, scholarship and performance opportunities for generations to come."
The endowed chair will enhance the School of Music's ability to attract internationally recognized faculty and expand opportunities for students to engage with the rich traditions of Baroque and Early Music. By providing permanent support for faculty excellence and programmatic innovation, the gift will strengthen the university's commitment to preserving and advancing one of the most influential periods in music history.
“The Music School’s faculty and students have brought us great pleasure over past half-century,” Dennis Nolan said. “We hope our gift will help the School do the same for others.”
The Fran and Dennis Nolan Endowed Chair in Baroque and Early Music will be awarded in accordance with university policies and administered through the School of Music in partnership with the Office of the Provost. The inaugural appointment will be announced at a future date.
This landmark gift reflects the Nolans' enduring commitment to the University of South Carolina, the School of Music and their belief in the power of the arts to enrich lives, foster discovery and strengthen communities.
Pictured above: Dennis and Fran Nolan on a cold day in Akureyri in northern Iceland during one of their recent international travels.