Patrick Long, dean of the School of the Arts and the School of Humanities, Susquehanna UniversitySusquehanna University has named Patrick Long as the dean of the School of the Arts and the School of Humanities, a position he has held on an interim basis since January 2025.
“Pat brings a deep well of institutional knowledge about Susquehanna, paired with a genuine passion for scholarship and a forward-looking vision for the university and its students,” Provost Dave Ramsaran said. “Coupled with the high regard in which he is held by his colleagues, Pat is well positioned to lead both the School of the Arts and the School of Humanities into a bright and successful future.”
As dean of the School of the Arts and the School of Humanities, Long will lead 10 academic departments and a team of 64 full-time faculty members. In close partnership with university leadership, he will help shape and strengthen Susquehanna’s academic vision. His efforts will focus on enhancing curriculum design, elevating teaching and learning, enriching academic advising, and supporting faculty development, scholarship and creative work — all in alignment with the university’s commitment to academic excellence. Long will also serve on President Jonathan Green’s Senior Leadership Team, as well as the Provost Council and University Council.
“I am deeply honored to be entrusted with this opportunity by colleagues I’ve had the privilege of working alongside for more than two decades,” Long said. “I look forward to continuing to support our exceptional faculty in their teaching and scholarship, and to helping prepare our students for meaningful lives of purpose and creativity.”
A history of service to Susquehanna
Long has had a long and successful tenure at Susquehanna. He joined the university in 2000 as assistant professor of music teaching composition, theory, music history and music technology. He was promoted to associate professor in 2007 and achieved full professor standing in 2015. Long served as music department head between 2009 and 2012, during which time he established Susquehanna’s minor in music technology and Bachelor of Music degree programs. He also initiated a comprehensive departmental plan for capital equipment upgrades and acquisitions, and successfully advocated for over $350,000 in university purchases for the department over three years. He also conceived, proposed and managed the repurposing of spaces used by the Music Department. This $50,000 project involved four faculty teaching studios, the piano lab, computer lab and the multipurpose rehearsal room in Weber Chapel.
Long has worked closely with the Advancement Office and university donors to realize the creation of the Margaret Pierce ’96 Frantz and Todd Frantz ’97 Recording Studio, which is among the largest and most aesthetically inspiring university-based studios in the country. The university’s original recording studio was created from scratch by Long using existing equipment and a budget of only $10,000. Long also helped to establish the Christopher R. McCormick Memorial Concert to produce an elaborate concert in honor of composition alumnus Kris McCormick, and to establish the guidelines for the Christopher R. McCormick ’15 Memorial Endowment for Musical Achievement and Potential.
In 2023, Long established the Music Production Institute, a summer program for high school students to compose, record and edit music, and it has run successfully the last two summers.
An active composer and percussionist, Long is the composer of over 100 premiered works. He earned his bachelor’s degree in composition and percussion from Syracuse University in 1991. He went on to earn his master’s degree and doctorate from the Eastman School of Music in 1993 and 1996 respectively.
