Dean of the Faculty
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean
John S. Beckford is Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean, and Professor of Music at Furman University. The VPAA is the chief academic officer and has the primary responsibility for administration and management of the academic program, including the hiring of all faculty and optimization of resource allocations and staffing within Academic Affairs. He earned his Bachelor of Music, Master of Fine Arts, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Iowa where he studied percussion with Thomas L. Davis. His original appointment to Furman was in 1976 as Furman's first full-time percussion instructor and instructor of music history. In March 2008 he was appointed Dean of the Faculty and then named VPAA in April 2010 by President Smolla following the elimination of the Provost position. Prior to his administrative appointment, Dr. Beckford served on forty-three university committees and was Chair of the Faculty from 2005-2007. As Faculty Chair, he presided over the debates leading to the revision of the general education curriculum and the academic calendar, and crafted the organizational plan by which these changes were implemented. He continues to be an active performer and teaches a course in World Music at Furman. In his spare time Dr. Beckford enjoys sailing, running, a never-ending project to revitalize his backyard, and his three grandchildren.
Dr. John S. Beckford
Administration Building 200
3300 Poinsett Highway
Greenville, SC 29613
(864) 294-2214
Executive Assistant
Lori Law
Administration Building Room 200
(864) 294-2007