From August 2011 to May 2014 Linda Smith served as Interim Chair of the Ballet Department. Although lacking any background in dance, she succeeded in moving the department forward in a number of important ways. According to Donna White, Associate Dean of the Graduate School, under Smith’s leadership “the Department has made progress in such important areas as: creating and implementing a strategic plan, specifically with respect to its undergraduate educational mission; major curricular reform using the guidance of a National Association of Schools of Dance consultant; creating an emphasis and a certificate in teaching; working more collaboratively with the Department of Modern Dance, and hiring two new faculty members . . .” Smith was tapped for this service by Associate Vice President Amy Wildermuth and (then) Senior Vice President David Pershing, who also applaud this service.