TROY, Ala.--Looked at by many as an anchor of Troy University’s music programs, Dr. William Denison has had the challenge of being the principal support for students and faculty of the John M. Long School of Music for the past 37 years.

This is not a challenge that he has taken lightly.  Keeping the students at the School of Music firmly grounded in their studies and the faculty steadfastly focused on their goals is an accomplishment that Troy University is proud to have witnessed.

However, there will be a noticeable void in the School of Music when Dr. Denison retires after the Spring 2005 semester.

Having worn many hats in the School of Music such as a professor of music, assistant chairman of the music department, director of the collegiate singers, interim dean and director of the School of Music , Denison has had a variety of tasks to keep him busy for the past 37 years. 

Described as a “wise man” by a former student, “the very best administrator we could have asked for” by a faculty member and “one of the smartest people I had ever seen” by the man who hired him, Denison has used his nearly four decades at Troy University to make a positive impact countless lives.

One life he has greatly impacted, likely a person that Denison least expected to effect, is Dr. John M. Long, who hired him in 1967.

“I hired him because I was so impressed with his credentials, but now he has become one of my best friends,” said Long.

Long adds that over the years he and Denison has worked on almost everything together.  “He advised me and I advised him,” Long said.

Denison agrees, “Dr. Long and I formed a compliment together.  There were things that he could do well that I could not and vise versa.”

Through working so closely together, this friendship that developed was noticed and admired by others.

 “In my thesis about Dr. Long’s life and career, I found that one fascinating aspect of both is his friendship with Dr. Denison,” said John Hillsman, a former student currently serving as the band director at Washington County HS in Sandersville , GA.

“I remarked in my thesis that Dr. Denison’s reserved and more cautious demeanor often tempered Dr. Long’s more aggressive personality,” said Hillsman.  “In many ways their professional lives served to compliment each other.”

Denison and Long’s fellow faculty member agree with Hillsman.

“Dr. Denison and Dr. Long have a mutual respect for each other that has made them great friends and colleagues,” said Carol Franks, coordinator and assistant professor at the School of Music .  “They both admire the contributions each other has made to the School of Music .”

Though different in many ways, the men found a common thread on which to build.

“We hope that the school gets better and better each year,” said Long.  “This has always been the case in years past and thanks to Dr. Denison’s standards, I know that it will continue to grow.”

Those expectations have driven the School of Music faculty members to perform in concert.

 “He never lets us slip into mediocrity because he has set such high standards for us to meet,” said Franks. “He’s so supportive and encouraging.

His students have also felt his encouragement, and have often looked to him as an example of how teachers and students should interact. Hillsman said that because of Denison ’s influence on his life and career, he has become a better teacher himself.

“Because of the patience that I have observed in Dr. Denison, and tried to incorporate in my teaching philosophy, I have been fortunate in my career to see many students mature into fine young ladies and gentlemen and musicians that I might have otherwise left by the wayside.”

Being able to daily impact students the way that he has Hillsman is something that Denison will miss in his retirement, but at the same time there are many things he is looking forward to.

“My wife and I plan to travel to our get-away house in Florida more often now,” said Denison .

“We’ll let him go away,” Long said.  “Just not too far and not for too long!”