Research Week: 2024 Keynote Speaker

Photo of front of library

Scott HayesDr. Scott Hayes

Dean, School of Communication & the Arts

The Jerry Falwell Library is pleased to announce that Dr. Scott Hayes, Dean of the School of Communication & the Arts (SCA) and Professor of Theatre Arts at Liberty University, will be the Research Week 2024 keynote speaker.

Dr. Hayes holds a BFA from the University of California at Santa Barbara, an MFA from Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory, and a Ph.D. from Regent University. Dr. Hayes has been richly blessed as the founding dean of SCA. He spearheaded the development and approval of Liberty’s first BFA and MFA programs. He served as the primary supervisor for the renovation and relocation of the School of Communication & the Arts facilities, including new digital audio and video studios; art classrooms, studios, and galleries; a black box theater; rehearsal and dance studios; and computer labs for graphic design, video, and audio editing.

Beyond his work as the executive producer of all cinema, digital media, and live theatre productions at Liberty University, Dr. Hayes served on the advisory board for the Center for Research and Scholarship and loves the opportunity to champion student creative and traditional research. He maintains his outside professional work as a director, actor, and playwright. He is the editor of books, chapters, and articles on the personal life and career of Sir Arthur Sullivan, of Gilbert and Sullivan fame. He is a member of the Screen Actors Guild/American Federation of Television and Radio Arts and Actors Equity Association, the screen and theatre unions for professional actors, respectively. His short play “Without Excuse” is published by Christianity and Theatre, and his production of “As You Like It” was profiled in Southern Theatre. He directed “Bloodroot,” a play written and performed by a 20-member all-female company, which was nationally recognized by the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival.

Dr. Hayes represents the Southeastern Theatre Conference as the chair of the Faith and Theatre committee and is also a member of the editorial board for Southern Theatre magazine. He and his wife Sarah have three daughters, the oldest two of whom have graduated from Liberty University.