Distinguished Alumni: Phyllis Haskell Tims

Modern Dance

Professor Haskell’s professional dance experience, choreography, and teaching career has taken her to such diverse locations as Europe, Africa, Canada, Mexico, and Asia as well as all 50 states. Formerly, she was director of dance at the University of Hawaii, on the faculties of Arizona State University and the Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts, and chair of the Modern Dance Department at the University of Utah. Professor Haskell retained her appointment in the Department of Modern Dance while she served as the University of Utah’s Associate Vice President for the Arts, and Dean of the College of Fine Arts.

Phyllis Haskell retired from the university in June, 2005. Phyllis has been our leader, our colleague, our advocate, and our friend for many years. She single-handedly established our largest endowed scholarship fund. She taught skillfully and eloquently for years. Phyllis has advocated not only for dance but for all of the arts in the most effective way ever known in the College of Fine Arts. She is well known internationally for her effective and inspirational work in arts administration and in the dance world, she is a diva. Phyllis has recently received prestigious awards from the Council of Dance Administrators and the College of Fine Arts. In October 2004, she was awarded the Alma Hawkins Dance Administration Award and in April 2005, Phyllis received the CFA Distinguished Alumnus Award.