Dean of the Faculty of Music resigns for no official reason
According to his linkedin at the time of writing, Michael Kim is dean and professor of the Don Wright Faculty of Music at “The Western University and College of London, Ontario”. Further, the faculty’s publication this past February has Michael Kim pictured as the current dean, with the 30th of June stated as the date of his departure.
The rumour circulating within the AMO is that a student found a deficit of roughly $200,000 CAD, and that this was linked to a purchase of a grand piano and marimba constructed of endangered rosewood. When this connection was brought to light, it sounds as if Michael Kim resigned on the spot. If this unusual sequence of events actually transpired, we believe these instruments are currently in Michael Kim’s house. This is based also on the coincidence that these instruments were not found in Talbot College or the Music Building, and that Michael Kim is a pianist and his son is a percussionist.
But that is just one story. Rumours are only rumours, and The University has given themselves ample time to pick their words carefully. When they publish their official explanation for the dean’s departure, we will be reading it carefully too. It will be interesting to see if The University frames this as the terrible abuse of funds that we currently understand it to be, or if it will be made to seem like a generous opportunity for the successor of Michael Kim. Until then, the truth is still being uncovered.
To further complicate matters, “The Western University and College of London, Ontario” is a legal entity that can be understood as a university (proper) and a college. The college is the part responsible for furthering the arts and sciences, and it has a vice president named Florentine Strzelczyk. She has made a statement which forshadows Sophie Roland’s appointment as the dean of the Don Wright Faculty of Music, which should start on the 1st of July. I did not encounter Sophie Roland during my time as an undergraduate student, but the appointment notice makes her seem like she’s always been a very integral part of the Don Wright Faculty of Music. The vice president also expresses her gratitude to Michael Kim for his work at The University, highlighting his leadership in financial investment as a valuable part of said work. His work to develop partnerships with recital societies, operahouses, and symphonia fellowships as well———but considering how she also boasts the increased number of undergraduate students (many of whom are majoring in Popular Music Studies), I remain unconvinced that his work was truly benefitial to the faculty at large.
So many conflicting statements! All we can say for certain is this:
This time, “The University and College of London, Ontario” has not worked quickly and honestly enough to maintain control over the narrative. June drops this upcoming Monday so stay tuned!!!
Written by E-AWRF
changeover announcement: https://music.uwo.ca/alumni/greetings.html appointment notice: https://music.uwo.ca/news/2025/roland-acting-dean-appointment.html