Wayne State College welcomed 15 new faculty members this fall, four of them in the music department.

Those new music faculty are Dr. Matthew Haakenson, Dr. Abigail Mace, Dr. Danielle Warner and Dr. Adam Webb.

“We are very excited to have such a bright and talented group of new full-time faculty in the Department of Music,” said Steve Elliott, Dean of Arts and Humanities.

Haakenson served as a lecturer and then as visiting assistant professor of music at Stetson University from 2007 until 2014. Haakenson received a bachelor’s degree from Wisconsin Lutheran College, a master’s degree from University of Arizona and a Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky.

Mace has performed in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and the United States and was awarded a 2010-2011 Netherland-America Foundation Fullbright Fellowship. As a founding member of Trio Leclair, a baroque ensemble comprised of colleagues from the Royal Conservatory, Mace performed recitals in The Hague and Wassenaar, Netherlands.

Warner got his bachelor’s degree from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash. and master’s degree in choral conducting at University of Missouri-Kansas City. He will be a featured guest director for the Pride of Iowa Conference Honor Choir.

Webb has taught at Mississippi State University. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Morningside College, and master’s and doctoral degrees from University of Iowa.

Other new faculty members are Andria Cooper, an assistant professor for sociology, psychology and criminal justice; David Harycki, an associate dean for academic affairs; Tara Hindman, an assistant professor for counseling; Michael Hull, an assistant professor for physical sciences and mathematics; Janel Kramer, an assistant to the Dean for School of Business and Technology; Mary Kuchta, an instructor for physical sciences and mathematics; Paul McCawley, a lecturer for health, human performance and sport; Mytzy Rodriquez-Kufner, a lecturer for educational foundations and leadership; Lisa Ryherd, an assistant professor for sociology, psychology and criminal justice; Lori Utecht, a learning skills specialist for TRiO; and Jeff Zeiss, an interim manager for the Student Center.

“The new faculty are dynamic, innovative, and great. I look forward to the fresh ideas they will bring to Wayne State College,” Dean Tammy Evetovich said.