George French, director of music and theater at the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC), was promoted to associate professor at the University. The University of Minnesota Board of Regents passed the promotion at their May meeting.

George French joined the UMC faculty in 1980. He was promoted to the rank of assistant professor and granted tenure in 1986. French holds a master of music degree in organ performance from the University of North Dakota and a master of music degree in piano performance from Mankato State University. His bachelor of science in music education degree is from Augsburg College.

Over the past years French has taken the UMC choir on tour to such places as New York City and Europe. The UMC Theater productions he directed this year include: "Little Shop of Horrors," Miracle on 34^th Street," and "The Witness."

His teaching responsibilities this year were Introduction to Music, Music of the 20^th Century, Music Theory, Choir, Band, Class Piano, and private instruction. He is also chair of the All-University Social Concerns Committee.

Along with his teaching responsibilities, French is the organist at Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston. He has been active in writing various grants which support community theater and civic music league projects in Crookston. During the past few years he has performed numerous piano and organ recitals in area towns, including Duluth MN, Crookston, Moorhead, Fosston and Grand Forks ND. He is a member of the Red River Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and was on the committee to organize a new chapter in Grand Forks ND.