From a March 25, 2005, Chronicle of Higher Education profile of James G. Van Hook, Dean of the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business and his dual role as interim chairman and chief executive of Word Entertainment: With the university’s blessing, Mr. Van Hook signed a multiyear contract with the company. Mr. Van Hook says he is committed to both jobs. And he has ambitious plans for the college and the company. His goal as dean of Belmont’s music-business college, he says, “is to build this into the premier program in America.” At Word Entertainment, he is supervising a restructuring designed to nurse the company back to health. Then he plans to return to the university full time. His work at the music company complements what he does at Belmont, says Mr. Van Hook, because he brings firsthand business knowledge and high-level industry contacts to the campus. –
