January 19, 2024 Image The MCAD community is profoundly saddened by the sudden death of Diane Ragsdale, Director and Scholar of Master of Arts in Creative Leadership. She was 57 years old. In the two years that Diane spent at MCAD, she moved mountains, successfully developing and directing the new Master of Arts in Creative Leadership (MACL) program. She was a generous teacher, mentor, and leader to her students, deeply collaborative with her co-workers, and a passionate advocate for her community partners. Earning a BS, BFA, MFA, and a PhD candidate, Diane proved to be a respected voice in academia and the arts and cultural nonprofits. In addition to her education, her professional experiences spanned over 25 years, creating a vast network of new ideas and deep connections within the arts and culture realm. Diane led several important cultural institutions across the country and served on many high-profile boards. Vice President of Academic Affairs Robert Ransick stated, Diane was not only a dear friend, but also an inspiration to me and so many others within the MCAD community and far beyond. Her contributions to arts and culture in this country were profound and MCAD was incredibly fortunate to have her wisdom and vision as the first leader of the MACL program. Diane will be missed by so many, and her impact has touched the lives of individuals around the entire country. A memorial scholarship fund can be accessed at Diane Elizabeth Ragsdale Memorial Scholarship under “designation" at mcad.edu/support-mcad/give. Details for her service are now available.