ULM mourns loss of long-time faculty member, Dr. Derle Long

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - The University of Louisiana Monroe announced in an email that the director of their School of Visual and Performing Arts, Dr. Derle Long, passed away on Oct. 9, 2022.

Dr. Long spent 22 years working at ULM and was one of the university’s first ‘road warriors’ who traveled throughout Louisiana looking for future Warhawks.

Long graduated from Louisiana State University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Music Education. From there, he pursued a Master of Music Education at LSU and completed his academic career in 2008 with a Doctor of Philosophy in music education from the University of Southern Mississippi.

In addition to being ULM’s band program director, Long served as principal conductor of the ULM Wind Ensemble. He also taught courses in conducting, band literature, and band administration and supervision.

Long was a member of the National Band Association, Louisiana Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference and the College Band Directors National Association.

Ronald Berry, ULM’s president, said Long’s presence will be dearly missed.

“We will miss his calm demeanor, his professionalism, and devotion to improving lives through music and the performing arts,” Berry said. “As a friend, colleague, and great human being, he will be dearly missed.”