Newest Regents Professor Honored at Annual Convocation
East Texas A&M University Regents Professor of Music Dr. Brian Zator was officially recognized for his outstanding achievement at the annual Spring convocation in the university's Jack and Lou Finney Concert Hall on April 17, 2025.
Established in 1996, the Regents Professor Award is the highest honor bestowed on faculty in the Texas A&M University System. Zator became the 17th Regents Professor in the history of East Texas A&M in November 2024.
Zator has taught at East Texas A&M since arriving as the interim director of percussion in 2001. In his time at the School of Music, he has also served as interim head of what was then called the Department of Music from 2020-2021.
At the convocation, attended by a packed concert hall of faculty, staff and students, Zator eschewed a typical speech and paused his time at the podium to give the audience a musical performance. Zator performed “The Young Sprout,” originally composed for the koto–A traditional Japanese instrument–by Minoru Miki, but arranged for marimba by Zator.
During his speech, Zator spoke about the importance of developing as a leader. He credited author John C. Maxwell and his 2005 book “Developing the Leader Within You,” and Jon Gordon's “One Word Challenge” as helping him refine his philosophy of teaching and leadership.
“The goal is to choose one word that will define the year ahead, and my word for 2025 is ‘intentional,'” Zator said. “Be intentional in your quest to live, learn and lead.”
He also asked anyone in the audience who had ever been involved in a musical ensemble at some point in their lives, whether band, choir, orchestra or more, to raise their hand. Most attendees responded that they had, showing the profound impact that music education can have on people from multiple backgrounds and disciplines.
“Succeeding as an educator involves learning, developing and staying true to your principles,” Zator said. “I try to teach students not to be just great players, but great leaders also.”
To close the ceremony, Zator was joined by several East Texas A&M percussion students for a performance of “Berserker,” a 2020 piece composed by 2012 Lion graduate Caleb Pickering, which received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Zator also thanked his wife and children, parents and several former East Texas A&M music faculty, staff and alumni, such as Dr. Gene Lockhart, Nancy Melton and Bruce Richardson, for helping achieve his success.
Read more about Zator’s career in our feature story from 2024. See more photos from the event in our online gallery.
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