Conservatory professor Dr. David Gordon not returning from leave of absence

On Nov. 6, Wheaton College announced via an email conservatory students that Dr. David Gordon, formerly an associate professor of music in the conservatory, will not be returning from his leave of absence and is no longer an employee of Wheaton College.

Gordon’s leave began in April 2018 and was reported as an “indefinite leave of absence.” Due to the “confidential nature of personnel matters,” details concerning the reason for Gordon’s leave and ultimate departure from the school cannot be disclosed, according to the Dean of the Conservatory of Music and Arts and Communication Division, Dr. Michael Wilder.

Gordon began teaching at Wheaton as a guest lecturer in 2002. He was hired full time in 2010 and primarily taught courses in music theory, aural skills and composition, along with some special courses.

Gordon was granted tenure in 2017. Besides teaching, Gordon is a composer who has written over 30 pieces, nearly 20 of which he composed at Wheaton.

“He was a real encourager to students who major in composition,” Wilder said. Conservatory students responded to the announcement with memories and reflections.

“He really cared about his students and went out of his way to help us understand the concepts he was teaching,” said sophomore vocal performance major Emma Cerovich.

Junior Joshua DeMoss studied under Gordon in his aural skills and composition classes.

“I thought he was a very well learned professor who cared a lot about his students. He even went out of his way to hold a contemporary music workshop every Thursday,” he said. DeMoss, like many other conservatory students, was “surprised” at the announcement.

According to Dean Wilder, once the Provost’s Office grants permission in the next few weeks, a search for a new candidate to take Gordon’s place will be launched.