Toutant, who first joined CSUN's faculty as a music professor in 1975, has spent the last two years as the college's interim dean.

"Given his extensive experience on campus as a teacher and administrator, and his noteworthy credentials as a composer and a scholar, I am confident Dean Toutant will provide strong leadership and guidance for the college for many years," said CSUN President Jolene Koester.

Toutant, of Woodland Hills, said he was honored by his appointment, which came after an extensive, nationwide search.

"I am thrilled to received the permanent appointment," he said. "This is my 26th year at Cal State Northridge and I am still excited every day I come to work. With the reality of the new facilities and the prospect of what we can do in them, I am very excited about the future of the college."

Toutant's appointment coincides with the college's move into its new home, Manzanita Hall, which will house the departments of communication studies, journalism and radio-television-film.

During his tenure as interim dean, Toutant oversaw the completion of Manzanita Hall and the expansion of CSUN's Art and Design Center. He also played a key role in the establishment of the university's Center for Visual and Performing Arts and the Entertainment Industry Institute.

As an internationally recognized scholar and composer, Toutant has been invited to Italy, Mexico and Romania for performances of his compositions. He is also closely associated with the Romanian- American Music Days Festival in Constanta, Romania, where he served as the festival's executive director in 1997 and 1998.

This summer he will premiere his new composition, "Glossa," at the Festival Forfest in the Czech Republic. Four of his compositions are currently available on CD and he also produces and co-hosts "The KCSN Opera House," a weekly radio program on KCSN-FM (88.5), the campus radio station.

Toutant received his bachelor's degree in music history and literature and a master's degree in musicology from George Washington University, and a doctorate in music theory and composition from Michigan State University. He taught at Kalamazoo College before coming to Northridge in 1975. Prior serving as interim dean, Toutant spent 12 years as associate dean.

California State University, Northridge has more than 29,000 full- and part-time students and offers 58 bachelor's and 50 master's degrees. Founded in 1958, it is the only four-year university in the San Fernando Valley.