Florida Southern College in Lakeland has named Martha Placeres as the Wilhelmina MacDonald Endowed Faculty Chair in Music.
Placeres joined Florida Southern’s faculty in 2019 and currently serves as chair of the music department and director of orchestra and string studies, Florida Southern said in a news release. She has performed and taught with orchestras across the world.
The endowment reflects a gift from the Estate of Wilhelmina MacDonald, who bequeathed substantial funding to the music department at Florida Southern in her will, the release said. The Massachusetts resident was a winter visitor to the Lakeland region and held a deep appreciation for music.
“This recognition means so much to me, as it reflects not only the college’s support for the Department of Music but also the encouragement I have felt since the moment I arrived at Florida Southern,” Placeres said in the release. “I am deeply grateful to my colleagues and the college for creating an environment where I have been able to grow as an educator, musician and researcher. I feel both humbled and overjoyed by this honor.”
Placeres holds a bachelor’s degree in violin performance from the Puebla State Conservatory of Music, a master’s degree in music education from the University of Texas at Brownsville and a doctorate in orchestral conducting from Texas Tech University. Before joining Florida Southern, she served as director of orchestra and string studies at both the University of Texas at Brownsville and Washburn University.
In 2025, Placeres performed alongside world-renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli in two concerts held at the Amphitheatre of Pompeii in Italy. She was also invited to guest conduct the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka in a collaborative concert presented in partnership with the Italian Embassy.
“Dr. Placeres exemplifies the excellence, dedication, and leadership we value at Florida Southern College.” Tracey Tedder, provost and vice president of academic affairs, said in the release. “Her appointment as an endowed chair recognizes her outstanding contributions to her field, and to our students, as well as her continued commitment to advancing the mission of the College. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor.”
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Florida Southern in Lakeland names Martha Placeres to endowed position in music department
Reporting by Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
