Approximately over 40 years ago, a doctoral program in the Fine Arts established an intellectual environment that enhanced the connections inherent to the disciplines of Art, Music, and Theatre. This program capitalized upon the interdisciplinary roots of study in the arts, embracing core study in all three disciplines, coupled with focused study in one particular specialization. On a small scale, the doctoral program provided a structure that functioned in lieu of a college-level structure and provided the impetus behind the creation of a new J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual and Performing Arts at Texas Tech University.