WCU Theatre Presents Award
Hattiesburg, MS, June 16, 2014 - Fifteen William Carey University students were honored at the 2014 Theatre Awards Dinner held on May 3 in the Joe and Virginia Tatum Theatre. This annual event recognizes the contributions and talents of theatre majors and students of other majors who participate in theatre throughout the academic year. May 3
Billy Burkes of Meridian was named Most Valuable Player. This is the theatre's most prestigious award and is voted on by the students. He also received the R. E. Cromis I Memorial Scholarship, awarded to a theatre major in memory of the husband of Mrs. Wilda Cromis of Pontiac, Mich.; and the Patricia Caro Smith Shakespeare Award for his performance in "Hamlet."
Acting Achievement Awards were presented to Katie Hardeman of Southaven; Kevar Maffitt of Olive Branch; Jason Piglia of Picayune; Ben Salters of Ocean Springs; and Ashlyn Watts of Picayune. Acting Awards are voted on by a secret panel of persons outside the theatre who have attended every major production by WCU Theatre throughout the year. Watts also received the O. L. Quave Theatre Scholarship. This award is funded by John Clearman, a WCU alumnus, in honor of Mr. Quave. Salters was awarded the Bob Crumpton Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was established by Allison Chestnut in memory of a civic and denominational leader of Pensacola, Fla., and is given to a theatre major. He also received an acting achievement award.
Technical Achievement Awards were presented to Jana Barkley of Picayune and Chris Permenter of Oak Grove. Technical Awards are voted on by theatre faculty based on achievement in the design and technical aspects of theatre. Barkley also received the Doris Schneider Scholarship. Begun by Shannon T. Robert, the Doris Schneider Scholarship is awarded to theatre majors who show promise in technical theatre arts. Schneider, WCU theatre alumna, is retired from North Carolina Central University. Permenter also received the Shannon T. Robert Theatre Scholarship. This scholarship was established in 2007 by WCU alumnus John Clearman in honor of Robert's exemplary service to WCU and its students as a member of the theatre department faculty.
Justin Taylor Abbott of Picayune and Nicoli Hutchison of Carriere both received the Joyce Quave Roberts Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship honors the memory of the sister of professor emeritus Obra L. Quave who served as chair of the theatre and communication department for more than 40 years.
Johonna Bush of Foxworth received the Norma W. Sullivan Memorial Scholarship, named in honor of the 1921 Mississippi Women's College graduate and faithful patron of Carey music and theatre.
Amanda Campbell of Nicholsen received the Ryan Gill Scholarship, established by WCU theatre and communication chair Tim Matheny and funded by friends in honor of the 1994 theatre graduate.
Warren, PA native Haley Genberg received the Obra Quave Legacy of Learning Scholarship. This scholarship honors faculty of Carey for their years of service with a Learning Legacy Dinner. Proceeds from the dinner fund the scholarship.
Miranda Rester of Oak Grove received the Mark Wilkinson Scholarship. Friends of the late Mark Wilkinson, a theatre graduate of WCU, established this annual scholarship for a theatre major.
Joey Roderick of Blue Ridge, GA, was awarded the Obra L. Quave Scholarship. This fund was established in 2001 on the occasion of "Echoes for Excellence," a tribute to Quave and his years of service to WCU.