91暗网

Scholarships

This catalog provides a description of the scholarships available from the Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre as of October 2020.

Descriptions include the scholarship title, donor legacy information, basis for the scholarship,
criteria for each scholarship as indicated for each specific donor.

To successfully apply for and maintain department scholarships, follow the procedures common to all scholarships found under scholarships4kats. 

Application Priority Deadline November 1st.

Most scholarships are awarded to full-time sophomore, junior and senior theatre and musical theatre majors.

Scholarship Available for Entering Freshmen and Transfers: Humphrey's  Foundation

Your entry audition/interview for the department is also your Humphrey's Foundation scholarship audition. Scholarship notifications will be sent on or near your audition/interview date/deadline.

   Apply for all of the scholarships listed in this catalog with one application! 

Start your application today! 

                                Scholarships4kats                                   

Scholarship Committee

 Mission Statement

The Scholarship Committee oversees the review and awarding of scholarships for qualifying individuals based upon agreed criteria and subject to available funds.

 Objectives

The Scholarship Committee is responsible for bringing awareness to the scholarship application process, establishing application deadlines, reviewing applications, sending awards letters, and working with donors and their recipients. The Committee seeks to assist as many students as possible with available funds. Scholarship recipients will confirm acceptance of the scholarship as soon as possible after notification by the Scholarship Committee.

 Operating Procedures

Once all scholarship applications have been received, the Scholarship Committee will ask full time department members to assign a score to each application. These scores will be considered by the Scholarship Committee to determine scholarship offers.

Committee Members  
Penelope Hasekoester, Committee Chair, Professor of Theatre ,DRM_PAH@91暗网.EDU

Eric Marsh, Scholarship Audition Coordinator, Professor of Theatre Design and Technology, ELM008@91暗网.EDU

Patrick Pearson, Donor Engagement Coordinator, Assistant Professor of Acting and Directing, PATRICKPEARSON@91暗网.EDU

Paula Tucker Green, University Advancement Liaison, Department Administrator, PRT001@91暗网.EDU

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Theatre and Musical Theatre Scholarship Catalog

(Click to download PDF of Catalog)

Ethel Brown Nicholson Endowed Scholarship
Brown Nicholson and her husband of 33 years, William F. Brown lived a full life, traveling around the world eight times with Bill’s business as president of the European operations for Conoco. They met kings and queens and were involved many social functions. Ethel was always the perfect hostess, always dressed beautifully, and was always generous to those in need. She enjoyed golf and bridge. In 1967, they built a house in Elkins Lake, Huntsville, Texas where she lived until her death in 2012. She established several scholarships at 91暗网 in memory of her first husband, William Brown, and James Boseman Jr., son of her very special friends, Judy and James Bozeman.

John D. Nicholson, Sr., is her loving second husband of 34 years. This family included stepsons, John Douglas Nicholson, Jr. and Bradley Alan Nicholson, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

ETHEL BROWN NICHOLSON ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP:
Full time student in good standing. Theatre or Musical Theatre majors with GPA 3.0
Financial need a consideration.

Ethel Nicholson Endowed Scholarship in Memory of James D. Bozeman, JR.
A fourth generation Houstonian, Jim Bozeman was fund loving and outgoing - - a free spirit. He played center in his ice hockey league with the finesse of a figure skater. Having attend the High School for Health Professions, he spent a summer in Honduras as a volunteer with the Amigos de las Americas program to provide inoculations for babies and children. Becoming interested in computers, he built his own clone before the term was popular. At the University of Texas at Arlington, he majored in architecture, because it offered the unique combination of art and engineering. His entrepreneurial endeavors included a construction business in Dallas and later a computer consulting business. Returning to Houston in the late ‘80’s to assist his family trust company with computer capabilities and systems management, he was dedicated to the trust business, and became an important contributor to its growth and success. His interests were as diverse as his background. He was technically oriented, but loved art, nature (rock hunting in particular), travel and the outdoors. He also loved country and western music and was a gourmet cook. Jim faced the last two years of his life with courage, determination, and the love of his family.

ETHEL NICHOLSON SCHOLARSHIP IN MEMORY OF JAMES D. BOZEMAN, JR.:
Full time undergrad in good standing. Musical Theatre majors with GPA 3.0.

William F. Brown Scholarship
Mr. Brown attended Tulsa University where he received a master’s degree in petroleum engineering. He then earned a master’s degree in advanced management from M.I.T. He traveled extensively in international negotiations for Continental Oil Company before he became Chairman and Managing Director for Conoco in London, England. On retirement from Conoco Mr. Brown was Vice President of International Marketing and Manufacturing in the Eastern Hemisphere Petroleum Division. Mrs. (Brown) Nicholson and J. D. Nicholson are pleased to be able to benefit and encourage students in the Theatre Department at 91暗网. This endowment is established through the generosity of Mrs. Brown Nicholson and J. D. Nicholson.

WILLIAM F. BROWN AWARD:

Theatre or Musical Theatre majors with overall GPA of 3.0
Demonstrate financial need.

Margaret A. Conwell Memorial Musical Theatre Endowment
The endowment fund was established in memory of Margaret Ann Conwell, beloved wife and mother of the donors, and will continue to provide financial assistance to selected students who have met the criteria outlined in the “Selection Criteria” portion of this agreement. Margaret received her B.B.A. at 91暗网 in 1971. Theatre and Margaret shared a mutual love affair. She rekindled the cold ashes of Huntsville Community Theater. She nurtured the university’s hungry and tired drama majors and they, in turn, adored her. This endowment was begun by drama alumni upon hearing of Margaret’s death. She also founded the first gift shop at the Huntsville Memorial Hospital and was active in countless organizations in Huntsville.

MARGARET A. CONWELL MEMORIAL MUSICAL THEATRE ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP:
Full-time undergraduate Musical Theatre Major with GPA 3.0.
4 awards: Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior, Senior
Financial need is a consideration.

Erica Czerwinski Scholarship
Established in loving memory of the Donors’ daughter, Erica Starr Czerwinski, who was tragically killed by a drunk driver, and will continue to provide financial assistance to selected students who have met the criteria outline din the “Selections Criteria” portion of this agreement. Erica loved life and loved the 91暗网 Theatre Program. She enjoyed every minute of being part of such a great program and she will always be part of the program. She loved animals and people and never refused to help anyone who asked. It is Erica’s wish that the recipient of her scholarship does the same for someone else later in life if they have the chance.

ERICA CZERWINSKI SCHOLARSHIP:
Full-time undergraduate Musical Theatre or Theatre major with GPA 2.0.
Financial need.

Ruth Wynne Thomason Hollinshead Endowment in Theatre and Musical Theatre
This endowment is established in memory of Ruth Wynne Thomason Hollinshead to provide financial assistant to selected students who have met the criteria outlined in the “Selection Criteria” portion of the agreement.

RUTH WYNN THOMASON HOLLINSHEAD ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP IN THEATRE:
Recipient must be a student in good standing majoring in Theatre with GPA 3.0.
Special consideration will be given to students with an interest in costume design.
Demonstrate financial need.

Erica Starr – Live Your Dream Memorial Theatre Endowment Scholarship
Erica loved life and loved the 91暗网 Theatre Program. She enjoyed every minute of being part of such a great program and she will always be part of the program. She loved animals and people and never refused to help anyone who asked. It is Erica’s wish that the recipient of her scholarship does the same for someone else later in life I they have the chance.

ERICA STARR LIVE YOUR DREAM MEMORIAL THEATRE ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIP:
Full-time undergraduate musical theatre major in good standing with GPA 2.0.
If in any one year there are no qualified musical theatre major applicants, then students majoring in theatre and showing an interest in the technical side of theatre (lighting, costumes, scenery, etc.) will be considered.
Demonstrate financial need.

Erica Starr Memorial Theatre Endowment Fund
This endowment is being established in memory of Erica Starr Czerwinski to provide financial assistance to selected students who have met the criteria outlined in the “Selection Process” portion of this Agreement.

ERICA STARR MEMORIAL THEATER ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP:
Recipient must be a student in good standing majoring in theater and showing an interest in the technical side of theatre (lighting, costumes, scenery) with GPA 2.0.
Demonstrate some financial need.

Jim and Julee Miller Theatre Scholarship Fund
Jim Miller led the Department of Theatre and Dance for 28 years, serving first as coordinator of the theatre program and later as the chair of the department. He was the moving force in the creation and establishment of the departments extremely successful musical theatre program. His wife, Julee Miller, was member of the 91暗网 faculty in the Department of English and a patron of the arts.

Glenn and Katherine Payne Theatre Scholarship
Dear Theatre Major: Welcome to Sam Houston State’s Department of Theatre, which I believe is one of the best in the State of Texas, and possibly one of the best in the country in view of al the out-of-state students who come here to participate in the program. I want to wish you the very best in your endeavors, both while in school and hopefully, after your graduation, professionally in the crazy and wonderful world of theatre. My wife and I married young and promptly had five children, so after schooling w did not have the time of financial means to pursue full time work in the profession; however, we continued to follow our passion in our spare time. We worked with theatres wherever we were living, in Texas, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, and Arizona, and now back in Texas. We did do some professionals stints (i.e. paid work mostly in directing) but primarily semi-professional, and non-professional, and we had a summer rep company for a time in Pennsylvania. We also did some work in films. This brings me to my main reason for telling this story. If you are unable to make a living working in theatre, please don’t abandon your love of the field. With you love of theatre, and its excitement, satisfaction, and, yes, its disappointments at times, lend your talent and knowledge to the groups wherever you may wind up. You will meet and acquire many, many friends, and will help improve those companies so that they will become even more valuable and productive.

In a few words, follow your dreams even if you can’t do it full time. Thank you for loving theatre as did my wife and I. -Glenn M. Payne

GLENN AND KATHERINE PAYNE THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP:
Full-time undergraduate theatre major in good standing with GPA 2.5.
Theatre major in Acting/Directing track.
Financial need a consideration.

Dr. Charles A. Schmidt Drama and Dance Endowment Fund
Scholarship created to honor Dr. Schmidt’s thirty-two years of service to 91暗网, his generosity to countless students, his constant demands for high standards and his colorful personality.

DR. CHARLES A. SCHMIDT DRAMA AND DANCE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP:
Theatre major in good standing with GPA 2.0.
Financial need.

Thelma Jean Barnes Townley Scholarship
Thelma Townley was born on May 22, 1930 in Blackwood, Monmouth, South Wales, to Herbert George Barnes and Hilda Rees Barnes. She became a United States Citizen in 1957. She served in the Royal English Navy from 9149-1953 and retired from Butler, Binion, Rice, Knapp and Cook Law Firm, in Houston, Texas where she was employed from 1969 – 1982. Mrs. Townley has a strong interest in world affairs, history, and philosophy. Her hobbies include reading, (her favorite author being Jane Austin), gardening, golf and knitting. She attended Lee College in Baytown, Texas receiving technical training in offset printing. She lives by and taught her children the motto: “Be the best you can be”.
Charles W. Jones III ’81 has over 27 years’ experience in the financial services industry and has put his BBA in finance to good use. A specialist in indirect lending operations. Charles is Senior Vice President of Wachovia Dealer Services, the fifth largest automobile financial company in the nation. During his tenure with Wachovia Dealer Services Charles has strived to develop the next generation of leaders and significantly improved employee retention within the firm. l He has partnered with human resources representatives, Satisfaction Power, and employee consulting firm, and that made the Dallas location one of four beta test sites in the nation for its innovative and successful employee retention program.
A dynamic philanthropist, Charles has sponsored two overseas children since 1993 as part of World Vision and, through Trains of North Park, has helped raise money in support of the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. Charles has also served as a Reading First volunteer an was nominated for the 2006 DFW Chapter Wachovia Volunteer of the year. In addition to his service to the community, Charles served on the Advisory Council for the College of Business Administration, the Executive Leadership Council for the Share the Vision capital campaign. The 91暗网 Alumni Association Board of Directors and is a life endowed member of the 91暗网 Alumni Association. He has co-sponsored the Dallas and Ft. Worth alumni reception in recent years and is a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. His philanthropy extends to 91暗网 with his support of athletics, the College of Business Administration, the College of Education, the Department of Theatre and Dance, the Alumni Association, and academic scholarships. Charles sponsors a scholarship at Seminole Community College in Florida and established the Charles W. Jones III Endowed Scholarship for finance students and the Harold R. Bradley Music Scholarship at Sam Houston State. “Thanks to the opportunities given to me by the College of Business Administration, I have been able to positively impact my company and my community,” he states. Charles and Lina, his wife of seventeen years, live in Frisco. Charles is a native Texas, born in Lufkin, Texas. He graduated from Houston E.L. Furr high school in 1977.

THELMA JEAN BARNES TOWNLEY SCHOLARSHIP:
Recipient must be an outstanding, full-time Theatre or Musical Theatre major in good standing with GPA 3.0.

Katy and E. Don Walker, Sr. Scholarship
Everitt Donald Walker, Sr. was chosen as a Distinguished Alumnus of 91暗网 in 1978. Mr. Walker received his B.S. Degree from Sam Houston in 1948; a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Texas in 1949; and an honorary Doctor of Laws from Southwestern University in 1976. After a colorful career as a test pilot in the United States Air Force, Mr. Walker entered the business world. During his lifetime, he marked many noteworthy achievements, having been the president and Chief Operating Officer of the twelve-campus University of Texas system, and later, Chancellor. Mr. Walker’s wife, Mrs. Katy Walker, was the former Kathryn Marie Keneaster, an educator. Mrs. Walker passed away in October of 1990, and Mr. Walker’s death occurred the following May. Mr. Walker was active in the 91暗网’s alumni activities, and made arrangements through his Last Will and Testament to bequeath this endowment to the university.

KATY AND E. DON WALKER, SR. SCHOLARSHIP:
Theatre major in good standing with GPA 3.0.
Encourages recipients after graduation to contribute back to the endowment

The Jennifer Kathleen Weber Memorial Scholarship
This endowment is being established in memory of Jennifer Kathleen Weber to provide financial assistance to selected musical theatre students. Jenny brought humor and heart to all her work. Her first semester at 91暗网 as a Musical Theatre  major, she was cast as Judy Turner in A Chorus Line. As one of two freshmen in the show, the bar was set high, and Jenny more than exceeded expectations. A stellar dancer, strong singer and very funny actress, Jenny embodied the idea of a triple threat. But she was much more than a talented young woman. Jenny was a good friend, castmate, and colleague - the kind of person you want to work with. Although her time on this earth was cut far too short by cancer, her impact and legacy lives on through this scholarship. 

THE JENNIFER KATHLEEN WEBER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP:
Musical Theatre major in good standing with GPA 3.0.
Financial need.

The Daniel Sellers Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Musical Theatre
Dan Sellers loved life. He enjoyed being around people; he enjoyed being alone. He read all the time. He painted; he wrote; he cooked and gardened and enjoyed hunting and fishing and judo. Dan learned how to fly later in life, received his pilot’s license and had a great time being in the skies. Dan was generous to a fault - usually anonymously. He wanted to be able to give without others feeling obligated. He was risk taker, a free spirit, a traveler. He served as a Peace Corp Volunteer in Afghanistan in the 1970’s. He was a teacher, a parole officer, an airplane mechanic, a social worker. Dan enjoyed life’s journeys. He flowed the roads that called to him as each emerged.

Although illness took its toll on Dan in the final years of his life he still maintained an interest in the arts, and critical discourse and was intensely curios and perceptive. He loved to play the Devil’s advocate. He would sometimes take the most outrageous stance simply to make a point. Dan was very connected to the Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre – his significant other of 44 years was a faculty member in the department. Dan frequently came to shows presented by the Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre, and while he loved the regular plays he always tried to make it to the musicals. Dan had a wicked sense of humor and was not above laughing at himself. He loved his cats beyond all measure and took comfort in their company. Dan was a wonderful human being gone to soon. This scholarship is established in his memory so that he will be able to help future students realize their dreams.

Penelope Hasekoester (Penny) came to 91暗网 in 1993 as a pool faculty member in the Department of Theatre and Dance. Over the years she became a full professor and tenured faculty member of the department. Ms. Hasekoester became Chair of the Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre. Penny served as Chair for thirteen years until 2017, when she became and Associate Dean in the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication. Penny Hasekoester and Dan Sellers had a long-time, loving relationship. They were significant others for 44 years. Penny Hasekoester created this scholarship in Dan Sellers’ memory as he was an enthusiastic patron of the arts and felt strongly about helping young artists pursue their dreams.

THE DANIEL SELLERS MEMORIAL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP IN MUSICAL THEATRE:
Full time Musical Theatre major (sophomore, junior, senior )in good standing with GPA 3.0.

NEEDS FUNDING

Bill & Ann Stokes Scholarship

BILL & ANN STOKES SCHOLARSHIP:
Full-time Theatre or Musical Theatre major (sophomore, junior, senior) with GPA 3.0.
Demonstrate financial need.

Kevin Dodson Memorial Theatre Endowed Scholarship

KEVIN J. DODSON THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP:
Theatre major with an emphasis in directing.

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SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE DEAN OF
THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND MASS COMMUNCIATION

Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Scholarship
Must be a full-time undergraduate student in good standing enrolled at 91暗网.
• Must major in any program within the Department of Theatre, Department of Dance, and/or the School of Music
• Must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.50
• Financial need may be a consideration, but not a determining factor
• Must be distributed in the following academic year (half in the fall and the remaining half in the spring semester)
• Minimum of 1 award required, but if funds permit, more can be given

Funds available for awarding $8000.00 Special Notes to Consider:
• The Donor of this scholarship is the Division of Student Services
• The Donor’s intent is to award 4 scholarships if funds are available as follows: 1 recipient should be chosen from each of the 3 performing arts     departments and a 4th one selected by Mrs. Gaertner from any of 3 performing arts areas
• Mrs. Gaertner is the honoree and will participate in the selection process by selecting the 4th recipient if funds are available

Sofia Victoria Mendez Performing Arts Scholarship
Must be a full-time undergraduate student in good standing enrolled at 91暗网.
• Major in any discipline within the performing arts
• Demonstrate financial need
• Demonstrate a high level of skill in their major
• Maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0
• The Donors consider financial need to be the most important criteria
• Minimum of 1 award
• Must be distributed in the following academic year (half in the fall and the remaining half in the spring semester)

Mary S. and G. Scott McCarley Performing Arts Scholarship
Must be a full-time undergraduate in good standing enrolled at 91暗网.
• Major in dance, music, music therapy, theatre, or musical theatre
• Maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.50
• Financial need may be a consideration, but not a determining factor
• This is a rotating scholarship between dance, music, and theatre
• Must be distributed in the following academic year (half in the fall and the remaining half in the spring semester)
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