KU News Release

May 29, 2008
Contact: Charla Jenkins, University Theatre, (785) 864-2684.

KU honors outstanding theatre and film students

LAWRENCE — Outstanding students in Department of Theatre and Film at the University of Kansas were honored earlier this month. The traditional Theatre Stage Supper was May 9 at the Crafton-Preyer Theatre, and the 2007-08 Film Awards Spectacular, featuring the announcement of the Tensie Awards, was May 16 at Liberty Hall.

More than $107,000 in scholarships and awards were presented to 72 students, said John Staniunas, associate professor and chair of the Department of Theatre and Film.

During the Stage Supper, theatre design alumnus and former faculty member Gregory Hill was announced as the recipient of the Alumni Honor Citation for his work as a designer, art director and graphic designer, most recently on the Academy Award-winning film “No Country for Old Men.”

David and Mary Kate Ambler received the Department of Theatre and Film’s Award of Merit for their loyalty to the University Theatre and for establishing the Student Ticket Endowment Fund, which was recently named for Jack B. Wright, longtime KU professor of theatre and film.

Brady Blevins, a graduating senior from Hutchinson, was named recipient of the Kilty Kane, the highest honor bestowed by the University Theatre. The annual award recognizes the student leaving the program who has done the most for the University Theatre.

The Kuhlke Humanitarian Award was given to Adam R. Burnett, a graduating senior from Topeka.

The scholarship funds are managed by KU Endowment, the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment is the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.

KU students who received awards are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names (when available) and award or scholarship.

ALLEN COUNTY
From Iola 66749
Allison A. Chase, junior theatre and film major, daughter of Robert and Jacki Chase; Brian Ten Eyck Davis Award.

BARTON COUNTY
From Hoisington 67544
Jacquelyn R. Koester, sophomore theatre and film major, daughter of Richard and Pamela Koester; Adah Clarke Hagan Scholarship for Film and Theatre Students.

CHEROKEE COUNTY
From Columbus 66725
Jacquelyn O. Bowin, senior majoring in history and theatre and film, daughter of Mavis L. Bowin; Charles “Buddy” Rogers Scholarship.

COWLEY COUNTY
From Cambridge 67023
Bobby J. Amey, senior film studies major, son of Virgil and Judy Amey; Berg Family Film Studies Award.

CRAWFORD COUNTY
From Pittsburg 66762
Rochelle Herman, sophomore theatre and film major, daughter of Michael and Linda Herman; Loren Kennedy Traineeship.

DICKINSON COUNTY
From Solomon 67480
Meghan L. Misenhelter, senior theatre and film major, daughter of Kim Misenhelter; Peter and Ann Thompson Undergraduate Film Scholarship, Harley S. Nelson Family Scholarship and Tensie Award for Best Animation for “Heart of Gold.”

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66044
Muriel M. Green, senior theatre and film major, Mallory Yund Undergraduate Film Scholarship for Women and Tensie Awards for Best Cinematography for “I’m So Sorry Heart Galactus” and Most Disturbing Content for “You Name It.”

From Lawrence 66046
Tammy L. Keiser, master’s degree student in scenography; Mark Amin Scholarship and Sally Six Hersh Memorial Scholarship.

From Lawrence 66047
Matthew Hrovat, senior film major; Bob Findlay Award.

From Lawrence 66049
Robert J. Figueira, senior theatre design major; Clarence Seaver Technical Theatre Scholarship and David E. Blackwell Scholarship.

Boone J. Hopkins, doctoral student in theatre studies; Ethel Hinds Burch Outstanding New Graduate Teaching Assistant in Theatre Award.

Chandra O. Hopkins, doctoral student in theatre studies; Ethel Hinds Burch Outstanding New Graduate Teaching Assistant in Theatre Award.

Madison Spencer, master’s degree student in scenography; Ethel Hinds Burch Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant in Theatre Award.

Nathan Towns, sophomore majoring in film and music composition; Tensie Award for Best Experimental Project for “Scherzando.”

FINNEY COUNTY
From Holcomb 67851
Logan R. Walker, senior theatre major, son of Lynn and Cindy Walker; Claire Reinhold Scholarship.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood 66224
Oluwatosin B. Morohunfola, junior theatre major, son of Kenny and Ajoke Morohunfola; Claire Reinhold Scholarship.

From Lenexa 66219
Grant A. Babbitt, junior theatre and film major, son of Gary and Linda Babbitt; Sean Ryan Memorial Award.

From Olathe 66062
Mackenzie L. Wiglesworth, senior theatre and film major, daughter of Russ and Carol Wiglesworth; Harley S. Nelson Family Scholarship, Andrew and Lilly Tsubaki Award and Loren Kennedy Traineeship.

From Overland Park 66207
Taylor Sloan, senior film major; Patrick Rea Award for Best Horror Film for “Darkness.”

From Overland Park 66212
Kayla N. Higginbotham, sophomore theatre and film major, daughter of Mark and Teri Higginbotham; Donald and Betty Dixon Scholarship.

From Overland Park 66213
Jeffrey D. Sears, junior theatre voice major, son of Andy and Betsy Sears; Dorothy and Benjamin Glick Theatre Scholarship.

From Overland Park 66215
Brian P. Ervin, senior theatre and film major, son of Dan and Debbie Ervin; John David Lentz Memorial Scholarship.

Bret Copeland, senior film major; Tensie Award as first runner-up for Most Disturbing Content for “Loss And Lugubriosity.”

Derek Sellens, junior film major; “Michael Bay Jr.” Award for “It Lives” and for Best Body of Work.

From Overland Park 66223
Jeremy H. Ims, incoming freshman planning to major in theatre and astronomy, son of Terri Hopper and John Ims; Creative and Performing Arts Scholarship.

Christopher G. McGillivray, junior theatre and film major, son of Paul and Denise McGillivray; New Theatre Guild Don Knotts Scholarship and Loren Kennedy Traineeship.

From Prairie Village 66207
Louis Anajjar, senior film major, Tensie Award for Best Music Video for “Evolution” and Best Editing for “Bows.”

Franco Leng, senior film major, Tensie Award for Best Comedy for “Rising Action.”

Ann E. Sitzman, senior theatre design major, daughter of Everette Sitzman; David E. Blackwell Scholarship and Glenn Bickle Award.

From Shawnee 66216
Jennifer M. Grimm, sophomore film major, daughter of Mary K. Grimm Dyche; Claire Reinhold Scholarship.

From Stilwell 66085
Matthew P. Crooks, senior majoring in English and theatre and film, son of Nancy Wunderlich and Mike Crooks; Richard Kelton Memorial Scholarship.

Michael L. Simpson, sophomore film major, son of Peter and Lori Simpson; Sean Ryan Memorial Award.

KEARNY COUNTY
From Lakin 67860
Chelsie S. Shipley, senior theatre and film major, daughter of Price and Sue Shipley; Patricia Joyce Ellis Scholarship.

KINGMAN COUNTY
From Murdock 67111
Nicholas G. Kostner, master’s degree student in scenography, son of Tom and Sharon Kostner; Ambrose Saricks Family Scholarship.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
From Leavenworth 66048
Jonathan Foster Matteson, senior theatre major, son of Christine McNiell-Matteson and Wallace Matteson; Shirley and Tom P. Rea Memorial Award.

MIAMI COUNTY
From Louisburg 66053
Brittany C. Barney, sophomore majoring in theatre and preparing to study education, daughter of Andrew and Christie Barney; Kari Wahlgren Theatre Scholarship.

From Osawatomie 66064
Joseph T. Nagle, sophomore theatre major, son of Bill and Donna Nagle; Donald and Betty Dixon Scholarship.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY
From Independence 67301
Thorsten Fraley, senior film major; Tensie Award for Best Of Show for “A Simple Suggestion.”

MORRIS COUNTY
From Council Grove 66846
Jacob L. Smith, sophomore theatre and film major, son of Marc and Molly Smith; Donald and Betty Dixon Scholarship.

RENO COUNTY
From Hutchinson 67502
Brady Blevins, graduating senior in theatre and film, son of Curt and Cindy Blevins, Kilty Kane.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67212
Madison C. Shriner, incoming freshman preparing to major in film; Patricia Joyce Ellis Scholarship.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66604
Megan Bahm, senior film major, Tensie Award for Best Animation for “(BB+OF) MDB=.”

Adam R. Burnett, graduating senior in theatre, son of Vicki Fulmer and Russell Burnett, Gerhard Zuther Memorial Award for Dramatic Scriptwriting and Kuhlke Humanitarian Award.

Spencer H. Holdren, senior theatre major, son of James and Teresa Turnbull; Alexis and Craig Stevens Performing Arts Scholarship and Loren Kennedy Traineeship.

Richard Mulryan, senior film major; Tensie Award for Best Documentary for “Nicodemus.”

Jon Tenholder, junior film major; Tensie Award for Best Self-Portrait for “Mudded Memories.”

SUMNER COUNTY
From Mulvane 67110
Chance Ethan Carmichael, incoming freshman planning to major in theatre and film, son of Daniel and Melinda Carmichael; Creative and Performing Arts Scholarship.

WASHINGTON COUNTY
From Greenleaf 66943
Tristan Noelle, senior film major; Tensie Award for Best Videography for “Monsters of Grace.”

ARKANSAS
From Rogers 72758
Staci Ashcraft, incoming freshman planning to major in film; Patricia Joyce Ellis Scholarship.

FLORIDA
From Palm Harbor 34685
Michael A. Graves, doctoral student in film, son of Elizabeth Graves; Donald and Betty Dixon Scholarship.

GEORGIA
From Lenox 31637
Katrina L. Darden Bondari, doctoral student in theatre studies, daughter of Laddie and Martha Darden; Joseph R. Roach Dissertation Research Award.

IOWA
From Huxley 50124
Elizabeth Grim, master’s degree student in scenography; Adah Clarke Hagan Scholarship for Film and Theatre Students and Clarence Seaver Technical Theatre Scholarship.

LOUISIANA
From Baton Rouge 70819
Mary E. Woodson, doctoral student in film, daughter of Ray and Jeri Woodson; Berg Family Film Studies Award and Herk Harvey Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant in Film Award.

MASSACHUSETTS
From Cambridge 02138
Kai Winikka, senior film major; Tensie Award for Best Body of Work.

MINNESOTA
From Rochester 55906
Spencer S. Lott, junior theatre and film major, son of Hunter and Nancy Lott; Allen Crafton Memorial Scholarship.

From St. Louis Park 55246
Megan E. Krogh, senior theatre design major, daughter of Jim and Mary Anne Krogh; Stephanie Ann Smith Memorial Scholarship.

MISSOURI
From Chesterfield 63005
Ryan Klamen, senior theatre major, son of Kelly and Suzy Klamen; Friends of the Theatre Scholarship in Memory of Reese Saricks and Loren Kennedy Traineeship.

From Kansas City 64116
Emily N. Herold, junior theatre and film major, daughter of Brett and Connie Herold; Charles “Buddy” Rogers Scholarship.

From Sheldon 64784
Samuel Jason Cole, doctoral student in film, son of Charles and Judy Cole; Claire Reinhold Scholarship and Loren Dolezal Community Service Award.

From St. Joseph 64503
Thad Nurski, senior film major, son of Frank and Vickie Nurski; Tensie Award for Best Drama for “Always Alone” and Best Director for “Monsters of Grace.”

NORTH CAROLINA
From Boone 28607
M. Brian Faucette, doctoral student in film; Mike Gunter Distinguished Service Award in Film.

NORTH DAKOTA
From Fargo 58102
Amy Virginia Buchanan, senior theatre and film major, daughter of David and Cindy Buchanan; Friends of the Theatre Scholarship in Memory of Reese Saricks and Loren Kennedy Traineeship.

OHIO
From Hillsboro 45133
Rich M. Housh, senior film major, son of Richard and Jennifer Housh; Charles “Buddy” Rogers Scholarship.

SOUTH CAROLINA
From Sumter 29150
Jocelyn L. Buckner, doctoral student in theatre studies, daughter of Carolyn F. Buckner; Ethel Hinds Burch Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant in Theatre Award and Charles “Buddy” Rogers Scholarship.

SOUTH DAKOTA
From Sioux Falls 57105
Adam L. Hurly, senior majoring in film and journalism, son of Joe and Lori Hurly; Alexis and Craig Stevens Performing Arts Scholarship.

Jeff T. Van Bockern, senior theatre and film major, son of Tom and Suzanne Van Bockern; Adah Clarke Hagan Scholarship for Film and Theatre Students.

TEXAS
From Kingwood 77345
Elizabeth Elliott, junior theatre major; Loren Kennedy Traineeship.

From Richardson 75081
Elizabeth A. Banks, master’s degree student in scenography, daughter of Dawn McRae; New Theatre Guild Dodie Myers Brown Scholarship.

From Valley Mills 76689
Caleb Stroman, master’s degree student in scenography; Alexis and Craig Stevens Performing Arts Scholarship.

SOUTH KOREA
From Kyunggi-do
Rona E. Sohn, doctoral student in film, daughter of Sei Kwan Sohn; Adah Clarke Hagan Scholarship for Film and Theatre Students.

From Seoul
Sohyun Lee, doctoral student in film studies, daughter of Chung-Kyun and Kyong-Ok Lee; Patricia Joyce Ellis Scholarship.

MACEDONIA
From Skopje
Sandra Ristovska, junior film major, daughter of Snezana Ristovska; Mark Amin Scholarship and Alexis and Craig Stevens Performing Arts Scholarship.

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