2022 College Report

’ ’ - - 22 23 RETIRED Facul ty and Staf f LEANNE SMI TH | 39 YEARS LeAnne Smith is a professor of dance where she has been a faculty member since 1983. She previously directed the program for 13 years. She serves as the artistic director for Opening Door Dance Theatre, founded with Karen Earl and Sandy Rodriquez in 1984. A recipient of the Texas State Presidential Award for Scholarly/Creative Activities, LeAnne recently served on the Academic Course Guide Manual Committee for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. In collaboration with the Erick Hawkins Dance Foundation, LeAnne works to maintain Hawkins’ archives as a founding member of Hawkins West. ROGER COLOMB IK | 34 YEARS Roger Colombik is professor in the School of Art and Design who teaches sculpture. Roger s sculpture was featured in the 2016 West Texas Triangle , an exhibition series with concurrent solo exhibitions at five museums. His socially engaged-based projects are often undertaken in milieus where traditions and cultural heritage have collided head-on with westernization and government malfeasance. The projects utilize contemporary formats that include installation, large-scale photography, publications and intervention. Fulbright Scholar Program, CEC Artslink and the Texas State University Research Program have supported Roger s projects. B I LL PEELER | 33 YEARS Bill Peeler has enjoyed a 40-plus year career as a lighting designer for theatre, dance and opera with credits both national and international. He has worked with the Asolo Rep in Sarasota, Florida, the Amarillo Opera, San Antonio Opera, as well as in San Jose with the National Theatre Company of Costa Rica. A particular highlight was the seven-year association with a touring musical production of A Ride With Bob , featuring Grammy award winning Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel. In addition, he was the co founder/co director of the Institute for Digital Performing Arts which joined emerging technologies, students, engineers and artists together to create new works in the performing arts within the US and Latin America. BEVERLY PENN | 31 YEARS Beverly Penn is a professor in the School of Art & Design. Her cast bronze botanical sculpture confronts the underpinnings of climate injustice by creating enduring memorials of the ephemeral originals, embracing the solemnity of their current demise. She was recognized as the State of Texas 3D Visual Artist for 2017 by the Texas Commission on the Arts. Her work is included in the collections of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Yale University, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Cooper Hewitt Museum, Moody Foundation, and more. IN MEMORIAM CATHY SUPPLE | 1943 - 2022 In 1989, Cathy’s husband Jerry, Jerome H. Supple was named president at then Southwest Texas State University. Cathy served on the board at the Hays County Women’s Center and helped establish the San Marcos Education Foundation. As first lady of TXST, Cathy established the Supple Music Series bringing artists from around the country to perform in San Marcos. Following the death of her husband Jerry, Cathy created the Presidential Scholarship at Texas State. In recognition of the contributions Jerry and Cathy made to the university, Texas State named its science building the Catherine E. and Jerome H. Supple Science Building, or “Supple Science” as it’s known. She was a big supporter of the musical theatre program and endowed several scholarships in theatre. The university and especially the College of Fine Arts and Communication will miss this patron, friend, and passionate supporter of the Arts. SANDY RAO | 30 YEARS Dr. Sandhya Rao is a professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and honorary professor of International Studies. She has served as the graduate advisor for the Master’s in Mass Communication program, assistant dean of the Graduate College and faculty senator. A Fulbright Scholar, she taught for a semester at Manipal University in India. She earned her Ph.D. degree at Bowling Green State University, Ohio. Before coming to the United States, Dr. Rao worked as a journalist and public relations professional in India. Dr. Rao has received numerous awards and honors for research, teaching and service. Media MICHAEL COSTELLO | 21 YEARS Michael served as head of acting at Texas State from 2006-2014 after joining the faculty at Texas State University in 2001. Michael has acted in over 30 films and television shows. Most notably, Michael was a series regular on the NBC series seaQuest and seaQuest 2032 , playing Secretary General McGath for 2 seasons. On stage, Michael has had a distinguished career as an actor, performing in a variety of works from Shakespeare to Beckett, from Simon to Wilde in New York and regional theatres. Some roles include Lear in King Lear , Duke Senior and Duke Frederick in As You Like It , Leonato in Much Ado About Nothing and Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman . CHERYL PARRI SH | 18 YEARS Soprano, Cheryl Parrish , is best known for her sensitive and moving portrayals of Mozart and Strauss heroines. She has performed in major operatic, symphony and recital venues around the world. Her career began at the San Francisco Opera. Appearances include The Mostly Mozart Festival at Alice Tully Hall and Avery Fisher Hall, Cleveland Orchestra, Carnegie Hall, Houston Grand Opera, New York City Opera, San Francisco Opera, The Canadian Opera Company, Zurich Opera, Opera Köln, and Maggio Musicale in Florence, Italy, Santa Fe Opera, Vancouver and Calgary Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, and many more.