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Nine Students Receive Grants for Arts Presentation

Posted on Thursday, December 20, 2007

The Westminster College Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning has awarded grants to nine students to perform in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition.

The competition is part of the 2008 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival to be held Jan. 2-6 in Pittsburgh.

"Enhancing opportunities for creative activity and undergraduate research is an important component of the work of the Drinko Center in enriching undergraduate education," said Dr. Virginia Tomlinson, Westminster College associate professor of sociology and director of the Drinko Center. "The Undergraduate Research Initiative provides funding for students in the visual and performing arts to perform off-campus in regional and national settings. So far this year 34 students have been awarded grants to conduct research or to present their research."

The latest students to receive awards are:

Danielle Adams, a senior broadcast communications major, is a daughter of Daniel and Susan Adams of Marblehead, Ohio, and a graduate of Danbury Local High School. She will perform a scene from "All My Sons." Her adviser is Dr. Scott Mackenzie, Westminster assistant professor of theatre.

Joshua Anderson, a senior broadcast communications major, is a son of Richard Anderson of Akron, Ohio, and a graduate of Green High School. His adviser is Eileen Hendrickson, Westminster visiting instructor of theatre.

Leah Hesch, a senior English major, is a daughter of Thomas and Joanne Hesch of Erie and a graduate of Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy. Hendrickson is her adviser.

Marisa Monahan, a sophomore theatre major, is a daughter of Mark and Sharon Monahan of Pittsburgh and a graduate of Brentwood Middle-High School. She will perform a scene from "All My Sons." Her adviser is Mackenzie.

Joel Montgomery, a senior English major, is a son of Jay and Sue Montgomery of Knox and a graduate of Keystone High School. He will perform a scene from "A Midsummer Night's Dream." His adviser is Mackenzie.

Lauren Ritter, a freshman elementary education major, is a daughter of Joseph and Lorraine Ritter of Monroeville and a graduate of Gateway High School. She will perform a scene from "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Mackenzie is her adviser.

Amber Scalfari, a senior theatre and fine art major, is a daughter of Larry and Desiree Scalfari of Littleton, Colo., and a graduate of New Castle High School. She will perform a scene from "Love among the Russians." Hendrickson is her adviser.

Ian Turner, a junior music education major, is a son of C. David Turner and Sharon Turner, both of Grove City, and a graduate of Grove City High School. He will perform a scene from "Love among the Russians." His adviser is Hendrickson.

Barry Unis, a senior psychology major, is a son of Ron and Maria Unis of Aliquippa and a graduate of Hopewell High School. He will perform a scene from "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Mackenzie is his adviser.

All grant recipients are invited to participate in the Undergraduate Research Symposium held on campus in the spring.

Contact Tomlinson at (724) 946-6033 or e-mail tomlinvm@westminster.edu or visit www.westminster.edu/drinko for additional information.