'Charlie Hill Day' honors alumnus and former faculty member

Five generations of the Hill family were on hand to celebrate "Charlie Hill Day" with members of the Emporia State University theatre department on April 29.

Several members of the Theatre Guild, as well as former students, colleagues and friends, took part in a day the culminated in the presentation of the first-ever Charlie R. Hill Theatre Scholarship.

Charlie Hill himself presented the scholarship to Michael Wilke, a theatre major from Atchison , Kan. Wilke graduated from Horton High School and transferred to ESU from Butler County Community College , where he studied under Bob Peterson, a former student of Hill.

Several participants in the day's festivities took the opportunity to express their admiration and appreciation for Hill's contributions to ESU.

"Not often does a son get to express the pride he has in his father," said Hill's son Carl Hill, Topeka , Kan. "Today, I saw him in action again, talking to students in classes. That's the dad I know. That's the dad I love."

The scholarship was funded by many of Hill's former students, colleagues, and community members who wanted to pay homage to Hill's 35-year career at ESU. Hill earned his bachelor's degree from ESU in 1950, and his master's degree in 1956. He helped launch of ESU's first Summer Theatre season in 1955. Hill remained on the faculty until 1980, when he moved to Austin, Texas.

"Hill could always find a way to get people involved in theatre and make money for the program," said Polly Sue Wade, a Theatre Guild member from Emporia . "Our community has thrived on theatre thanks to Charlie Hill, John Lehman and Doc [Karl C. Bruder]."

Last Updated July 2, 2007>