The Hastings College Department of Music and Theatre recently celebrated student excellence, artistry and service during its annual spring recognition ceremonies.
Music awards were announced at the Music Finale Extravaganza on May 3, while theatre honors were presented during the Beaux Arts Awards on April 29.
A highlight of the music program was the presentation of the inaugural Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Ambassador of Music Award to Dr. Robin Koozer, professor emeritus of music and former department chair. This award recognizes Sinfonia alumni, community members, faculty or students involved with Hastings College Music who exemplify leadership and innovation while outwardly advocating for the performing arts.
In honor of his decades of service, the award will be known as the Dr. Robin Koozer Ambassador of Music Award going forward.
Hastings College Music student awards recognize merit in musical achievement, scholarship, citizenship and service. This year’s honorees include:
- Angie Amaya of Hastings, Nebraska – Hastings College Outstanding Senior in Music, Millard Cates Choral Music Award, Sigma Alpha Iota Scholastic Award, Sigma Alpha Iota Collegiate Honor Award, Sigma Alpha Iota Sword of Honor Award
- Donovan Andrews of Chappell, Nebraska – Hastings College Outstanding Contributor in Music
- Clark Boettger of Grand Island, Nebraska – Gordon L. and Mary Ohlsson Music Award, Chorus of the Plains Scholarship
- Maggie deFreese of Holdrege, Nebraska – James King Outstanding Bandsman Award, Nebraska Intercollegiate Honor Band
- Drew Feeken of Saint Paul, Nebraska – Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Freshman Scholarship
- Krista Hatchell of Lincoln, Nebraska – Nebraska Intercollegiate Honor Band
- Jason Jones of Colorado Springs, Colorado – Chorus of the Plains Scholarship
- Mekenzie Miller of Kearney, Nebraska – Nebraska Intercollegiate Honor Band
- Elliot Maschka of Englewood, Colorado –Hastings Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition Winner, Elmer Christensen Keyboard Award and honorable mention at the Nebraska Music Teachers Association Collegiate Piano Performance Competition
- Austin McLeroy of Lewisville, Texas – Chorus of the Plains Scholarship
- Max Meyer of Gering, Nebraska – Chorus of the Plains Scholarship
- Summer Postlewait of Venango, Nebraska – NMEA/NAfME State Convention Collegiate Recital Participant
- Campbell Schukei of Hastings, Nebraska – Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia “Outstanding Sinfonian”
- Dylan Shaw of Colorado Springs, Colorado – Hastings College Outstanding Performer, James King Outstanding Bandsman Award, Nebraska Intercollegiate Honor Band
- David Udlock of Castle Rock, Colorado – Nebraska Intercollegiate Honor Band
At the Beaux Arts awards, Hastings College Theatre honored 10 students and inducted six new members into the Alpha Psi Omega (APO) theatre honorary.
As part of the event, colored masks recognizing different levels of contribution and achievement were awarded. The White Mask is given to one first-year theatre student who demonstrates a great level of artistic potential. The Scarlet Mask is for students with two or more seasons of participation with high levels of devotion and leadership. The Purple Mask is for students of junior or senior class standing with a minimum 3.6 GPA, high artistic achievement and meritorious service to the theatre.
The awardees for this year are:
- Morgan Ashcraft of Limon, Colorado – The Scarlet Mask
- Maxwell Blankenship of Queen Creek, Arizona – Player of the Year, Hal Shiffler APO Award and Outstanding Theatre Student
- Miah Fox of Paxton, Nebraska – Largest Growth
- Claire Jacobs of Norwood, Colorado – The Purple Mask
- Malinda Kamler of Shickley, Nebraska – Lloyd S. and Helen M. Jones Theatre Award
- Emma Mariel of Lexington, Nebraska – Largest Growth
- Vinnie Nunnenkamp of Hastings, Nebraska – The White Mask
- Saige Patocka of Brainard, Nebraska – Largest Growth
- David Udlock of Castle Rock, Colorado – The Scarlet Mask
- Peyton Wallace of Bennett, Colorado – Dr. Harold Shiffler Theatre Award and Bernard C. Tushaus Award
APO inductees included:
- Abby Hardesty of Lincoln, Nebraska
- Grace Hartman of Hastings, Nebraska
- Claire Jacobs of Norwood, Nebraska
- Jason Jones of Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Abbygayle Peeters of Limon, Colorado
- Kaley Waite of Hastings, Nebraska
Hastings College is a four-year residential college that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. Founded in 1882, the College is dedicated to student success and service to the community. Discover more at hastings.edu.