History of Friends
The Friends of Fine Arts and Communication group has grown and changed over the past 40 years. In 1979, then Dean of the School of Creative Arts, Dr. Ralph Harrel and San Marcos resident Maude Ogle worked together to establish a local group of fine arts patrons who were committed in supporting the university's performing arts programs. Dr. Harrel served as the Dean from 1971 – 1985 and was instrumental in pursuing the vision of the original idea. Maude and her husband Bob Ogle, a retired faculty member from the University of Chicago, had recently moved to San Marcos from the Chicago area where she worked as a piano teacher. Maude loved the arts and worked hand in hand with Dean Harrel in establishing the link with then SWT and local community. The original group was at first called the "Dean's List," they each agreed to pay a basic fee of $15.00 to go towards an endowment placed in the Dean's discretionary fund. This fund was to be used for scholarships within the School of Fine Arts, for the benefit of worthy students. In 1980 the group officially became known as the "Friends" organization. This charter included 102 founding members. Their goal was to promote the arts both locally and at the university, and to build an endowment fund for university students. In 1985, Dr. T. Richard Cheatham was appointed as the Dean of the School of Fine Arts & Communication. The group "Friends" again took a new name, becoming the "SWT Friends of Fine Arts" and by 1987 Dean Cheatham established the first board of directors and by-laws. In 1989, "Communication" was added to the Friends title. In 1993, Dean Cheatham and the Friends group organized elections establishing the first state of independently elected officers. Bob Sappington was elected the first president of the newly reconstituted Friends group. Since then, both Bob Sappington and Dr. Peter Coulson have each served two terms as president. When the university officially changed its name to Texas State University, the "Friends" group officially dropped SWT from its name and became known simply as the Friends of Fine Arts & Communication. Today the Friends group has grown to just over 200 members with an endowment valued at over $350,000 and continues to provide scholarships for our students and faculty within the College of Fine Arts & Communication.
Friends of Fine Arts and Communication wish to thank the following founders:
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Founding Friends
Balsora Anderson
Kay Banning
James & Hazel Barton
Dr. & Mrs. William Bechtol
J. Fredric Bell
James & Barbaranne Benjamin
Caroline Benjamine
Roger & Barbara Bennett
Ron & Alberta Birk
George & Shirley Boemerman
Alice M. Bourque
Chris Brasher
Jim & Gerry Braden
Lenore K. Brieger
Irma L. Bruce
Ada P. Burke
Yvonne Carroll
Mr. & Mrs. W. C. Carson
Dr. & Mrs. Richard Cheatham
Rex W. Cole
Frances & Edith Coleman
Mr. & Mrs. P. R. Connally
Katherine Costley
Dana Craft
Nancy O. Croft
Willis & Mary Cude
Mr. & Mrs. W. H. Daniels
Maurice J. Erickson
Sheila Fling
William L. Fly
Mrs. Elinor Claire Frank
Mr. & Mrs. John E. Garstka
George & Bobbie Gilbert
Diana Ginsburg
Bob & Ann Glaves
Dr. & Mrs. Joel Goldman
Dr. & Mrs. Robert Gratz
Nancy Grayson
Carole Greer
Susan R. Griffith
Dr. & Mrs. John Guemple
Virginia P. Hardin
Mrs. Sue W. Harmon
Ralph & Doris Harrel
Douglas & Henrietta Harris
Hays County Abstract Co. (Zeb H. Fitzgerald, President)
Dr. & Mrs. Arlis Hiebert
Ralph & Francys Houston
Lee Hudman
Dr. Charles Hundley
Mary G. Hunter
Herbert E. Johnson
Betty Kissler
Jean B. Laman
James & Tonda Langabeer
Paul A. Leche
Dr. & Mrs. Ken Long
Rebecca C. Lowman
Ruth Manske
Mrs. Edythe H. Margerison
Mrs. George N. Martindale
Don & Kathy Matlock
Dr. & Mrs. Michael H. McBride
Celia Morgan
James Bert Neely
Rollo & Sylvia Newsom
Dr. Erik Nielsen