University News

Patrick Retirement Reception is April 25

April 17, 2014

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MACOMB, IL – A retirement reception for WIU Department of Theatre and Dance Chair David Patrick will be held from 4-7 p.m. Friday, April 25, in the Hainline Theatre lobby.

Patrick, who is also a theatre professor and the head of scenic design, will retire May 31 after 39 years of service to Western. He came to WIU after receiving his bachelor's and master's degrees in theatre and theatre scene design from The Ohio State University in 1972 and 1974.

One of Patrick's proudest WIU moments was bringing Cathy Rigby to WIU for a Summer Music Theatre production of "Peter Pan" in 1987.

Patrick was appointed chair of the WIU Department of Theatre and Dance in 2008, but he also served as department chair four previous occasions: 1986-1987, 1990, 2003-2004 and 2006. As the head of scenic design, he designed hundreds of WIU shows, including scenery, lighting and costume design for University Theatre, Summer Music Theatre and the Regional Touring Theatre Company.

Several of Patrick's shows have been presented at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) regional festival, with two winning design awards.

In the mid-1980s, Patrick wrote a ticket-selling program for University's first computer ticketing system. He also helped with moving University-wide ticket sales to the Hainline Theatre Box Office.

During his time at Western, Patrick received the Bureau of Cultural Affairs Distinguished Service Award and was given the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Outstanding Teacher Award, a Professional Achievement Award, a Faculty Excellence Award, and he was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.




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