(ABILENE, Texas – Oct. 5, 2022) – Former McMurry theatre professor Charlie Hukill was awarded the Founders Award, the most prestigious award from the Texas Educational Theatre Association, Inc. (TxETA). Hukill’s career accomplishments includes directing more than 70 plays, set designs for over 130 plays, and light designs for more than 100 play. TxETA Founders Award is given to an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to educational theatre in Texas and to TxETA. Hukill was presented with the award at TheatreFest convention in Galveston, Texas. This annual conference for current theatre practitioners, as well as future educators.
“McMurry was graced for almost 35 years, by the talent, intelligence, and good wit of my friend and colleague, Charlie Hukill,” University President Dr. Sandra S. Harper said. “Any prestigious award he receives will not be comparable to the love he has shown our students or to the talent he’s given to McMurry University and educational Theater in Texas.”
Hukill’s impact continues at McMurry even years after his retirement from the university in 2019.
“Charlie is so very deserving of his award,” McMurry assistant professor and theatre department chair Neena McLain said. “His positive impact on the students at McMurry and in the state of Texas is profound. A talented and generous artist, Charlie is a playwright, actor, director, visual artist, designer, and educator. McMurry Theatre and the campus at large are enormously fortunate that he dedicated most of his career to our students.”
McMurry University’s board of trustees conferred upon Hukill an honorary doctorate of the arts in 2021, along with his wife Betty Hukill.
“That degree was the culmination of a lifetime of creativity and constant learning,” Harper added.
His other awards include Volunteer of the Year, KACU-FM; Educator of the Year, College/University, TxETA; and Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year, McMurry.
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