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Mary Elise Jones Receives Joe Chris and Donna N. Robertson Award
Mary Elise Jones of Clinton, SC, has been named the recipient of the Joe Chris and Donna N. Robertson Award at Mars Hill College. Jones (pictured here with Donna N. Robertson and theatre arts professor Neil St. Clair) graduated on May 12 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre Degree, summa cum laude. She has been very active in the Theatre Arts department and the campus life of Mars Hill College.
During her academic tenure, Jones has played numerous roles and leading roles. Some of her shows include Little Shop of Horrors, The Three Sisters, Two by Two, and Chicago. This year she was featured in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and gave a tour de force performance as Lizzie Curry in The Rainmaker. She has also performed for The Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre.
Jones has also excelled in academics and service to the college. She is a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society and a college marshal, and has served as president of Alpha Psi Omega theatre honor society. She has been a member of the Hill Raisers athletic spirit club, the college choir and the MHC SHOWSTOPPERS performance troupe. She has served as a math teaching assistant and tutor and has been a mentor to freshmen students as a Challenger.
Jones plans to pursue a career in professional theatre with a possible eye toward graduate school and teaching in the future. She has already landed the lead role in a new musical about the Amish titled The Confession for Blue Gate Musicals in Sugar Creek, Ohio.
The Joe Chris and Donna N. Robertson Award, a prestigious honor established in 2003, recognizes a graduating senior in the fine arts. It is given in memory of Joe Chris Robertson, former chairman of the Mars Hill College art department who taught at MHC for four decades (1951-1991), and in honor of Donna N. Robertson, the former college organist and retired Associate Professor of Music.
The award recognizes a student with a strong commitment to his or her chosen field, promise in the fine arts, and demonstrated service to the arts, Mars Hill College, and the community. A cash award is presented to the recipient for the purpose of enhancing his or her development in the arts. The award rotates within the fine arts division among the art, music, and theatre arts departments.