TOP BILLING FOR KELLERHOUSE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Senior Caroline Curtis has been able to experience all aspects of theatre—onstage and behind the scenes—at the College at Oneonta Foundation.

Caroline Curtis came to the College at Oneonta Foundation looking for a stage. With her talent, determination, and the help of the Muriel and Kenneth Kellerhouse '57, '60G Scholarship, she wound up with a whole lot more.

Before getting to campus, Caroline knew she wanted to be involved in theatre. But at the time, theatre to her strictly meant onstage performance. After taking every theatre class the College offers, Caroline now understands what it takes to put on a successful show.

"Yes, I was on stage right away, but I also got to experience real-world theatre," Caroline says. "Costuming, stage design, lighting, producing, advertising—we do it all. A lot of other theatre programs don't let their students do anything other than sit in a classroom until they're a junior."

With the help of the Muriel and Kenneth Kellerhouse '57, '60G Scholarship, Caroline has been able to afford her education and become a campus leader within the theatre program and beyond. Professor Ken Kellerhouse established this scholarship for theatre majors to honor his late wife Muriel and to give back to the College that had given them both so much. Ken has also included the College at Oneonta Foundation in his estate plan.

"I am happy that students are receiving these scholarships and that they reach out to thank me," Ken says. "As a donor, it makes you feel good that students really appreciate the help that scholarships give them. They see it as an incentive to work hard and do well. They feel they owe it to the donors."

Now in her senior year, Caroline was the stage manager for the College's production of "The Misanthrope." This past summer she decided to stay on campus to give back to the next generation of Oneonta students. "I decided to be an orientation leader to welcome incoming freshman and get them excited about coming to the College at Oneonta Foundation. When I was in their shoes, my tour guide was amazing and led me toward theatre arts. I want new students to have the same experience I did."

Scholarships like Ken's may be established with gifts during a donor's lifetime as well as through estate planning. SUNY Oneonta’s priority is to maintain the College’s high-value education by establishing more scholarships to help our students afford a college education and reduce their debt upon graduation.