Fine Arts
Fine Arts Hall of Fame
The Southwestern Fine Arts Hall of Fame was established in 2009 to honor alumni who have excelled and obtained significant success in their chosen field of Fine Arts or Fine Arts Education, and former faculty who have made significant contributions to the Fine Arts at Southwestern College. Additionally, a service award was established to honor those who have made significant contributions to the Southwestern College Fine Arts.
This hall of fame has been underwritten by the Jenkins Endowment which was created and funded by Mr. Charles Kopke, SC class of 1944. The endowment is in honor of twenty years of fundraising service by Mr. Ronnie Jenkins, whose role included a special focus on the arts at Southwestern College. Mr. Jenkins retired in 2013 and a plaque for the Jenkins Endowment was added to the Fine Arts Hall of Fame in Darbeth Lobby to commemorate his role.
For more information on the fine arts at Southwestern College, please refer to the appropriate webpage: music or theatre arts.
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2025 Fine Arts Hall of Fame
Inductees
- Lori (Alexander) Borger `76
- Bill Borger `74
2025 Inductees
Lori (Alexander) Borger `76 graduated from Southwestern College in 1976 in Elementary Education and a minor in Creative Dramatics. She was in A Cappella Choir and Campus Players and a member of Horsefeathers and Applesauce Summer Dinner Theatre. In 1993, Lori was employed for 26 years in a career that engaged all three of her gifts and passions: children, music and theatre in St. Louis. Lori was the Director of Children’s Music Ministry with over 100 children, producing musicals annually that raised over $375,000 for various nonprofit organizations. A recognized leader in children’s music and drama ministry, Lori has written numerous articles for national Chorister publications and led a drama ministry workshop for the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music & Worship Arts. Lori credits her early experiences at Southwestern, and at Horsefeathers and Applesauce with shaping her future in fine arts, and providing lifelong friendships.
Bill Borger `74 graduated from Southwestern College in 1974 as Valedictorian and Scholar of the College with a B.A. in Performing Arts. Bill was a member of A Cappella Choir, Campus Players, the 1972 USO Tour of the Pacific Command Area, and Horsefeathers and Applesauce Summer Dinner Theatre. He received his M.A. in Speech/Theatre from Kansas State University in 1978.
The opportunities and experiences that Southwestern provided laid the groundwork for Bill’s life and career. Theatre equipped him with qualities that would serve him well: teamwork, creativity, persistence and collaboration with diverse groups of people.
After college, Bill performed at Six Flags Over Texas, became Show Productions Supervisor, and worked for Six Flags Corporate, where he oversaw the creation of the Six Flags School of Performing Arts, training young artists.
Continuing in the entertainment industry, Bill moved to San Diego in 1986 to work for SeaWorld and eventually became the Director of Corporate Partnerships for all 10 Busch Entertainment Theme Parks.
In 2002, Bill created Premiere Partnership Marketing, LLC, and in 2003 began work with the nonprofit Municipal Theatre Association of St. Louis, or “The Muny,” the country’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre venue, with 11,000 seats (1,500 of which are free) and seven summer musicals showcasing Broadway and regional talent. In his twenty seasons with The Muny, Bill left an indelible impression, creating marketing programs and partnerships that generated more than $750,000 annually – and was gifted a seat in the theatre bearing his name when he retired.
Bill continued to be actively involved in both music and theatre outside of work, supporting his children’s theatrical pursuits and assisting his wife, Lori with her career in Music and Drama Ministry, through directing, acting, set design/construction, and singing. Bill credits the fine arts with filling their lives with good people, great experiences, and wonderful careers.
Criteria
Candidates for induction into the Southwestern College Fine Arts Hall of Fame will be considered for induction based on their achievements, professionalism, and character. A significant achievement is one in which the exceptional skills and abilities of the candidate are exemplified. Candidates must be alumni of Southwestern College, former faculty or persons who have made significant contributions to Fine Arts at Southwestern College.
Nomination
Nominations will be received from alumni and friends of the college. In order for a nomination to be formally accepted, a completed nomination form must be submitted to the nominations committee along with two letters of recommendation (not from the nominator). Nominations will be sought via college publications, electronic means, and special communications. Once an individual is formally nominated, that name will remain eligible for selection for induction for 5 years. After that time has passed, the individual must be formally nominated again to be considered for selection. The nomination pool will be managed and maintained by the alumni department.
Fine Arts Hall of Fame Nomination Form
Selection
The selection of inductees will be made by the selection committee of the college. The Fine Arts Hall of Fame selection committee will consist of up to three faculty (current and/or emeritus) from the Division of Performing Arts, the Vice President of Institutional Advancement, the Director of Alumni Programs, and up to three alumni with Fine Arts degrees. The alumni will serve on the committee for a term of two years. All other members serve by position.
Number of Inductees
The number of inductees for the inaugural year will be a minimum of seven and a maximum of ten. The award may be given posthumously. After the inaugural year of the Southwestern College Fine Arts Hall of Fame, the maximum number of inductees per year will be three, one of which can be the service award. A maximum of one posthumous inductee is allowed per year.
Fine Arts Hall of Fame Members
2025 Inductees
Lori (Alexander) Borger `76
Bill Borger `74
2024 Inductees
Roberta (Gilger) Banks `72
Roxy (Clark) Callison `69/`91
2023 Inductees
William Christie ‘74
Roger ’70 & Allyson ’76 Moon
Tim Shook
2022 Inductees
Frieda Lindburg '70
Misty Maynard '75
Tom* '59 and Mari '60 (Waite) Wallrabenstein
2019 Inductees
Dr. James Leland
George Jason Johnston ’69
Virginia (Stubbs) Spray ’33
2018 Inductees
Dr. Stephen C. Anderson '67
Miss Grace Raymond 1897
2017 Inductees
Arthur Sinclair Covey 1899
Woodrow J. Hodges '65
Don Phillip Gibson '61
2016 Inductees
Scott I. Hartley '97
Timothy A. Myers '00
Brandon Q. Smith '98
2015 Inductees
Michael R. Brummett '79
Terry L. McGonigle '73
Madeline J. (Magnusson) Norland '83
2014 Inductees
George M. Cole '63
Loren B. Crawford '34
Ronald K. Curfman '64
2013 Inductees
Kenneth A. Forsyth '61
Leora K. (Martin) Kline '66
Lou (Edwards) Tharp
2012 Inductees
Orcenith S. Smith
James H. "Jim" Strand
Jerry D. Thomas '81
2011 Inductees
L. Dean Angeles '67
F. Joe Sims '51
Gordon E. Young '49
2010 Inductees
Dennis P. Akin (art professor at SC from 1958-1967)
Norman D. Callison '63
Gayle C. McMillen '71
2009 Inductees
E. Marie Burdette '29, '32
Earl W. Dungan '40
Mildred (Demaree) Erhart '41
Helen Graham '19
Lauren Kilmer
David C. McGuire '47
Grace Sellers '27
Ross O. Williams '35
Past Inductions
2024 Fine Arts Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
April 20, 2024
2022 Fine Arts Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
April 23, 2022
2019 Fine Arts Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
April 13, 2019
2018 Fine Arts Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
April 14, 2018
2017 Fine Arts Hall of Fame Induction Photos
2017 Fine Arts Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Video
2016 Fine Arts Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Video
2016 Fine Arts Hall of Fame Photos
