Giving Thanks: Scholarship Helps Theatre Major Reach Toward Dream of Being a Union Actor and Educator
This December, members of our Fulbright College Family are sharing expressions of gratitude, letters of thanks and their appreciation for those who have helped make their educational journey possible.
Meet Joshua Harpell, who thanks to the Mellinger and Mabrey Endowed Theatre Award, is one step closer to his dream of being a union actor and theatre educator, and maybe even a politician one day.
Mellinger and Mabrey Endowed Theatre Award Recipient Joshua Harpell
Name: Joshua Harpell
Hometown: Fayetteville, Arkansas
Graduation: 2022
Major(s)/Minor(s): Theatre
Activities/Interests: Hiking, exploring Northwest Arkansas and other areas, politics, and an unhealthy amount of theatre.
Career Aspirations: To be a union actor and theatre educator, and maybe even a politician one day.
In his own words:
First and foremost I would like to thank you for your generous scholarship contribution and for helping me continue schooling.
I live and breathe theatre into my very existence and I would be very much lost without it. It has been my goal since first arriving at the University of Arkansas to excel in theatre in any way possible.
I am now In my third year and excel is what I have done.
I work at TheatreSqaured, The Walton Arts Center, and The Momentary as a stage hand, technician or whatever else they need. This semester I’ll be also be stage managing the university’s first online production of The Laramie Project.
I have also acted in many productions here at the university. I keep around a 3.5+ GPA and very much enjoy hiking and taking in all Northwest Arkansas has to offer.
This scholarship will pay for about 25% of my schooling this academic year, which is a big deal. It is enough to push me over the edge to not have to take out any more loans for the remainder of my time at the university – lifting off of me one of the greatest problems facing students right now.
I would like to thank you again from the bottom of my heart for this amazing and truly life-changing gift.
In this world ever so plagued with darkness and inaction, your gift shows light in humanity.
Sincerely,
Joshua Harpell
For more information about the Mellinger and Mabrey Endowed Theatre Award or to make a year-end gift to support the college’s students, faculty, or staff, please contact Fulbright College’s Office of Development and External Relations at 479-575-3712 or fulbright@uark.edu.