Wynett Barnett Scholarship Endowment for Theatre Students

Wynett Barnett
(1899-1971)

Wynett Barnett was the first woman on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater faculty to hold a doctoral degree, which she earned at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Dr. Barnett came to Whitewater in 1946, and during her 25-year career, she served as the campus’ first dean of women, first speech teacher and director of drama, and the Chair of the Speech Department.  When elected in 1962, she became the first female president in the 55-year history of the Association of Wisconsin State University Faculties. 

Dr. Barnett was devoted to speech and theater, and her involvement created majors in both theatre and speech correction.  Many programs were established under Dr. Barnett, including the summer tent theatre, the national debate tournament, and the campus radio station, WSUW.  Dr. Barnett also pursued the establishment of the College of the Arts, as well as construction of the building that houses the college.   

The Wynett Barnett Theatre Scholarship program was established in 1980 by Professor Emeritus Stephen Lewandowski, retired UW-Whitewater mathematics instructor and devoted follower of the arts.  The scholarship is awarded to juniors in the Theatre/Dance Department who have been active in the department’s programs.

J. William Schmitz
(1937-2007)

Graduating from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in speech, J. William Schmitz, a Milwaukee native, became active in theatre productions on the campus which led to an interest that continued throughout his life.

After graduation, Schmitz worked as a librarian in Lake Geneva until he went on to earn his master’s at the University of Oregon. He continued his work as a librarian for Tacoma, Washington schools until he retired in 2002 to Green Valley, Arizona. The estate gift of J. William Schmitz allows students both on and off the stage to pursue their education by increasing the Wynett Barnett Scholarship Endowment for Theatre Students significantly.

Established in 1980 by Professor Emeritus Stephen Lewandowski, the Wynett Barnett scholarship provides financial support to students in the Theatre/Dance Department who have been active in the department’s programs and demonstrate an outstanding ability in performance, technical ability, costuming or dance. This additional funding will provide scholarships to outstanding incoming freshmen who demonstrate excellence.