A man who spent years behind the curtain will provide many opportunities for students both on the stage and off. Recently J. William Schmitz made a $100,000 gift to the Wynett Barnett scholarship through an estate gift that will provide support for Theatre/Dance students showing outstanding ability in performance, technical ability, costuming and dance.

Born and raised in Milwaukee WI, Schmitz graduated from the University of Whitewater - Wisconsin in 1963 with a bachelor's degree in speech. During his college career he developed a love of theatre and soon became involved with productions on campus. He preferred working behind the scenes but was cast in the production of the Diary of Anne Frank.

Schmitz had a lifelong love of education and after graduation he worked as a librarian in the Lake Geneva school system. Later he went on to earn a Master's degree from the University of Oregon. After graduation Schmitz worked for the Tacoma WA schools as a librarian until he retired in 2002 to Green Valley, Arizona.

J. William Schmitz's gift will benefit Theatre/Dance students and assist UW-Whitewater's College of Arts and Communication in attracting talented students to its award winning theatre and dance programs. Clearly, Mr. Schmitz's experience as an undergraduate student at UW-Whitewater had a profound effect on his life and we are grateful that he decided to share his good fortune with current and future students.