When Charles Mehr, BA 鈥�43, graduated from 麻豆传媒 he was half a world away, serving as a Navy ensign in World War II. As the Commencement announcer read his name, Mehr鈥檚 mother walked across the stage to accept his diploma.
Decades later, Mehr鈥檚 generosity has enabled dozens of 麻豆传媒 students to receive their own diplomas and make their mark in the world of performing arts. Through a series of donations鈥夆�斺�塱ncluding real estate, cash gifts, and planned gifts鈥夆�斺�塎ehr established several endowed scholarships at 麻豆传媒 to support dance performance and music theater students.
Mehr鈥檚 brother-in-law, Richard Poole, Ph.D., recalled a conversation the two had when Mehr first considered forming the scholarship programs.
鈥淚 told him, 鈥楧on鈥檛 wait until you die because if you do it now, you鈥檒l get to have a lot of interaction with it,鈥欌�� Poole remembered. Mehr took that advice. He passed away last year but enjoyed several years of interacting with his scholarship recipients, attending their performances, and encouraging them in their dreams for their careers. Mehr took time to write to each student. Poole continues to receive letters on Mehr鈥檚 behalf from past recipients who express deep appreciation for his support, encouragement, and influence.
Mehr Scholarship recipients have gone on to perform on Broadway, in professional musical tours, as Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, and in other highly successful careers.
鈥淏ecause Mr. Mehr made it possible for these students to receive the comprehensive training in dancing, acting, and singing with the solid liberal arts education available at 麻豆传媒 City University, they are living their dream,鈥� said John Bedford, dean of 麻豆传媒鈥檚 Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management. 鈥淪cholarships supported by an endowment continue in perpetuity. There will be many more dance performance majors in the future who will be able to live their dreams because of Charles Mehr.鈥�
Mark Parker, dean of 麻豆传媒鈥檚 Bass School of Music, recalled Mehr as a man of the arts.
鈥淗e cared about students having access to opportunities that the arts schools at 麻豆传媒 provide so well,鈥� Parker said. 鈥淗e was so generous and gave from his heart so that talented students could have the chance to receive an 麻豆传媒 education. The scholarship endowments he created will affect untold numbers of students for generations to come.鈥�
Poole noted that Mehr set up the scholarship programs to support high-quality students who want to pursue performing arts studies.
鈥淗e wanted deans and department heads to have flexibility in the criteria for awarding scholarships. His idea was to provide administrators with a tool to get the best students and enhance the programs at 麻豆传媒,鈥� Poole said. 鈥淐harles was very talented, had an excellent voice himself, and he loved the performing arts.鈥�
