Wednesday, April 28, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A·Page 5
Student wins scholarship for thespians
ay T.J. Johnson
fjohnson@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
Megan Dillingham, Overland Park graduate student, is still amazed at receiving a scholarship on the Kennedy Center stage in Washington, D.C.
Dillingham was one of 16 participants who qualified to compete for the Irene Ryan scholarship after placing first or second in one of eight regional competitions in January. Both a male and a female winner were announced for the $2,500 scholarship this weekend.
Dillingham won for her performance of a five-minute dialogue from Isreal Horovitz's "Primary English Class." She also was awarded the Classical Acting Award, which is given to a participant who shows excellence in classical acting for her performance from Shakespeare's "Henry V."
"It was amazing; my dad wouldn't put the trophy down," she said of the celebration after the award was presented.
Dillingham was assisted in her reading of "Henry V" by Alice Robison, Lawrence graduate student.
"I would give a big, enormous, huge, large thank you to Alice." Dillingham said.
She said that she had been nervous about performing at the Kennedy Center but that the experience had been wonderful.
"We were there all weekend, but we were in windowless rehearsal rooms or backstage," Dillingham said. "I thought the stage would be scary, but it wasn't. Even though it was a big house it wasn't nerve-wrecking."
She performed her monologue toward the beginning of the program and then waited with the rest of the contestants to hear the results of the competition.
"Everyone there was fantastic, and it could have been anyone, in my opinion," Dillingham said. "Everyone supported everyone else."
She was accompanied by a small contingent of supporters from her family and the University, including associate professor Paul Lim of the English Alternative Theater. Lim directed Dillingham in the play "Victim Art" last year. The role landed her a nomination to travel to the regional competition in January.
Lim said that he was very happy for Dillingham and that he thought she deserved the award.
"It was absolutely remarkable," he said. "Megan has such a wonderful persona that anyone who meets her falls in love with her. It was very clear that she was the unanimous choice of a lot of people."
That Dillingham won was even more amazing because she and her assistant, Robison, are not theater majors, unlike the overwhelming majority of the other contestants, Lim said.
He said that casting agents from television networks and other organizations attended the competitions and that the award could have implications for Dillingham's future.
"This particular award should open a lot of doors for her." Lim said.
Dillingham said she had not thought about what the award would mean for her or a possible career in acting.
"Careerwise, I'm taking it one step at a time," she said. "That's going to look pretty good on a resume, but I haven't given much thought to it vet."
Dillingham said that she had fun at the competition and that she would not have received the award without the help of Lim, Robison and Grant Goodman of the English Alternative Theater.
"It was almost like a mini-vacation." she said. "We had a great time, and I couldn't have asked for a better partner. She was great on stage."
Edited by Jon Campbell
Granada musical benefit to honor bus driver's life
By Ezra Sykes
esykes@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Loud music, celebration, family and friends — Rockin' Ron would have had it no other way.
Ron "Rockin' Ron" Gleason, who died from a heart attack Feb. 27 at age 50, will be remembered at 8 p.m. tonight at the Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St., at the Rockin' Ron Memorial Benefit.
Gleason, who had been a driver with Lawrence Bus Company for 12 years, was known on campus for the loud rock 'n' roll music he played in his bus.
And appropriately enough, loud music will be present at the benefit.
Flight 19, The Lonesome Hound Dogs, The Border Band and The Buick 6's will provide the tunes.
Vince Chavez, drummer for Flight 19 and Lawrence resident, knew Gleason for 20 years. The two watched each other get married and raise children, often taking family trips together.
"It was a lot of fun being around him," Chavez said. "I always felt better because he was constantly in a good mood. With all the stress of being a bus driver, I don't understand how he could always be so calm."
Chavez thought the benefit was fitting for the bus driver who regularly bid farewell to his passengers with a "party hearty."
"This is the very music he cared about," Chavez said. "I hope people get together and enjoy themselves. That was Ron's way of living."
Gleason's wife, Rauna, couldn't agree more.
"Ron really loved three things — his family, music and people," she said. "All the components for his perfect party will be there."
And although a little sadness will probably be present among party-goers, Rauna Gleason said there was reason to be cheerful.
"I don't want to mourn Ron's death," she said. "I want to celebrate his life."
Proceeds from the Rockin' Ron Benefit concert will go into an education fund for Gleason's two surviving sons, Raymond, 8, and Ron, 14. Admission is $5.
Ron "Rockin' Ron" Gleason stands next to his bus. A memorial benefit will be held to honor the popular bus driver. Contributed photo.
BENEFIT CONCERT
who: Flight 19, The Lonesome Hound Dogs,
The Border Band and The Buick 6's will play
at the concert.
When: 8 p.m. tonight
■ Where: Granada, 1020 Massachusetts
St
Why: Proceeds from the Rockin' Ran Benefit concert will go to an education fund for Gleason's two surviving sons, Raymond, 8, and Ron, 14.
How much: Admission is $5
Contributions also can be sent to the Ronald E. Gleason Memorial Fund in care of Warren-MeElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th St., Lawrence, KS 66044.
Friends of Gleason also have established a memorial fund. Contributions can be sent to 821 New Jersey St., Lawrence, KS 66044.
Edited by Clint Hooker
Leaders, volunteers needed for international orientation
By Julia Nicholson Special to the Kansas
Yukako Imamura arrived at Kansas City International Airport wide-eyed and confused.
"It was the most nervous moment since leaving home," Imamura said. "Because I didn't know anybody, I didn't know what to do."
Volunteers from the University of Kansas stationed at the airport checked her in and directed her to Lawrence.
Orientation programs, such as the one imamura attended, serve to allay some of the anxiety and ease the transition from a familiar culture to unfamiliar territory.
International Student Services, which organizes International Student Orientation, is looking for orientation leaders and volunteers for the upcoming fall orientation on August 8-16. Applications are due Thursday.
ISS helps international students with the immigration process, safety and health information, and finances and housing, said Eko Setiawan, a programming assistant with ISS and a past orientation leader and volunteer. ISS also arranges transportation for students to shopping areas and restaurants.
In the fall, the University receives as many as 300 new international students, about half of whom will participate in the actual orientation program. Orientation familiarizes these students to life at the University and in the United States, but students who participate in
orientation get more than just information
"It's their first step towards becoming a successful student at KU," said Michael Ediger, assistant director of ISS.
Because orientation leaders are students themselves, incoming students can easily relate to them.
Applicants will be interviewed by a panel of ISS staff, who will choose six leaders. These leaders will be required to help out during the orientation period for a total of about 40 hours and will be paid a stipend of $175. Volunteers do not have to commit as much of their time as orientation leaders and can choose the times when they are available to help. Even a couple of hours would be useful. Ediger said.
May Harrell, Salina senior, has volunteered twice.
"You meet all different kinds of people in all fields of study," she said. "It's kind of interesting."
Wajahab Abdullah, Karachi, Pakistan, freshman, went through the program last fall and enjoyed the experience so much that he volunteered in the spring.
"International students come to a foreign country where they don't know anybody," he said. "It's easy to get to know them and become friends."
Applications are available at International Student Services, 2 Strong Hall, and are due by 5 p.m. Thursday.
Edited by Kelly Ahrendt
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