The Advance

Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: News

Above: Justin Morse, writes in the guest log for Eric R. Marshall. Below: The forensics and debate team head into Trinity Methodist Church.

An afternoon service was
held for former chair of the
Communication Studies &
Theatre Arts department, Dr. Eric R.
Marshall on Jan. 24.
In attendance were several KWU
staff members, student government
association representatives, theatre
and choir students, and the entire
forensics & debate team.
Over 150 people filed into Trinity
United Methodist Church to say
goodbye to the influential professor.
Marshall's wife, Barbara, the current
chair of the same department,
embraced her daughters compassionately
through the service.
Afterward, she could be seen hugging
family and students and wishing
the debate and forensics team good
luck in their tournament that weekend.
Marshall worked in the theatre department
from 1987 to 2001, building
the program with productions such as
She Stoops to Conquer and even the
all-black play Fences.
Dr. William Clyde Brown, who
spoke at the service, commented that
Marshall, "never let students make
excuses."
"He would often cast students without
experience or with disabilities,
not because the part called for it but
to give them a chance."
Much of the ceremony surrounded
Marshall's life-long appreciation for the theatre.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools