William E. Mcturk ‘48 (1925—2005) Actor, Mentor, Teacher, Activist, Friend...THESPIAN
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Penn State Thespian Alumni Interest Group VOLUMETHE 8 NUMBER 1 ENCOREWINTER, 2006 William E. McTurk ‘48 (1925—2005) Actor, Mentor, Teacher, Activist, Friend...THESPIAN All of these words have been used to char- chester County chapter of the Alumni As- worked? acterize Bill McTurk ‘48, and the one of sociation in New York. which he might be most proud was Penn To the TAIG board, he was the first one State Thespian. From his undergraduate The most marvelous picture of Bill who prodded the other members to do performing days until his death in May of McTurk, however, comes from Jim more than just attend three meetings a last year, Bill was a Penn State Thespian, Dunaway ‘49. When hearing of Bill’s year. He started by looking for ways to proud of it, and determined to help the passing, he sent this remem- organization continue and thrive. brance of their college per- forming days. Bill grew up in Pittsburgh, and he entered Penn State in the 1940’s. Like many other “I knew him only as a Thes- talented students over the years, he pian. But what a comic actor worked as a disc jockey at WMAJ Radio to he was! Slightly built, with help pay his expenses. After a two-year reddish-blond hair and a break from school to serve in the US ruddy Irish complexion, his Army, Bill returned to campus and gradu- command of the stage was ated in 1948 with a degree in chemical absolute, his face a rubbery engineering. Somewhere in those years, mask across which passed a Bill and Thespians discovered each other, succession of raised eye- and he began his life-long association with brows, open-mouthed aston- our organization. ishment, deadpan stares, and exquisitely timed double- Ray Fortunato ‘47, ‘52(g) was a student takes…all delivered with around the same time, and he mentions assurance and style. To be Bill (center) & Lois McTurk pictured here with Dan two Thespian programs that list Bill in on stage (with a bit-part line Carter, Director of Penn State’s School of Theater. the cast. Ray says Bill was usually a char- or two) with Bill, Jim ‘Mule’ acter actor, appearing in No Kick Coming Mulholland and Jimmy Ambandos ‘48 raise funds for Thespians through desig- (December 1946) as well as in several dif- was so much fun I could barely keep from nated alumni annual gifts. He offered ferent scenes in Varsity Sweetheart laughing, even though we’d rehearsed the suggestions on how to organize the board, (Spring 1947). same silly stuff every night for three and he was involved in every project un- weeks. A sample: dertaken in one way or another. And he Gene Sprague ‘49, who played trumpet ‘Frankly, Doctor, I’m dubious…’ loved being an active part of Thespians for numerous shows in the late 1940’s, ‘Glad to know you, Mr. Dubious!’ again! remembers Bill as a performer. In later Hey, when you can make people laugh years, Gene got to know Bill better with lines like that, you ARE funny. In 1997, Bill and Lois moved to State Col- through their involvement in the West- Bless us all, we had a damn good time.” lege, close to their Dear Old State. This gave Bill the opportunity to bring his vi- After graduation, Bill was recruited by sions, dreams, and leadership directly to Exxon where he spent 34 years—as a the Penn State Thespians. He began at- Don’t miss out on TAIG news chemical engineer, a manager in Brussels tending the Thespian meetings, observing and announcements throughout and Milan, and as a public affairs officer in everything that was going on and often the year—join the TAIG E-Mail New York. At the age of 56, he retired to reminiscing about his own days in the club. LISTSERV today!! Scarborough, New York with his wife Lois. He was a tireless advocate for Thespians, But wherever he was, Bill McTurk main- going to bat for them in any way he If you would like to subscribe, tained his ties to his beloved Penn State could…with the administration, the and the Penn State Thespians. Alumni Association, and the Center for the please contact Bill Schwab ‘01 Performing Arts. He was always willing to at [email protected] When the Thespian Alumni Interest Group lend a helping hand and did so wherever was formed, Bill signed on to serve on the possible. Board of Directors. Who could have fore- seen the impact this man would have on But Bill was always looking for more ways TAIG, the undergraduate organization, to help Thespians, to try to improve their and the students and alums with whom he (Continued on page 2) 2 THE ENCORE A Tribute to Bill TAIG Gift Fund Report Seven years ago, Bill McTurk ’48 spearheaded the effort to establish the TAIG Gift Fund as a way for Thespian Alumni to “give back” to the organization that had such McTurk a profound influence on our lives. The response was nothing short of spectacular and the impact on the Thespian student organization is tangible and profound. (Continued from page 1) resources. Perhaps his greatest legacy is Through your generosity, over $30,000 in equipment has been purchased for the the Thespian Alumni Gift Fund, which pools all of the alumni donations received Thespian club since 1999. Major items have included a computer for the Thespian by Thespians. This fund has allowed the office, pneumatic tools, a cyclorama curtain, new lighting instruments, wireless mi- organization to purchase equipment that crophones, power tools, and a contribution towards the complete renovation of the would otherwise have been unaffordable. lighting system in Schwab. Over $30,000 in equipment has been pur- chased for Thespians since the fund was Now, the Gift Fund must continue without its chief steward and advocate. Bill’s established including tools and equipment vision and determination created this fund and its continued existence will be one of for the Thespian workshop, wireless mi- his many lasting legacies. crophones, and a computer for the Thes- pian office in the HUB. It also made a If you have previously donated, we sincerely thank you—and so do the Penn State major contribution toward the complete Thespians! Remember, 100% of your gift goes into the fund and each and every gift, renovation of the lighting system in no matter the size, has a positive impact on the Thespians. Schwab. Bill was instrumental in estab- lishing this fund and insuring its contin- ued vitality. He also served as a mentor to To donate to the TAIG Gift Fund, simply designate Thespians to receive a portion of numerous Thespian student officers and your annual gift to Penn State, or use the clip-out form on page 3. their current faculty advisor Gerald Henry ‘91. William A. Schwab ‘01 TAIG President For everything he has done for and meant [email protected] to Thespians, Bill McTurk was awarded the “Distinguished Service to the Penn State Thespians” award in 2004. minor injuries. Thespians had lost a vital force and a tireless advocate. President’s Notes And Bill and Lois did even more…they made a $400,000 pledge to Penn State to Within days, plans were underway for a The tragic death of Bill McTurk ‘48 was support scholarships and the performing permanent tribute to the man who gave so something that profoundly impacted many arts. A part of this pledge will include much of himself to Thespians. At Bill’s Thespians. Bill was a driving force behind $100,000 to support Thespians’ theatrical Memorial Service in Schwab Auditorium everything that TAIG did—his passion, activities and $50,000 to aid the Center for last June, Thespians and TAIG were energy, and determination were every- the Performing Arts. pleased to announce the creation of a new where! Thespian award in Bill’s Memory “The Bill did have a few other interests, par- William E. McTurk Award for Lifetime Despite the loss of our biggest advocate, ticularly golf. He was an Executive Com- Service to the Penn State Thespians.” It your TAIG Board has been working hard mittee member of the Metropolitan (NY) will be awarded posthumously to Thespian to insure the future prosperity and vitality Golf Association. Lois was president of alumni who have given a lifetime of ser- of Thespians—Bill would expect nothing the Women’s Metropolitan Golf Associa- vice, vision, and leadership to our organi- less of us! tion and a member of the USGA Women’s zation, just like Bill did. The award will be Committee. Both quickly accepted the represented by a plaque which will be I am pleased to announce the following WPGA’s request to help at Penn State’s prominently placed in the lobby of Schwab, additions to the TAIG Board of Directors Rutherford Invitational, where Bill served and it will contain spaces to add the names over the past year: Sarah K. Arras ‘02, for many years as a starter. of future recipients. Fred Leuschner ‘50, Stacy L. Reck ‘88, and, Rebecca Reed ‘00. This past year, Bill had announced he was Every aspect of Bill’s service to Thespians ready to turn the reins of the TAIG presi- bespoke of his boundless energy and char- In the coming year, we plan to launch a dency over to new blood. He planned to acter, his passion and enthusiasm, quali- formalized fundraising campaign for Thes- remain on the TAIG board and was look- ties we are proud to see in Thespian mem- pians— Pete Kiefer ‘56 and Sarah K.