Arthur Hopper retires from UWSP

Upon his retirement, the chair of theatre and dance at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point was feted with a Broadway show in his honor and the establishment of a scholarship in his name.

Arthur Hopper will leave UWSP after 16 years of teaching, directing and heading a department of 12 full-time faculty, several staff members and 160 student majors.

Hopper was the guest of honor at a musical event at the end of March featuring two of his former students and a third artist, all Broadway actors, who starred in an evening of song and dance at the Sentry Theater. The show featured Timothy Shew, Hopper's former student at Millikin University, who has played leading roles including two stints as Jean Valjean in the Broadway production of "Les Miserables," Susan Spencer, a 1985 graduate of UWSP, and her husband, Andrew Varela, both of whom are members of the current Les Mis cast. Joining them were several current musical theatre students at UWSP.

Hopper, who produced and directed the production, describes it as "successful beyond my expectations." At the show's second night, area friends and patrons of the arts announced the creation of an endowment with the UWSP Foundation in Hopper's name. The fund will be used to sponsor a scholarship for an outstanding graduating senior to help the recipient embark upon a career in theatre.

During his several years at the helm, Hopper led the department's charge to gain national accreditation which was granted in 1985. In addition, he was able to help his faculty colleagues develop professional degree granting programs in dance, acting, musical theatre and design technology.

The theatre and dance programs, which have developed national as well as regional reputations, are currently experiencing their highest enrollment ever. Hopper says he is proud to leave the program in such strong shape with a solid curriculum and high quality students and faculty. However, he is concerned about the ongoing issues of growth combined with a shortage of faculty and curricular resources.

Hopper says he and his wife, Dee Ann, are excited about their personal plans to travel and spend time with their four children and four grandchildren who are located throughout the country. Leaving UWSP is an emotional step for Hopper, however. He says it will be difficult to no longer be involved in the development of young talent. Teaching and directing students plus leading his department have been major parts of his life. He says it has been a special privilege to be part of the Central Wisconsin community and its strong support of the arts.

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