HJ1065: Commending George Joseph Hillow III.
WHEREAS, for more than two decades, George Joseph Hillow III has been an integral and committed member of the Christopher Newport University community, where he built a distinguished career as a theater professor; and
WHEREAS, a native of Newport News, George Hillow graduated from Duke University with a degree in psychology, and with no plans for a lengthy career in the theater arts; and
WHEREAS, George Hillow has ably served as an educator, scholar, and artist, and been a well-known presence in the Hampton Roads theater scene since he came to work at the Virginia Stage Company in 1987; and
WHEREAS, George Hillow took a job at Christopher Newport University in 1991, after his wife, Judi, saw a newspaper advertisement for a theater teaching position at the university; and
WHEREAS, George Hillow has contributed to the artistic success of TheaterCNU productions, serving as scenic designer for 75 productions, lighting designer for 37 productions, technical director for 37 productions, and director for 14 productions; and
WHEREAS, as associate professor and director of design at Christopher Newport University, George Hillow taught theater and scene design and was a beloved mentor and friend to his students, who lovingly call him “Prof”; and
WHEREAS, George Hillow has embodied the very best in university service, serving on numerous departmental and university committees, and as chair of the Academic Status and Faculty Grievance Committees; and
WHEREAS, George Hillow designed and helped raise funds in excess of $35,000 to build the beloved Arts Garden in the center of Christopher Newport University’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, which he also helped design, and the beautiful and serene garden is one of the proudest achievements of his career; and
WHEREAS, George Hillow became a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829 in New York by undergoing a rigorous portfolio review process by a committee of professional scene designers; and
WHEREAS, George Hillow has been prolific as a professional scene designer, designing sets for over 40 productions at professional venues throughout the Hampton Roads area and the Commonwealth, and his work has been seen at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; and
WHEREAS, the CNU Theater Guild created a scholarship named for George Hillow, and the annual honor is awarded to a freshman or sophomore planning to major in theater and pursue a sub-discipline in design, management, directing, history, or technology; and
WHEREAS, George Hillow’s important legacy in the theater arts community at Christopher Newport University and in Hampton Roads will be felt for many years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend George Joseph Hillow III on his long and distinguished career as a theater professor at Christopher Newport University; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to George Joseph Hillow III as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his unwavering dedication to education and the theater arts.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 1065
WHEREAS, for more than two decades, George Joseph Hillow III has been an integral and committed member of the Christopher Newport University community, where he built a distinguished career as a theater professor; and
WHEREAS, a native of Newport News, George Hillow graduated from Duke University with a degree in psychology, and with no plans for a lengthy career in the theater arts; and
WHEREAS, George Hillow has ably served as an educator, scholar, and artist, and been a well-known presence in the Hampton Roads theater scene since he came to work at the Virginia Stage Company in 1987; and
WHEREAS, George Hillow took a job at Christopher Newport University in 1991, after his wife, Judi, saw a newspaper advertisement for a theater teaching position at the university; and
WHEREAS, George Hillow has contributed to the artistic success of TheaterCNU productions, serving as scenic designer for 75 productions, lighting designer for 37 productions, technical director for 37 productions, and director for 14 productions; and
WHEREAS, as associate professor and director of design at Christopher Newport University, George Hillow taught theater and scene design and was a beloved mentor and friend to his students, who lovingly call him “Prof”; and
WHEREAS, George Hillow has embodied the very best in university service, serving on numerous departmental and university committees, and serving as chair of the Academic Status and Faculty Grievance Committees; and
WHEREAS, George Hillow designed and helped raise funds in excess of $35,000 to build the beloved Arts Garden in the center of Christopher Newport University’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, which he also helped design, and the beautiful and serene garden is one of the proudest achievements of his career; and
WHEREAS, George Hillow became a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829 in New York by undergoing a rigorous portfolio review process by a committee of professional scene designers; and
WHEREAS, George Hillow has been prolific as a professional scene designer, designing sets for over 40 productions at professional venues throughout the Hampton Roads area and the Commonwealth, and his work has been seen at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; and
WHEREAS, the CNU Theater Guild created a scholarship named for George Hillow, and the annual honor is awarded to a freshman or sophomore planning to major in theater and pursue a sub-discipline in design, management, directing, history, or technology; and
WHEREAS, George Hillow’s important legacy in the theater arts community at Christopher Newport University and in Hampton Roads will be felt for many years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend George Joseph Hillow III on his long and distinguished career as a theater professor at Christopher Newport University; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to George Joseph Hillow III as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his unwavering dedication to education and the theater arts.