Actor Ed Harris Celebrates OU Fine Arts, 5 Alumni Honored as Luminaries

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NORMAN, OKLA. – The Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma celebrated outstanding alumni at its 34th Annual Arts! Arts! Arts! Gala on March 2.

Actor Ed Harris, who studied drama at OU in the early 1970s, delivered remarks, praising the college’s impact on the arts. “An arts education, by its very nature, teaches mindfulness, not only of the world and people around you but of oneself. It helps you to be honest with yourself. What are my shortcomings? What am I good at? What do I need to do to be a better artist, a better person?

“And whether or not one becomes a professional in one’s chosen field, the experience of an education in the arts enriches one's lifetime. Self-awareness, imagination, collaboration, dedication, commitment, compassion, open-mindedness, tolerance, joy, fulfillment – and that is what OU’s College of Fine Arts is all about,” Harris said to the audience through a recorded message. Harris could not attend in person due to the recent Southern California wildfires.

Five distinguished alumni were named Luminaries, recognizing their achievements and contributions to the arts. They are:

Kirk Fitzgerald (BFA ’11), of Montgomery, Texas, has built a career as a lighting designer. He has contributed to over 20 Broadway productions, including Tony Award-winning shows The Band’s Visit and MJ the Musical. His work spans national and international tours, television projects and major productions such as Kimberly Akimbo, Into the Woods and Mrs. Doubtfire.

Clyde Montgomery, Ph.D. (PhD, ’86), of Edmond, Oklahoma, received a degree in music education at OU, dedicated 47 years to Langston University, retiring as vice president of academic affairs. A U.S. Army veteran, he helped secure over $6 million in grant funding and was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in 2024.

Jared Watson (BFA ’04), of Shreveport, Louisiana, is a producer, director, actor and co-founder of Stage Center and its School of Performing Arts in Shreveport. He has directed and produced over 100 productions, worked with Tony Award-winning professionals and established arts education programs, including the Talented Arts Program in Louisiana.

Brian Lee Whisenhunt (BFA ’92, MFA ’99), executive director of the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma, previously led The Rockwell Museum in Corning, New York, expanding its collection by 25% and overseeing major milestones. He has held leadership roles at multiple museums and is now spearheading the completion of Gilcrease’s new facility.

Melissa Schoenfeld (BA ’85, MFA ’87), of Van Buren, Arkansas, has spent over 30 years advancing dance education as artistic and executive director of Western Arkansas Ballet. She has produced The Nutcracker, hosted Regional Dance America Conferences, and launched a Dance for Parkinson’s program.

The event, held at the OU Memorial Union, featured live performances by students from the School of Musical Theatre, School of Drama, School of Music and School of Dance and artwork from the OU School of Visual Arts, helping raise funds for student and faculty professional development opportunities.

The Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma produces more than 400 concerts, recitals, plays, musicals, operas and dance performances annually. Learn more at ou.edu/finearts.