Jan Swart succumbed to breast cancer in her home with her family on Monday, March 12.
Swart, a Theatre major, a playwright, a director and actor, was one of the first successes for Professor of Theater and Playwright in Residence Jim Anderson’s playwright program.
“(Swart’s) was one othe the first full-length student plays that we produced here,” Anderson said.
Swart wrote Stargirls, performed in You Can’t Take it With You and directed Ballerinas, Choose Your Weapons. She was also a member of Cricket City Improv.
“She was a remarkable person to work with and a wonderful actress,” Anderson said. “She was a great friend and a surrogate mother to many in our department.”
A memorial service will be held in her honor in the Performing Arts Center on Saturday March 31 at 2 p.m.
The Theater Department will also establish an endowment in Swart’s name for student playwrights.
“Everyone thought the world of her,” Anderson said.