Tyler

By STEWART SMITH
Entertainment Editor

The University of Texas at Tyler Cowan Center announced Thursday the recipients of its inaugural Cowan Star Award and Cowan Media Award.

Unveiled at a special press conference, the awards were given to distinguished supporters of the Cowan Center during its 15 years of operation. Recipients of the Cowan Star Award included Joseph Z. and Louise H. Ornelas, Southside Bank, as well as Drs. Svetislava J. Vukelja and Lawrence L. Anderson. The Cowan Media Award was given to KETK NBC 56.

Recipients were chosen based on the criteria of loyalty, longevity, consistency, service and level of support.

“I could go on and on about the things all of you have done for us,” said Susan Thomae-Morphew, executive director of the Cowan Center. “I've been here 12 years now … and it has been a joy to work with all of you and the support you give makes this happen.”

Mrs. Ornelas said she was honored to be recognized by an organization that has meant a great deal to her and her husband.

“(The Cowan Center) has been something really wonderful for Tyler,” she said. “I'm really proud of the Cowan Center and what it has done for so many people in Tyler and given them a chance to see shows that they'd never get to see.”

Mr. and Mrs. Ornelas have been involved with the development and establishment of the Cowan Center since its inception more than 15 years ago.

Recipients will be officially honored at the premiere of the Cowan Arts & Awards event on March 24, complete with a Walk of Fame-style ground plaque unveiling in the Spence Plaza outside the center's auditorium.

The evening will include an auction with items such as guitars autographed by B.B. King and Lyle Lovett and a violin signed by Joshua Bell and Itzhak Perlman up for bid, with proceeds from the dinner going to benefit the Cowan Center's Performance Excellence Endowment.

In addition, the dinner will have some star power as Larry Hagman and Linda Gray will make an appearance to mingle with guests. Hagman and Ms. Gray are best known for their respective roles as J.R. and Sue Ellen Ewing on the 1980s television drama, “Dallas,” which returns to TV this Summer on TNT.

Limited seating for the event is still available. For more information, call 903-566-7424.

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