The Nate Garner Memorial Fund

Dear friend of the department,

In March, 2006,The George Washington University lost one of its finest professors, Dr. Nathan “Nate” Garner. For 38 years, he enriched the lives of those who studied under him at GW, as well as everyone who had a chance to know him and call him friend. He was a talented artist, instructor, and mentor who possessed a true passion for teaching. His sudden passing leaves a significant void in the Department of Theatre and Dance. For the past eight years our relationship with Nate has drawn us back to the campus to run workshops for the department. It has been a most rewarding experience. We intend to continue doing this, but now feel that there is more to be done.

We are now working to establish an endowed fund in Nate’s honor. Its purpose will be to support bringing gifted artists and teachers to work with students during the academic year. Through this fund, Nate Garner’s love for teaching will continue to help his students discover and develop the best in themselves.

Please join us in honoring Nate by helping to raise $50,000 to establish the Nate Garner Memorial Fund. Your generousity will be meaningful to Nate’s family and the wider GW community, with lasting benefits in the years to come.

For further information, please contact Kerry Murphy, the Associate Director of Advancement in the Columbian College at 202.994.3194 or kemurphy@gwu.edu.

You can also make an online contribution
Please choose “other” and designate to The Dept. of Theatre and Dance- Nate Garner Memorial Fund.

Sincerely,

Peter Gorin, ‘73
Michael Lange, ‘71

obituary from the Washington Post

April 1, 2006
Nathan C. Garner, GWU Professor

Nathan C. Garner, 64, a George Washington University professor of theatre, died of adult respiratory distress syndrome March 22 at Montgomery General Hospital.

Dr. Garner, who began teaching at GWU in 1968, helped create the school’s Master’s of Fine Arts programs in Acting, Directing and Design during the 1970’s and also helped establish the school’s interdisciplinary major in Dramatic Literature. For the past three years, he was Associate Chairman for the Department of Theatre and Dance. For more than 30 years, he directed one show each year.

In the past three years, he was a judge for the Helen Hayes Awards to local professional theatre.

Born in Shoreham, VT, he graduated from Tufts University and received a Master’s degree in theatre from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1965. He taught briefly at what was then Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania, then received a doctorate in theatre from the University of Michigan in 1985.

A fan of GWU’s basketball teams, Dr. Garner also enjoyed rooting for the Washington Redskins. He was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Brighton, MD.

His marriage to Ann Candice Corry ended in divorce.

Survivors include his wife of 19 years, Victoria Walsh Garner of Silver Spring; a song from his first marriage, William Richard Contant Garner of Boston; two children from his second marriage, Robert James Garner and Stephen Chadwick Garner, both of Silver Spring; three brothers; and one sister.

A memorial celebration: May 5, 2006

The Department of Theatre and Dance will be hosting a memorial celebration of Nate Garner's life in the Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre on Friday, May 5th, beginning at 2 p.m., with a reception to follow at 3:30 p.m.

A visual component, spearheaded by Vickie Garner and her family, is planned, and we would love any visuals that individuals may have to share. Also, there may be musical, poetic, theatrical, or choreographic ways that people want to express their feelings about Nate, as well as stories and reminiscences. The time will be limited, so any stories that don't get shared that afternoon will be included in a book of memories we will be creating for Vickie and Nate's family, with a copy also residing in the department. Please send your ideas for the celebration to theatre@gwu.edu.

The event will occur the day before CAST Day, the annual day of workshops for students and alumni of the department.

Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre in the Marvin Center is located at 800 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, two blocks from the Foggy Bottom Metro station on the blue and orange lines. Call 202-994-6178 with any questions.