Five Inducted to Curtain Raisers Wall of Fame for 2025

For their contributions to University of Findlay’s performing arts community, a group of five graduates from the mid-1990s were named to the Curtain Raisers Wall of Fame – Joann (Chase) Anderson, Damian Bowerman, Cliff Logan Jr., Jennifer (Harrison) McDonough, and Don Swank.

The 2025 inductees were honored by Mike Anders, Ph.D., emeritus professor of music and producer of UF’s Donnell Broadway Concert Series.

“All of them participated in theatre and music for the entire time that they were here at UF, and each made a huge impact in the UF performing arts of that time,” Anders noted. “Over the past 30 years, each has gone on to continue their involvement with the performing arts in various ways, from professional theatre to music making.”

As students, they all performed in the University’s annual musical theatre productions that included “1776,” “Once Upon a Mattress,” “Call Me Madam,” and “Brigadoon.” All five also were members of the UF Concert-Chorale for four years.

“What ties them all together is their love for the performing arts that has continued long past their time at the University of Findlay,” Anders explained.

Joann (Chase) Anderson, of Nashville, Tennessee, graduated from UF in 1996 with a double major in theatre performance and elementary education and returned to complete a master’s degree in education in 2005. While a graduate student, she also served on the UF theatre faculty, teaching Acting 1 and Audition 101, and made her directing debut.

After graduation, Joann moved to New York and worked in the theatre scene, including writing and performing an original cabaret, “Ladies Night Out.”

A member of Actors Equity, Anderson toured the country with TheatreWorks USA. Some of her professional theatre performances have included “Annie Warbucks,” “Nunsense,” “The Pirates of Penzance,” “Camelot,” and “The Music Man.”

In the past 20 years, she has taught at Arcadia Schools, directing the high school musical productions at Arcadia and for Findlay High School, and at two schools in Tennessee.

Damian Bowerman of Westerville, OH, graduated from UF in 1995 with a double major in theatre and comprehensive education.

As a professional actor, he is a member of Actors Equity and has performed at the Showboat Becky Thatcher, the Huron Playhouse, the Barn Theatre, Phoenix Theater for Children, Actors’ Theatre Company, Ohio Chautauqua Society, Porthouse Theatre, Contemporary American Theatre Company (CATCO) in Columbus, and as a guest artist at Ohio State University.

Bowerman held a professional fellowship with CATCO, working on stage and in marketing and fundraising. He also served as development coordinator for the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts.

In 2002, he earned a master’s of fine arts in acting from OSU, and has worked there for 20 years, currently as external relations coordinator for the OSU department of dance.

Clifford D. Logan Jr., of Red Lion York, Pennsylvania, graduated in 1996 with degrees in Spanish, secondary bilingual education, and environmental materials management.

He and his wife Kim are very active in Faith United Methodist Church in Hallam, Pennsylvania, where his involvement in the choir eventually lead to his directing the choir and leading worship. He became the co-leader of the youth group, served as chair of the church council, and eventually became a lay speaker for church in the absence of the minister.

For the past seven years, he has been employed by the Penn State Medical Group as a provider and clinical staff trainer.

Jennifer (Harrison) McDonough of New Rochelle, New York, graduated in 1995 with a double major in theatre performance and communications advertising.

She moved to New York City, where her first two jobs were at the Disney Store on Fifth Avenue and the iconic Ellen’s Stardust Diner, home of the singing waitstaff. She went on to perform with regional theatrical companies and embark on multiple U.S. tours. On the tour of “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” she met her music-director husband, Tom McDonough.

She is a member of Actors Equity and has performed in “Annie,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “Nunsense,” and “Les Misérables.” She also spent five summers as the lead vocalist with the Rick Erwin Orchestra at the Balsams Grand Resort in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire.

Most recently, McDonough accepted a position on the board of trustees for the Skyline Theatre Company in Bloomfield, New Jersey. She also is the marketing manager for Ophthalmology Congress Strategy & Promotion.

Don Swank of Canton, Ohio, earned a bachelor of science degree in hazardous materials management and went on to Indiana University to receive a master of public affairs with a non-profit management concentration in 1997.

In 2010, he earned his Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Currently, he is employed at Malone University in Canton, Ohio as the deputy head of information technology services.

Swank has continued his singing at various churches in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio, both in choirs and as a soloist. He also has written and directed religious dramatic skits based on the experience he gained from the UF church relations team. Currently, he serves as cantor at St. John’s Anglican Church in Canton, where he leads the congregational singing.

The Curtain Raisers Society for the Performing Arts started 23 years ago to recognize alumni, faculty, staff, and other individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the performing arts, according to Jill Wagner, chair of the Curtain Raisers advisory board.

“Each year, we honor those who have provided truly exceptional contributions and service to the performing arts programs at the University and those who have continued to make significant contributions in their chosen field, bringing credit and distinction to UF,” she said.

Also at the ceremony, Val Escobedo, associate professor of art, recognized four students who received Curtain Raisers scholarships: Lauren Anderson, orchestra; Eva Hancock, performing arts; and Jared Hill, choral; and Carson Haug, technical theatre production.

In addition, Escobedo honored graduating seniors who have made special contributions to UF’s performing arts programs: Kaitlyn Adamic, Cheyenne Anaya, Jaylesiyah Barner-Moon, Megan Becker, Ed Bock, Abbey Burke, Kaylee Davis, Sienna Garcia, Elizabeth Giese, Carson Haug, Sara James, Hannah Keuerleber, Lilia Kocsis, Mikayla Lemire, Owen McInnes, Connor Oberhouse, Olivia Perry, Marisa Prisco, Sam Ried, Asmaa Shaaya, Devin Shannon, Hannah Stuckey, Owen Styer, Bella Vaughn, Ray Wallen, Madeline Zachrich, and Nora Zirm.

Pictured above, from left, are: Don Swank, Marlene Bowerman, Joann (Chase) Anderson, fellow performer Rob Parker, Damian Bowerman, UF emeritus professor Mike Anders, Ph.D., Jennifer (Harrison) McDonough, and Cliff Logan Jr.

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