Mark Levi ’91, a graduate of Appalachian State University’s Theatre program, has established an endowment to support students pursuing careers in theatre design and technology. The fund will provide two annual scholarships through the Frank C. Mohler Endowed Technical Theatre Scholarship, named in honor of Emeritus Professor Frank C. Mohler, whose teaching and mentorship shaped Levi’s early training.
The scholarship supports junior and senior Theatre Arts majors concentrating in Theatre Design/Technology, with secondary consideration for other Theatre Arts concentrations and Theatre minors.
“It’s always meaningful when alumni remember the people and experiences that helped shape their lives. Mark’s generous gift honors Professor Mohler’s influence as well as recognizes talented Design and Technology students in Theatre and Dance. Gifts like this help ensure that students can continue learning their craft in a hands-on theatre and dance environment,” said Michael Helms, Chair and Faculty in the Department of Theatre and Dance.
Mark Levi and Dr. Frank Mohler at 1991 App State Graduation
Levi said the decision to create the fund reflects both his professional success and the foundational role App State played in his career. “I can trace back to App and time with Professor Mohler as the cornerstone of my education and skills,” he said. “Because of my success, I wanted to start this scholarship as a way to give back to my college and honor Professor Mohler and the program that made my career possible.”
Mohler, who taught at App State for more than three decades, is recognized for his contributions as a designer, scholar, and educator. He noted the significance of Levi’s gift, saying, “When a student from 30 years ago acknowledges part of their success was the result of my influence by endowing a scholarship in my name, it is an important honor.”
He added that a scholarship dedicated specifically to theatre design and technology will strengthen the university’s ability to attract students interested in these fields.
Levi emphasized the value of formal training in technical theatre, particularly the hands-on learning environment that collegiate programs provide. “Higher education is expensive,” he said. “There is value in being part of a collegiate theatre program. It is an active classroom that provides experience and exposure with the support of professors and immediate feedback.”
He hopes the scholarship will help students pursue their interests in technical theatre and contribute to the long-term vitality of the arts. Levi also reflected on a recent professional experience that reaffirmed his belief in arts education: attending MJ: The Musical last year. The production’s technical execution, he said, underscored the importance of skilled designers and technicians in shaping modern theatre.
Levi hopes recipients of the scholarship will carry forward a commitment to persistence and professional growth. “There are long days and tiring weeks, but when the show is a success, there is a tremendous sense of satisfaction,” he said. “If it’s what you love, keep pursuing it.”
He also encouraged broader investment in the arts at App State, noting that artistic work enriches communities and strengthens human connection.
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About the Department of Theatre and Dance
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Theatre and Dance’s mission is to facilitate transformative experiences for students and the public, which cultivate compassionate, creative, and collaborative communities through theatre and dance. The department also offers coursework for integrated learning through the arts to the general university student population. Its dynamic co-curricular production program provides exemplary theatre and dance experiences to departmental students, the university community, and the region.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls 21,795 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio, and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
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