MACON – Mercer University junior Derrick Buie recently received a $3,000 Student Member Scholarship from Alpha Psi Omega (APO) theatre honor society.
Buie, from Fayetteville, is a double-major in theatre and biology with a minor in chemistry in Mercer’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
He currently serves as vice president of Mercer’s chapter of APO.
“Derrick has shown time and time again that his commitment to his academics and to theatre are of the utmost importance to him, and that anything less than bringing his all is unacceptable,” said Frani Rollins, assistant professor of theatre and faculty adviser to Mercer’s chapter of APO. “He brings others up with him and is a support for students, faculty and staff not just here in theatre, but on the entire campus.”
Buie carries a 4.0 GPA, having completed coursework in acting, stagecraft, stage combat, and cosplay props and costumes.
He has appeared in Mercer Theatre productions “Evil Dead the Musical,” “7 Ways to Say I Love You,” “The Zoom Room,” “The Commedia Pinocchio,” “The Phoenix Project” and most recently “Hamlet 2020,” among other departmental and APO events and service projects.
He has 13 credits under his belt in productions at Mercer and Whitewater High School and is proficient in fire spinning, gun spinning, sewing and basic costume design, basic prop design, hand drafting and lift operation.
“The theatre has always been a space that has allowed me to escape from the stress and anxiety of the world around me, as well as an environment that allowed me to be my authentic self without fear of judgment. This atmosphere paired with the diverse group of individuals that I have met have allowed me to grow as an individual and learn new and important skills that can be applied to other aspects of my life,” said Buie. “This scholarship will not only help me achieve my goal of performing professionally in the future but will also allow me to dedicate more time and energy to creating and protecting the encouraging and supportive environment of Mercer Theatre.”
Founded in 1925, APO is open to students who are active in collegiate or university theatre at four-year institutions.
Mercer’s Zeta Pi chapter of APO uses a point system for determining eligibility of students, with a certain number of points being awarded for completing certain tasks in theatre. Students must be in their second year of study at Mercer to be considered for induction.
APO annually awards Student Member Scholarships in amounts from $1,500-$3,000 to be used by recipients to further their education and/or professional goals in theatre. Nominations are made by faculty sponsors of APO chapters or by the chapter itself. Student members of APO are nominated for outstanding achievement in theatre work and academic performance, with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
About the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Mercer University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences serves as the academic cornerstone of one of America’s oldest and most distinctive institutions of higher learning. The oldest and largest of Mercer’s 12 schools and colleges, it is a diverse and vibrant community, enrolling more than 1,900 students, dedicated to learning and service through the practice of intellectual curiosity, respectful dialogue and responsible citizenry. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers majors in more than 30 areas of study, including more than a dozen pre-professional academic tracks, with classes taught by an outstanding faculty of scholars. In 2015, Mercer was awarded a chapter of The Phi Beta Kappa Society, the nation’s most prestigious academic honor society that recognizes exceptional achievement in the arts and sciences. For more information, visit liberalarts.mercer.edu.
