June 14, 1999

To Whom It May Concern:

It is my pleasure to write in recommendation of a most excellent creative individual. Mr. Nicholas N. Thurkettle has just graduated from Bradley University as one of its most advanced thinkers, best writers, and accomplished artists — in short, a multi-talented student that in a former age would be referred to as a “Renaissance Man.” Mr. Thurkettle is well qualified and well positioned for the marketplace of the twenty-first century; he possesses the intelligence, skills, and creativity for careers that specialize in or mix journalism, play and screen writing, acting, criticism, and/or music.

At Bradley, Mr. Thurkettle earned a double-major degree in Theatre Arts and Music. His degree is also enhanced by his successful completion of the Global Scholars International Option which recognizes his course of study as emphasizing international issues and major study-abroad experiences in Europe. In the theatre, he was a leader in many capacities: He wrote plays that were produced to significant acclaim; he directed experimental and provocative productions; and he performed leading roles on the mainstage, most recently as Valentine in Arcadia. In music, he has been an active participant as french horn player in our leading ensembles. Mr. Thurkettle has achieved laudable success as a writer: While a student at Bradley, several of his lengthy features appeared on the front page of the Sunday entertainment section of the Peoria Journal Star. His piece on the history and influence of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, in particular, demonstrates the provocative, informative, insightful qualities of his thinking as well as the entirely readable and entertaining style of his writing. His plays have received excellent reviews, and in a reversal of form, his theatre and film criticism has won awards from the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival and Illinois College Press Association.

I also know Mr. Thurkettle to be an eminently warm and highly moral person. His friendly disposition makes him a most valued colleague in professions where egomania runs rampant. He is a most calming influence with a great sense of humor.

Nicholas Thurkettle will achieve great expectations in intensely creative environments — from graduate programs in writing and the arts to careers in journalism, publishing, theatre, music, and cinema. Please give his application careful consideration. He will bring great credit and success to your endeavors as he has done for ours. He has my highest recommendation.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Huberman
Dean, Henry Pindell Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts
Bradley University

Still working on it, Jeff. Still working on it.

The students are all running around rehearsing the tech schedule for the shows tonight; walking through lighting changes and furniture moves, last-minute costume approvals, vocal exercises. I have had a big grin on my face ever since I got here; this place is a home to me, and that feeling took me the moment I walked back through the doors. The students are different people but the same types I knew – passionate and determined and still not-quite-formed, awkwardly brilliant and beautiful.

I don’t have any job to do today but plant my ass in the seat with the “Reserved” sign on it, but I am absorbing this hectic electric urgency happening all around me. There’s a show about to happen. Only hours to go.

The last time I visited Bradley was almost seven years ago. The school has always wanted me to come back, and I’ve always wanted to go, but between money, time, and needing a good enough reason to commit the first two things, it never quite happened. Now, to get to see a few scripts of mine on their feet, and talk with this generation of theatre students, and reminisce, and hopefully even coax a few fellow alums down from Chicago for some ol’ times kinds of fun…that all adds up pretty nicely.

And if I happen to pop into a couple of classes to say a few words, and if they happen to cough up a small check, that would make it add up even better. Good luck to that in today’s economy, but I’ll hope.