Jonathan Charles Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship is being established by Dana and Betty Nicolay who were close friends with Jonathan Charles. Both parties shared the passion for the arts, specifically dance. Dana and Jonathan were initially introduced to each other at the Kansas Dance Festival at K-State. The talent of Jonathan Charles was quickly noted by Dana. Contact was kept and over the years, their friendship grew. Dana had married Betty and Jonathan had married Lou Ann and while backstage one day, discovered they really had a lot in common being both young families with young children (roughly the same age). In 1987, Dana came to Sam Houston State University to fill a teaching position within the Dance Department. A few years later, Jonathan joined SHSU to work on his Master of Fine Arts degree; quickly making himself indispensable.
Upon completing his degree, Johnny stayed and became a key asset to the dance department and musical theatre program. He continuously put his students first. During the summers he offered free classes to work on technique with the kids in town and to help them in shape over summer. Johnny was happiest spending time in the studio helping his students perfect their art. After his death, Dana Nicolay reflects on their organic friendship and remembers Johnny’s legacy.