COE Alum Wins Spirit of Gainesville Award

Mary Hausch (BAE, ‘71) is the winner of The Gainesville Sun’s 2012 Spirit of Gainesville Award for her contribution to the arts. Hausch is the producing director and co-founder of the Hippodrome Theatre in Gainesville. The award recognizes talented individuals for their significant contribution to the city. Since graduating from UF, Hausch helped found the Hippodrome and continues to lead the theatre’s educational and art programs. She also produces, directs, or acts in many of the theater performances.

“I feel that through my role as an artist and administrator, I can help integrate arts into the lives of so many people, I can help assure the survival of theatre as a vital art form and help create the audiences of tomorrow,” Hausch says.

UF math education professor Tim Jacobbe also was nominated for the Spirit of Gainesville Award for his leadership and volunteering with Caleb’s Pitch, which he founded. The group arranges memorable experiences for children and families confronting serious childhood diseases.