Trine's San Giacomo honored

Receives Mayor's Arts & Humanities Award

 

The receipt of the 2009 Mayor’s Arts & Humanities Award Wednesday in Wells Theater moved Trine Professor William San Giacomo to tears and to a verbal outpouring of his affection for the university and its students.

Trine Professor Bill San Giacomo, right, examines the Mayor's Arts & Humanities Award presented to him by Angola Mayor Richard Hickman, left, on March 18 in Wells Theater. Professor Tom Tierney, center, officiates at the annual award presentation.

Since its inception 10 years ago, the award has been presented by Angola Mayor Dick Hickman to local individuals who have contributed to culture in the area for a significant period of time. The goal of the presentation—to surprise its recipient—was realized, as the stunned San Giacomo scanned the faces of his family, friends, and students gathered for the honor.

Trine Professor Dr. Tom Tierney officiates for the annual presentation. The Steuben County Community Foundation funds the award through a Humanities Fund grant, and its Humanities Advisory Group nominates award candidates for the mayor.

“I know Bill, and I doubt he knows how many lives he’s touched over the years,” Hickman said in announcing the award. “He teaches young men to be gentlemen and young women to be ladies.”

San Giacomo heads the golf management program in the Ketner School of Business and serves as head golf coach. Early in his university career, he wrote much of the curricula for Tri-State University’s emerging English and theater arts programs, founded the Drama Club, which still exists, and directed and acted in a number of productions over a 30-year period. He co-wrote and directed an updated version of Defoe’s “Moll Flanders,” and developed a community and student audience as Drama Club adviser.

A 23-year Steuben County Drama Association member, he acted and directed for numerous productions, and served as the organization’s president for four years.

He is one of the country’s remaining full-time faculty golf coaches, earning four Excellence in Teaching awards and the university’s Jannen Renaissance Scholar award in 1994. He has been named Conference Coach of the Year 15 times over a 35-year period. He was appointed head coach of the U.S. men’s golf team for the World University Games in 1992, and founded and directed the TSU Golf Academy, which brought summer programs to the community.

“As actor, director, writer, teacher, and golf coach, Bill San Giacomo has had a significant impact on the cultural life of Angola, the extended community, and beyond,” Hickman said.

San Giacomo called the award “quite a shock,” thanked those involved, and said he will display it with pride in his home. “I have loved every minute of my TSU/Trine association. I loved Drama Club and hated to give it up. The golf team is like having tons of sons. We’re very close,” he said.