The University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Visual and Theatre Arts dedicated and renamed the Vanguard Little Theatre on Oct. 20 in memory of longtime faculty member and Vanguard Theatre director William H. Snyder.

Snyder taught at UT Martin for 32 years and directed almost 200 plays during his tenure.
<blockquote>“William H. Snyder was an incredibly influential teacher, artist and mentor here at UT Martin and was the leader of Vanguard Theatre for 32 years. Many of us remember him with the utmost love and respect, and I personally credit Bill with much of what I have achieved as an artist, but frankly as a human being,” said Doug Cook, retired chair of visual and theatre arts. “Placing Bill’s name on this theatre facility is a small gesture compared to the many accomplishments and impact he had on so many lives, the lives of hundreds of UT Martin alums and the veterans of Vanguard Theatre.”</blockquote>
Snyder died in 2008 at the age of 78. The William H. Snyder Little Theatre will feature a memorial plaque above the entrance in honor of Snyder’s dedication to the performing arts at UT Martin.

For more information, contact Dr. Carol Eckert, chair of visual and theatre arts, at ceckert@utm.edu.