Business major Justin Kreczmer was selected to receive Southwestern’s 2011 Fayez Sarofim Passion for the Arts Award.

The award is presented annually to the graduating senior who, regardless of major, has demonstrated throughout his or her entire undergraduate career at Southwestern an unusual passion for the arts. It was established in 2008 in honor of Fayez Sarofim, a Houston investment advisor and philanthropist for whom the Sarofim School of Fine Arts at Southwestern is named. Recipients are selected by the dean of the Sarofim School of Fine Arts from nominations submitted by members of the fine arts faculty and receive a cash prize to be used in any manner they choose to further their artistic goals.

The award was presented March 5 at Southwestern’s annual Honors Convocation.

Kreczmer plays percussion in the Southwestern Wind Ensemble and in the Collegiate Percussive Arts Society. He also has been a member of the Alma Thomas Theatre technical crew. 

“Justin is the perfect candidate for this award since he exemplifies what it means to be a liberal arts student with a passion for the arts,” said Paul Gaffney, dean of the Sarofim School of Fine Arts.

Kreczmer said he never thinks of music or his work at the Fine Arts Center as a job or class, but as a pastime that he really loves. “Art has always been a big part of my life because I appreciate music and all the pleasure it brings,” he said. “I like creating new sounds and beats and just playing for the fun of it.”