A native of Tyler, Tex., Corse

earned the following four degrees from North Texas State University: his

bachelor of music in music education (1962), his master of music in music

theory (1963), his master of arts in English (1970), and his Ph.D in English

Renaissance (1972).

Corse entered academia as choir

director at Randolph High School, located on Texas' Randolph Air Force

Base (1963-1967). Next, he taught both choir and English at Bailey Junior

High, part of an Independent School District in Arlington, Tx. (1967-1969).

Just prior to teaching at Clayton State, Corse served as a Teaching Fellow,

instructing freshman English at his NTSU alma mater (1969-1972).

In Sept. 1972, Corse joined

the faculty of Clayton State (then Clayton Junior College) as a professor

of English. Now, in 2003 on the cusp of his retirement, Corse teaches

freshman English and the University's online theater appreciation course.

Though Corse will be remembered

for his teaching, his contributions to Clayton State Theater will be his

lasting legacy. For 31 theater seasons, Corse has been committed to both

student actors/actresses and aspiring playwrights. Time and time again,

Corse has opened the stage to premiere new works of theater, including

the musical "The Day it Rained Forever," by science fiction

author Ray Bradbury and composer William Whitefield, and the play "Your

Name in Bold," by Clayton State Biology Professor Dr. Greg Hampikian.

In total, Clayton State Theater has premiered 34 new works.

The last show Corse directed,

Christopher Durang's parody "For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls,"

part of the larger production "Short, Short, Really Short Redux,"

marked show number 216, and closing night marked the 1,009th performance

on the Clayton State stage under Corse's direction.

To keep the theater going strong

after his retirement, Corse has promised $200 to the best overall actor

and actress of each theater season, and a $1,000 prize each year for 10

years for playwriting. For more information on either of these cash awards,

call the Clayton State School of Arts and Sciences at 770-961-3420.

Corse enjoys composing music,

and has worked with former Clayton State student Brad Fairchild and local

playwright Andy Ditzler to compose pieces for the Spivey Educational Series.

Corse has also written a number of stage works including a three-act opera

"Frederick Hohenzollern," written in collaboration with Fairchild.

Corse's original poetry has

been read at Clayton State events including the Fall Frolics and Clayton

State Theater's "Love Cabaret." Corse's poem "Seven Goldfish"

can be read online at https://a-s.clayton.edu/poetryjam/poems/crse7.html>.

He is also credited with writing the University's alma mater, which is

still sung at Clayton State graduations today.

So will Corse continue to be

involved in Clayton State Theater?

"Retirement means to me

retirement," said Corse. "But if the new director has a project

that I would be interested in, I may be involved from time to time, but

for the moment I plan to travel and compose and write and cook."