The American Association of Community Theatre has honored a Cal Poly Pomona professor with an award for her efforts in community theatre.

Associate Communication Professor Mary Kay Switzer has received the organization’s Special Recognition Award for her work with A Repertory Theatre, a group based in Banning. Switzer founded the community theatre company, which puts on stage plays as fundraisers. She directs and often writes the plays herself, which are performed at the Highland Springs Resort in Cherry Valley. Proceeds from the plays have gone to a variety of charities, including the Inland Empire Make-A-Wish Foundation and Wounded Warriors.

“I was honored and pleased to receive this award,” Switzer says. “We have done this for over 10 years and feel very good about helping others while developing creative efforts. It has been wonderful to work with volunteers who want to give back to society.”