It's remarkable to realize that Cheray and Luther Hodges have been in Chapel Hill for less than five years. In this very short time, the Hodges gave distinguished themselves as civic, social, and philanthropic leaders in the area.

Cheray serves as a member of the National Advisory Board for the Carolina Performng Arts as well as a trustee for the NC Museum of Art. As the co-chair of the grand Monet Gala at the museum last year, Cheray was largely responsible for it's tremendous success. A gifted interior designer, Cheray has also lent her considerable talents to the renovation of the interiors at the historic Fearrington Inn and the City Club in Washington, DC.

Luther Hodges, son of the famed NC governor of the same name, is a graduate of both UNC-Chapel Hill and Harvard. A former chairman of the board for North Carolina National Bank (now Bank of America), he has served on the UNC Board of Governors and on the Carolina Board of Visitors. A manager of two investment partnerships, Luther also serve as Undersecretary of the US Department of Commerce (1979) and the first Deputy Secretary of Commerce (1980).

With a belief in the importance of both private enterprise and public service, the couple has made many major gifts to UNC including the Luther H. Hodges' Lectureship in Cardiovascular Surgery; the Luther H. Hodges, Jr. Scholar in Business Ethics (to accompany the Luther H. Hodges Distinguished Professorship in Business Ethics established 30 years ago); the Luther H. Hodges' Series on Business, Society and the State with the UNC Press; the School of Government's Knapp-Sanders lobby named for the governor; and the Hodges Portico benefiting Memorial Hall.

Sophiticated and enthusiastic theatre-goers, the Hodges have proven to be marvelous ambassadors for guiding influence with great vision, inimitable style, and enviable organizational abilities. Frequent travelers, this busy couple always makes sure that they have a table at the PlayMakers Ball, the theatre's most important annual fundraising event, and regularly offers their beautiful home for receptions in support of the company.

On behalf of everyone at PlayMakers, we heartily thank both Cheray and Luther Hodges for their commitment to us as well as their commitment to Chapel Hill.