Tribute to Loretta “Lucky” (Wilson) Brenner and mentor Stanley Harrison
WLU alumna Loretta “Lucky” Brenner (née Wilson) played many roles in her life— social worker, teacher, actor, director, wife, mother, and grandmother.
Lucky graduated from West Liberty in 1965 and the following year married Bill Brenner. Lucky began her career as an English and art teacher, then went on to earn her Master of Social Work at Case-Western Reserve and spent the rest of her career as a social work professional in the Washington, D.C. area. Thanks to her lifelong mentor, Stanley Harrison, former Theatre Director at West Liberty (from 1962-1979), Lucky maintained her involvement with theatre as a member of the Chevy Chase Players.
At West Liberty, Lucky was a member of the Hilltop Players and performed in numerous plays directed by Stan, including the musical, Oklahoma, the role of Ensign Pamela Whitmore in South Pacific (April 1964), and the
leading role of Anne Sullivan in The Miracle Worker (November 1963). Stan and Lucky stayed in touch and met in New York City every few years, the last time in 2012, to see a production of Richard III, a play very familiar to both as Lucky played the role of Margaret, widow of King Edward VI, in the Hilltop Players production of Richard III in November 1964 under Stan’s tutelage.
Whether acting on the stage, working in a clinic, or spending time with family and friends, Lucky affected countless lives for the better. Lucky’s husband Bill wished to continue her positive impact through an extremely generous gift of $10,000 directed to West Liberty University’s Theatre Department in her memory and in honor of her mentor Stanley Harrison. West Liberty thanks Bill for his generosity and for sharing Lucky’s heartwarming story and the profound influence of her mentor, Stanley Harrison.