In this special episode of Govs on the Go: The Legacy Series, we sit down with two giants of the APSU arts community—Drs. George and Sharon Mabry. With a combined legacy spanning more than 80 years, this remarkable couple helped shape not only the Department of Music at Austin Peay but also the cultural landscape of Clarksville.

George, a celebrated choral director and composer, joined APSU in 1970 and later became the inaugural director of the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts (CECA). Sharon, an internationally recognized performer, professor of music education and voice, and longtime contributor to the NATS Journal of Singing, retired in 2022 as the longest-serving employee in University history. Together, they mentored generations of students and brought world-class performances to the region.

From their early days at Florida State University to the renaming of APSU’s concert hall in their honor, the Mabrys’ story is one of partnership, passion, and purpose.

In this episode of Govs on the Go: The Legacy Series, we sit down with Dr. Dewey Browder, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and former chair of APSU’s Department of History and Philosophy. With a military career spanning over 30 years, Dr. Browder’s service took him from Vietnam to NATO strategy meetings, earning him numerous accolades, including the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit.After transitioning to academia, Dr. Browder joined APSU in 1992, where he spent 21 years educating and mentoring students. He developed APSU’s graduate degree in Military History and a study-abroad program focused on the Holocaust. An accomplished historian and author, his research has provided invaluable insight into American and European history.

In the season premiere ofGovs on the Go: The Legacy Series, we sit down with Dr. Joe Filippo, whose impact on APSU’s then Department of Speech and Theatre spans decades. When he arrived in 1968 as department chair, the program had only three faculty members—and no theater building after a fire destroyed it. Thanks to his leadership and President Joe Morgan’s promise, APSU’s new theater opened in 1974, marking a turning point for the department’s growth.

By the time he stepped down as chair in 1985, Dr. Filippo had expanded the program to include radio, video, journalism, public relations, and interpersonal communication. A prolific director, producer, and scholar, he has earned numerous accolades, including the APSU Distinguished Professor Award and the Suzanne B. Davis Lifetime Achievement Award in Theatre. Even in retirement, Dr. Filippo remains deeply involved in the arts and historical preservation in Clarksville.

Join us as we explore his legacy and the stories behind his transformative career.