Alumni Directory Project

George Robert DeLong
1953

After graduation from DePauw University, Dr. DeLong pursued a degree in medicine from Harvard Medical School where he graduated cum laude. Since graduation he has published many articles, made numerous presentations, completed major research projects, received several grants, and been involved in clinical activity in the area of neurology. His academic appointments have included Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Duke University Medical School.

Dr. DeLong has been a consultant Neurologist in Ecuador, Zaire, People's Republic of China, where he served at the medical colleges of Tianjin, Guiyang, Chengdu, Sian and Lanzhou, and Xinjiang Province.

Dr. DeLong is a member of numerous medical and neurological societies, and also works with various groups concerned with Iodine Deficiency Disorder, Children with Disabilities, and is a board member of the Epilepsy Association of North Carolina.

He is currently the chief of the Division of Pediatric Neurology at Duke University.

Brian P. Lamb
1959

After graduating from Purdue University, Mr. Lamb joined the Navy. His tour included White House duty and a stint in the Pentagon public affairs office. In 1967, he came home to Lafayette and the local television station. Washington beckoned, however, and he soon returned to the nations capital. There, he worked as a freelance reporter for UPI Audio, a Senate press secretary and a White House telecommunications policy staffer. In 1974, he began publishing a bi-weekly newsletter called The Media Report. He also covered communications issues as Washington bureau chief for CableVision magazine.

Mr. Lamb helped establish C-SPAN, the Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, and has served as the company's chief executive officer since its beginnings.

Benita Landis O'Connell
1977

After graduation from Purdue University, Benita has been associated with L.S. Ayres & Co. in Indianapolis, Sanger Harris in Dallas; Batus Retail Group in New York; Hartmarx Specialty Stores, Inc. in Chicago; Talbots in New York, New York, and the Timberland Company in Hampton, New Hampshire.

Benita has traveled extensively to Asia and Europe for research and selection of manufacturing facilities. She has been involved in product development of men's and women's apparel and accessories. She is actively involved in planning and implementing of effective strategies for development, merchandising, production, training and selling.

Benita is currently Director of Men's Apparel at the Timberland Company in Hampton, New Hampshire.

James K. Risk III
1959

In 1962, Mr. Risk joined the family business, Kirby Risk Supply Co., a wholesale distributor of electrical equipment and supplies. Since he became President in 1962, the company has grown from one business location in Lafayette to 30 business units in 21 communities.

He is active in his industry trade associations, serving on national boards and committees. He is also very involved in the community and state, serving as a board member and officer of many organizations including the local Chamber of Commerce, the State Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement, United Way, and Greater Lafayette Community Foundation.

Mr. Risk serves on the board of directors of several prominent corporations in Indiana. He is a member of the Purdue Research Foundation, the Purdue University President's Council, and the Advisory Board of the Purdue Center for Economic Education.

He was a recipient of Indiana's 1992 Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Mary Keller Ade
1926

After graduation from Indiana University, Dr. Ade pursued a degree in medicine from Indiana University where she graduated cum laude. She was the assistant director of Fletcher Sanitorium in Indianapolis before returning to Lafayette in 1939, when she opened a medical practice with her husband. Dr. Ade remained active in medicine, retiring in 1987. During her career she delivered 3305 babies.

She was active in medical organizations, serving on state and local boards. She was also very involved in the community, serving as a board member and officer of many organizations, including her church, the Tippecanoe County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Pan-American Medical Women's Alliance, the Nu Sigma Phi medical sorority, the A.O.A. medical honorary, Altrusa International, and the Wesley Foundation Board. She is also a life member of Indiana University Alumni Association.

She received the 1962 Woman of the Year Award, sponsored by Business and Professional Women.

Paul L. Bergren
1967

After graduating from Purdue University, Paul joined Exxon as an engineer. In 1977, he joined Ford Motor Company as a senior financial analyst. In 1980, he joined Ingersoll-Rand Company as Director of Budgeting and Analysis at its world headquarters in New Jersey. He was promoted to controller of the company's Centrifugal Compressor Division in Kentucky in 1982. He was appointed to vice-president and general manager of the division in 1989. In 1992, Paul was promoted to president of Ingersoll-Rand's Air Compressor Group and was also elected a vice-president of the Ingersoll-Rand Company.

Recognizing Paul's accomplishments on behalf of the Air Compressor Group in the world market place, the company appointed him president of Ingersoll-Rand Europe, Inc. in 1994, in addition to his positions as company vice-president and group president. Currently, Mr. Bergren is responsible for corporate staff activities, management of the Air Compressor Group's worldwide operations, and leadership of the company's overall operations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

James F. Riehle
1948

After graduation from Purdue with a degree in economics, Mr. Riehle served in the United States Navy for four years, including 3 1/2 years aboard the Battleship Wisconsin during the Korean War.

After the war, he entered the field of politics, where he served as 6th District councilman for four years before being elected in November 1971 as the mayor of Lafayette.

Mr. Riehle has served as president of the Indiana North Central Mayors Roundtable, as the governor's appointee on the 77 Fund Advisory Board, as as a delegate of the Indiana Democratic Convention. In addition, he has been a member of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns Executive Committee, the Indiana Labor-Management Committee for Police and Fire, and the Community Development Committee of the United States Conference of Mayors.

Mr. Riehle was mayor of Lafayette from 1971 until 1996, serving more terms than any other previously elected mayor.

Robert V. Rohrman
1952

After graduation, Mr. Rohrman served two years in the army before returning to his hometown of Lafayette. He began his career in the automobile business working for a local Ford dealer for seven years before opening his own used car dealership in 1962. In 1969, he obtained his first new car franchise, Toyota. Today he is the owner and operator of the Bob Rohrman Automobile Dealerships, consisting of 23 new car franchises with sixteen separate dealerships in nine different market areas in Indiana and Illinois. He also owns his own advertising and training companies.

Mr. Rohrman represents his industry by serving on various stat and national boards. He actively supports community organizations in all the market areas of his business. In addition, he has established a foundation to help fund many charitable causes.

He was a finalist for the 1991 Indiana Entrepreneur of the Year.

George H. DeVault
1925

After graduation, Mr. DeVault joined the staff at Tippecanoe Loan and Trust until 1930. Upon leaving the bank he entered the grocery business with his father where he worked until he served as mayor of Lafayette from 1945-1948. In 1949, he joined Egyptian Lacquer Manufacturing where he served the company in various positions including those of Director and President.

Mr. DeVault served the community for over 60 years in many administrative positions including the YWCA, Junior Achievement, school, library and church boards, Chamber of Commerce and President of Lafayette Development Commission. He was named Sagamore of the Wabash and was awarded Marquis de Lafayette at the age of 86.

Kristena A. LaMar
1966

After graduation with distinction from Purdue University in 1970, Ms. LaMar entered the University of Michigan Law School and received her degree in 1973.

Ms. LaMar has received numerous law honors and awards during the past ten years and several of her works have been published. She has been professionally involved in many law and judicial associations throughout her career. She has been a Circuit Court Judge in Multnomah County since 1984.

While in high school, Kristena was a member of the National Championship Speech Team in 1965; the IHSFA state champion, Girls Extemporaneous Speaker, 1966; First Place, Indiana, NFL Girls' Extemporaneous Speaking, 1965, 1966; and Fifth place in the nation in Girls' Extemporaneous Speaking, 1966.

Milton G. Leverenz
1918

After graduation from Purdue with a degree in Civil Engineering, Mr. Leverenz served in the armed forces and served on the Selective Service Board. He then taught in Indianapolis and Otterbein and served as Assistant City Engineer in Lafayette, before joining the staff as a math teacher at Jefferson High School.

He was an avid sports fan and participant. Milt was on the 1916 Jefferson Boys' Basketball State Champion team. During his tenure at Jefferson, he was a member of the "Milly, Hoppy, and Willie" cheerleaders, who delighted the students, faculty and staff at pep sessions. While at Purdue, he was a member of the first two Big Ten Championship Basketball teams.

Mr. Leverenz retired from the Lafayette School Corporation after forty years of teaching. He was honored by his students and peers with his induction into the Lafayette School Corporation Wall of Fame in 1982.

Betty Quaintance Musser
1937

After graduation, Mrs. Musser worked at the R.C.A. plant in Indianapolis. Betty returned to Lafayette and owned and operated a Nursing Home until 1963. Betty decided that she wanted more out of life and enrolled in Purdue University where she pursued a degree in Nursing. Betty worked as a floor nurse at Home Hospital until her retirement in 1981.

Betty was active in the Lafayette Doll Collectors' Club serving as President. She was also a long time volunteer for the Red Cross. Betty had the vision to form the Jefferson High School Alumni Association and the dedication to seeing it developed. She also initiated the Alumni newsletter. Upon her death, the Alumni Association recognized her efforts by establishing the Betty Q. Musser Scholarship Fund, which recognizes on senior each year with a monetary award for pursuing a degree in higher education.

Douglas A. Triplett
1961

After graduation from North Park College with a degree in Chemistry, Dr. Triplett pursued a degree in medicine from Indiana University where he graduated magna cum laude and earned several other outstanding student awards. After completing his Internship and residency in Pathology at Methodist and Ball Memorial Hospital respectively, he served as a major in the military and was chief of the Pathology Department in the Army Hospital.

Dr. Triplett has held numerous professional appointments to a variety of committees involving blood work and study at many levels. He has served on the Board of Directors and has been involved with countless professional medical organizations. Doug has published over 150 journal articles and abstracts and has been involved as the chapter writer, co-author, or author of 48 books.

He is currently the Assistant Dean and Professor of Pathology and Director of the Muncie Center for Medical Education of Indiana University School of Medicine. He also serves as the Vice President and Director of Medical Education, Director of Hematology, Director of Pathology Residency Program and Director of the Coagulations Laboratory at Ball Memorial Hospital.

William L. Wallace
1963

After graduation, Bill Wallace enlisted in the United States Air Force and became interested in martial arts. Bill graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Physical Education. While attending Ball State, Mr. Wallace entered and won three National Championships in Karate. In 1974 he was picked to be on the first World Championship team as a Middleweight Kickboxer. In September 1974, he became the Middleweight Kickboxing Champion of the World. Over the next six years, he defended the title twenty-three times and retired undefeated June 15, 1980. After his competitive days, Bill received his masters degree in Kinistheology and Physiology of Exercise from Memphis, where he then taught six years.

Mr. Wallace still trains in the Martial Arts traveling around the world performing seminars and workshops. He was elected to the Black Belt Hall of Fame three times and was "Man of the Year" once. He has published three books on karate and flexibility. He has appeared in fourteen films, working with Chuck Norris, John Belushi, Dan Ackroyd, Morgan Freeman and Elvis Presley. He has been active in raising funds for the United Way.

Dr. Ray Ehrensberger
1923

Born in Indianapolis, Ray Ehrensberger settled in Lafayette long enough to be a Jeff yell leader and pick up a circle of loyal "You-should-meet-Ehrens" fans. After graduation from Wabash College, Dr. Ehrensberger served the University of Maryland for 39 years as a professor, department head, dean, and as the first Chancellor of University College. Early in his career, he established programs for Pentagon personnel. That led to his directing the University of Maryland's program for American Military in Europe in the early '50's. As a result of the overseas initiative, which encompassed 24 foreign countries on four continents, he later oversaw one of the world's largest education programs - 70,000 students, including the home campus and other sites in Maryland. His efforts were so successful that he became the only civilian to receive the three highest awards bestowed on the military services: the Exceptional Service Award (1967), the Army Decoration for Distinguished Civilian Service (1972), and the Defense Medal of Distinguished Public Service (1975). His achievements have been cited by presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Ford.

Dr. Richard E. Gery
1930

After graduation from Indiana University, Dr. Gery pursued a degree in medicine from Indiana University. He became a fellow in the American College of Surgeons in 1943. Dr. Gery served in World War II as a medical-surgical officer with the rank of major. He was instrumental in initiating nursing scholarships. He was known as an understanding, patient and compassionate man. He was a recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash by the late Gov. Roger D. Branigan for his numerous contributions to society. For more than twenty years, he spent one day a week at hospitals in Rensselaer, Brook, Monticello, and Winamac. He contributed unselfishly through the years to his friends, neighbors, family and community with no thought of reward or personal acclaim.

Adam Kennedy
1940

In his early years Mr. Kennedy served as a farm hand, delivery boy, construction worker, waiter, theater usher, cashier, babysitter, undertaker's assistant, gardener, photographer's model, illustrator, art director for Esquire, designer of greeting cards, co-owner of a greeting card company, writer/performer of signing commercials, copywriter, die designer at ALCOA, janitor, sign painter and milkman. He graduated from DePauw University cum laude. He has written 20 novels including The Killing Season, The Domino Principle, The Domino Vendetta; he has written 10 screen plays, has appeared in numerous theater productions and films, and has appeared in over 300 television shows where he was the series lead on The Californians and The Doctors. He has worked with Otto Preminger, Paul Newman, Charles Bronson, Kirk Douglas, Vincent Price, Inger Stevens, and Jackie Coogan to name a few. He has had art exhibitions at several museums including the Chicago Art Institute, Galerie Crueze (Paris), New York World's Fair, Galerie Esther Robles (Los Angeles), Paris-New York-Kent Gallery one-man shows since 1987 and invited to have a one-man painting show at Santa Barbara Museum of Art. He has received the Mystery Writers Award, named outstanding American artist in Paris, was a guest star at the Cannes Film Festival, and chosen as a delegate to the International Writers Guild convention in New Zealand.

William L. Long
1945

At Jefferson High School, Bill Long earned 11 letters in football, basketball, track and baseball. While attending Purdue University, he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. After earning a degree in Pharmacy, Mr. Long had a distinguished career. He operated Bill Long Pharmacy in West Lafayette, and was active in local, state and national Pharmacy Associations. He served on the Lafayette City Council from 1964-71 and as President in 1970. Mr. Long was elected State Representative from 1973-1982, where he served as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee for six years and a member of the State Budget Committee for eight years. He was appointed Chairman of the State Board of Tax Commission from 1984-1989. He received the "Bowl of Hygiea," Outstanding Pharmacist in Indiana in 1972, the Hubert H. Humphrey Award from the American Pharmaceutical Association which is given to a pharmacist who has made major contributions in government and legislative service, the "Sagamore of the Wabash" by Governor Otis Bowen in 1980, Governor Robert Orr in 1984, and a special commendation from Governor Evan Bayh in 1989. Beside political office, Mr. Long has been involved in the Chamber of Commerce, Tecumseh Kiwanis Club, Elder of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Indiana State Council for Prison Fellowship and the Indiana Public Health Foundation, Inc.

Dr. Floyd D. Loop, MD
1954

After graduation from Purdue University, Floyd Loop pursued a degree in medicine from George Washington University. Upon completion of his residency, Dr. Loop became a member of the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, where he currently is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Governors. Dr. Loop is active in numerous medical organizations, serving on local, state, national and international boards. He consistently is listed as "Best Doctors in America" in U.S. News & World Report. Through his distinguished career he has received honorary memberships in the Peruvian College of Angiology, Chilean Society of Cardiology, Brazilian College of Cardiology, Philippines College of Cardiology, Cuban Medical Association, The Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, International Society of Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons (Japan) and the Brigham Surgical Alumni. he has received numerous meritorious service awards, some being from the United Negro College Fund, the MS Hope Award, Medical Alumni Achievement Award from George Washington University, and the Nightingale Award. He has over 340 publications to his credit.

Kathryn Evans Wolaver-Linden
1943

While in high school Kay became the first drum majorette and the first female in the marching band. The Booster received numerous state awards during her senior year when she served as Editor-in-Chief. After graduation from Purdue, Kay joined the faculty of the then new Tecumseh Junior High School, where she taught Social Studies, Spanish and English. In 1963 she accepted a position at Purdue University in the Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education. Dr. Wolaver became a full professor in 1976 in the Department of Psychology. She holds a Private Practice Certificate from the State of Indiana. She has been listed frequently in numerous bibliographical works including Who's Who of American Women, American Men and Women of Science, Who's Who in American Education, and International Scholar's Director. She received the prestigious Innovation in Helping Students Learn Award sponsored by the Purdue University Class of 1922. She has authored or co-authored five books, numerous papers, two computer programs, has received sixteen internal and external research grants, and has published 13 technical reports.

Charles Hamilton Ade, MD
1926

After graduation from Indiana University with a BS, Dr. Ade pursued a degree in medicine from Indiana University where he graduated cum laude. He was a specialist in Ear, Nose and Throat surgery in Lafayette from 1938-1979 and was the owner and builder of the Ade Medical Center.

C. H. Ade was a member of the Tippecanoe County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Ears, Nose and Throat, Home Hospital Board of Directors, and the State YMCA Board of Directors. He also actively served on the boards of the Boy Scouts, Harrison Trails, Otterbein Home (a church affiliated retirement home in Lebanon, Ohio), and as an officer and board member at Grace United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Masonic Organization including the Scottish Rite. He was recognized for his many contributions by receiving the Silver Beaver (Boy Scouts), Friend-in-Deed (Noon Optimists), Golden Deed (Lafayette Exchange Club), Kiwanis Legion of Honor, and the YMCA Service plaque. He also was a life member of the Indiana University Alumni Association.

Pedro P. Granadillo
1965

After graduation from Purdue University in 1970, Pedro joined Eli Lilly and Company, as a staff engineer. In 1971 he transferred to the international facilities planning organization and became a project engineer for Lilly Indiana de España, S.A., a Lilly affiliate in Spain, and in 1974 was named engineering manager. The following year he became project manager, responsible for building a new chemical facility in southern Spain, and was then named production director.

In 1980, Pedro was transferred to the London Branch of Lilly International as director of European production coordination. He became director of manufacturing operations for Eli Lilly and Company Limited, a Lilly affiliate in Basingstoke, England. In 1985, in addition to his responsibilities in Basingstoke, he assumed responsibilities for the Elizabeth Arden, Inc. (a former Lilly subsidiary), manufacturing operations for the United Kingdom and the coordination of Lilly production operations in Europe.

Pedro Granadillo returned to company headquarters in Indianapolis in 1986 when he was named director of materials planning. He became director of manufacturing strategy development in 1987 and was named executive director of production operations and manufacturing strategy development in 1989.

He is a former member of the dean's advisory council of the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University. Currently, he is a member of the boards of directors of the International School of Indiana, Park Tudor School, and Conner Prairie.

Richard V. Ebershoff
1932

After graduation from Purdue University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Richard V. Ebershoff joined his father at Lafayette Tent and Awning. The company specialized in commercial and residential awnings, and supplies tents to various functions in over thirty states. They were one of the suppliers of tents for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. They put together tents in various sizes from 12' X 12' to 100' X over 400'. Dick has been active in many organizations including the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Center, a Life member of the Elks, original member of the Purdue Downtown Gridiron Club, served as President of IIK (Regional Association of Canvas Manufacturers), and the John Purdue Club. He is an honorary member of the Reamers, the Gimlet Club and the P Men. He and President Hovde were the first two recipients of the coveted Diamond P presented by the John Purdue Club. He was honored at a banquet in 1969 by Purdue University and the Lafayette community for his dedication and service. His business adventure and devotion to sports was instrumental in his being on of the founders of the Indiana Pacers.

Dick has been instrumental in providing summer jobs for hundreds of young people, while they were students at Purdue University and local high schools. There are now four generations of Ebershoffs working at Lafayette Tent and Awning to carry on the work ethics and pride instilled by Dick.

John B. Wellman
1962

After graduation from Purdue University with BS and MS degrees in Physics, and an ME in Engineering Management from UCLA, John Wellman has played a leading role in the development of scientific instruments for NASA's missions, dating back to the successful Viking orbiters and landers that explored Mars in 1976. He has led the development of science experiments for both planetary exploration and earth remote sensing, including imaging systems and infrared insturmentation on the current Galileo mission to Jupiter and the forthcoming Cassini mission to Saturn and its moon Titan. He is the author of more than thirty technical papers on scientific instrumentation development.

John managed the development of the Mars Pathfinder science payload, including a solid-state stereoscopic camera with multispectral capability which returned approximately 20,000 images of the Martian surface and atmosphere, an alpha proton X-ray spectrometer for analysis of the elemental composition of Mars' soil and rocks, and meteorology experiment that monitors the local weather at the landing site. The rover explored the vicinity of the lander and analyzed the elementary composition of numerous soil and rock samples for about ninety days. He coordinated the efforts of more than one hundred scientists and engineers from institutions spanning the globe as they analyzed the mission data, planned scientific observations with Pathfinder's instruments and conducted the operations of the rover, Sojourner, on the planet's surface. The Mars Pathfinder experiment team included researchers from a number of US universities and institutions as well as foreign participants from Germany, Denmark and Russia.

Edward Elliott
1932

After graduation from Purdue University, Edward Elliott became a test engineer for General Electric. He devised unique methods and procedures for testing refrigeration equipment. As an engineer for Pressed Steel Tank Company in West Allis, Wisconsin, he established times and temperatures for proper heat treatment for pressure vessels to comply with ASME Codes and ICC regulations and became Chief of the Inspection Department. He also served as a Field Engineer for military products such as torpedo noses and afterbodies, sea mines, and oxygen cylinders. While working for Westvaco Chemical Company, he developed and produced a special nickel drum for shipping and storing liquid bromide, which received an Industrial Packaging Product of the Year award. During World War II, Ed was assigned to the 21st Air Force in the Marianas to make preparations for using new 12,000 and 24,000 pound bombs at the same Tinian airbase used by the Enola Gay for the atomic bomb missions. After serving in World War II, Ed returned to Pressed Steel Tank Company, where he served as manager of the PST Cleveland office. He often piloted an airplane for customer calls and for Purdue recruiting. In the late 1950's Ed joined the staff at Liquid Carbonie Corporation, which was the leading carbon dioxide producer in the United States. During the early 1960's while living in Lake Forest, Illinois, Ed joined the Haywood Publishing Company, which had its headquarters in Chicago and two printing plants in Lafayette. He became the publisher of Industrial Publishing and Consumer Packaging. And then in the mid 60's, Ed decided to start a new company, Omnibus, Inc., and served as President and sole stockholder.

Edward Elliott was instrumental in establishing the Purdue Alumni Club and served as its President. He has been active in the John Purdue Club and the President's Council since inception. He has been inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

Brent W. Miller, MD
1982

After graduation, where he was the salutatorian, Dr. Miller received his Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Microbiology from Stanford University, Palo Alto, California in 1986 and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri in 1990. He subsequently completed training in internal medicine at Barnes Hospital at Washington University and a postdoctoral fellowship in nephrology at Washington University. Effective July 1, 1998, he will join the faculty of the Renal Division in the Department of Internal Medicine at Washington University where his responsibilities will include teaching, patient care and research.

Brent has participated in extensive scientific research at Stanford University and Washington University. His work is published in the American Journal of Physiology, Transplantation, the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, Clinical Transplantation, the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology and the Journal of Clinical Investigation. As an undergraduate at Stanford, he received first prize in the Molecular Biology and Genetics Section at the West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference in 1986. Brent was the recipient of the Alexander Berg Award in Microbiology and Immunology from the Washington University School of Medicine in 1990. As a postdoctoral fellow, he was awarded a Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award from the National Institute of Health in 1998. Brent is a member of the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Nephrology, and the American Society of Transplant Physicians.

Joseph T. Bumbleburg
1954

After graduation from the University of Notre Dame (BA, 1958), Joseph Bumbleburg entered the Indiana University School of Law (JD, 1961). He entered the military in 1961 for three years active duty and then returned to practice law in Lafayette. Joe specializes in land use, development and local administrative law as the Senior Partner in Ball, Eggleston, Bumbleburg, McBride, Walkey and Stapleton, PC, Attorneys at Law. He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserve. He has served as Past President of the United Way of Greater Lafayette, the Community Foundation and the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Past National Governor of the American Red Cross and the recipient of the Harriman Award of Distinguished Volunteer Service from the American National Red Cross. Joe has been a member and Secretary of the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Merit Commission, a Deputy Election Board Member of Tippecanoe County, a member of the Department of Indiana American Legion Baseball Committee and has been appointed a member of the Supreme Court of Indiana Character and Fitness Committee and a State Trustee of Ivy Tech State College.

Richard W. Wien
1963

After graduation from Purdue University with a B.S. in Chemistry and Stanford University with a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, Richard W. Wien was a Sr. Research Chemist in the Color Photography Division and was a project leader for high speed video films. For his endeavors he received an Emmy in 1978. In 1978 he became a senior engineer in Motion Picture Development and was a key member of a team that received a technical OSCAR for Eastman color Motion Picture Films. From 1981-88 he has been the Project Leader in Color Negative Development as the designer of Vericolor III Professional film. This film remains as the industry standard and has had sales in excess of $1 billion. In 1988 he became the Product Quality Director of the Professional Photography Division and was responsible for the manufacturing quality and customer specifications of professional sensitized products (approximately $1.5 billion in sales). From 1994-95, Richard served as the Manager of the Color Reversal Systems Kodak Research and was responsible for fifty engineers and scientists developing new color reversal films and processes. Since 1995, he has been at the Eastman Kodak System Concepts Center and responsible for the identification and development of growth opportunities in Commercial and Business markets. He is instrumental in originating three concepts, which when commercialized, will generate over $200 million in incremental revenue. He formed a Research and Development Business Unit team that developed the process for identifying and managing the growth initiatives.

He is a member of the American Chemical Society, Greece Baptist Church,  Purdue Club of Rochester, Pittsford Central School Board, National Tour Speaker for American Chemical Society and American Institute of Chemical Engineers. His professional awards include the American Chemical Society, Hero of Chemistry; Public Service Medal, NASA-Johnson Space Center; Technical Emmy for development of High Speed Video News Film; and a member of the team that received a technical OSCAR.

Donald Ambler
1947

Donald Ambler began studying and playing the clarinet at Washington Elementary School. After high school graduation, he was accepted at Vandercook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois, a major step to achieving his dream: to become a member of a symphony orchestra. While at Vandercook, he played in the first clarinet section of the band for five years. He also performed with the Chicago Civic Orchestra, a training school for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the championship CYO Band of Chicago.

In addition to his studies, Ambler taught private lessons at several elementary and high schools in the Chicago area and continued that teaching for two years (1953-1955) after graduating. The pursuit of his dream took him to New York City, where he delivered groceries and worked as a doorman on Park Avenue to finance his way. While in New York City, Ambler formed a chamber orchestra that included the best young performers in the city. He helped organize, acted as a personnel manager for, and performed in the New York Orchestral Society from 1960-1962.

In April 1962, Ambler's dream was fulfilled when Maestro Saul Caston appointed him bass clarinetist with the Denver Symphony Orchestra. He played with the orchestra, now known as the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, for 30 years. During that time and seven years since leaving the orchestra, he has taught clarinet and bass clarinet lessons to students of all ages, some of whom have gone on to perform in such organizations as the U. S. Marine Band, the Boston Symphony, and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Ambler's current activities in music include playing bass clarinet with the Central City Opera and the Colorado Ballet Company, judging student music competitions, giving master classes, and making personal appearances in concerts with numerous bands and orchestras.

Douglas Mansfield
1967

After graduation from Purdue University in 1971 as an electrical engineer, Doug Mansfield joined Kirby Risk Corporation as the Service Manager for the Electric Motor Repair Division, which consisted of one branch in Lafayette with six employees. In 1982 he became Division Manager, overseeing the Electric Motor Division and the newly created Wiring Harness Division. He was promoted to the position of Director in 1987. In recognition of his accomplishments, he was promoted to Vice President of Manufacturing for Kirby Risk Corporation and Executive Vice President of Kirby Risk Service Center in 1997. Currently Mansfield is responsible for seven plants with over 400 employees and is an officer of the Kirby Risk Corporation.

Mansfield is an active community member. He has been a member of the Board of Directory for Greater Lafayette Progress and the YMCA. He was Industry Chairman of the United Way campaign in 1995, and in 1997 he was chairman of the United Way Campaign which raised close to four million dollars for charity. He also chaired the TAP (Technical Assistance Program) Council for the Engineering School at Purdue University. Currently, he is a member of the President's Council at Purdue, the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, and the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce.

Mansfield has done many things for Lafayette Jefferson High School. He has been President of the Golden Broncho Club, a member of the Board of Directors of the Booster Club, and a member of the Community Advisory Council. In addition, he has been a member of the School-to-Work Committee, working closely with the high school. He also taught Applied Economics through Junior Achievement at the high school for many years.

Henry Rosenthal
1936

After graduation from Jefferson High School, Henry Rosenthal entered Purdue University to study electrical engineering, the course of study which at that time would lead him to the realization of his childhood dream: to become a radio broadcaster. However, one year later, Rosenthal had to leave college to take over the family's clothing store business after his father suffered a stroke. In October 1942, he was drafted into the infantry and sent to Europe, where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. While in the service, he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and received the Purple Heart and three battle stars. In January 1946, Rosenthal returned to the clothing business, but he hadn't given up his dream of becoming a radio broadcaster. He left retailing for a broadcasting career as a TV time salesman with WFAM-TV in 1955. Two years later, Rosenthal and three business partners purchased WFAM, Inc., and Rosenthal was named General Manager of television station WFAM and radio station WASK. The corporate name was changed to Lafayette Broadcasting, Inc. In 1959, he became the sole owner of Lafayette Broadcasting, Inc. In 1961, he sold WFAM-TV and put WASK-FM on the air. His childhood dream had been achieved. From 1961-1983, he was the play-by-play announcer for all Purdue football and basketball broadcasts. Rosenthal remained General Manager of Lafayette Broadcasting until he sold the AM and FM stations in 1983. Currently he is a business consultant in the areas of sales and promotions.

Over the years, Rosenthal has been involved in a variety of community groups and activities. He has served as a board member for the Lafayette School Corporation, Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Home Hospital and Indiana Broadcasters Association.

Since 1996 he has provided yearly radio broadcasts of Senior PGA Tour events in Indianapolis and Naples, Florida. Currently he is the Promotions Director for Coyote Crossing Golf Course.

Charles G. Ross
1940

Charles G. Ross has truly distinguished himself in times of war and peace. In recognition for his distinguished service during three wars, Charles G. Ross was inducted into the United States Army Ranger Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Georgia, in June 1997. During World War II Charles was promoted from private in a rifle company to platoon sergeant to rifle company commander. In 1944 he was wounded in action during the Bougainville Campaign, and in 1945 he participated in the invasion of Leyte Island where he was wounded a second time. During the Korean War, he served three tours and commanded four different companies in combat; the Eighth Army Ranger Company, the First Airborne Ranger Company, the Second Division Reconnaissance Company, and Company "A" in the 31st Infantry Regiment. During the Vietnam War, Charles served two combat tours, twelve months of which were spent with Special Forces (i.e. Green Beret). Charles was awarded the Triple Combat Infantry Badge for infantry combat in all three wars. Among the numerous awards he has received are the Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal (Oak Leaf Cluster), and the Purple Heart. He retired from the military after thirty years of service to his country.

Although Ross attended Purdue and Indiana Universities after graduating, World War II interrupted his education. However, in 1964, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland. He continued his studies, earning a Masters of Education from Western Maryland College in 1969, and an MBA from the University of Georgia in 1975.

In addition to his outstanding military achievements, Charles has also been honored for his active role in the community. In 1997 he was presented with both the Distinguished Public Service Award by the Kiwanis Club of Rockdale County, Georgia, and the Humanitarian Award for "distinguished and unselfish service to the community" by the Rockdale County Board of Realtors.

Tom Rush
1958

Tom Rush graduated from Indiana University in 1962 and obtained his M.B.A. from Indiana in 1963.

He began his career with Cummins Engine in 1963, and in 1967 he joined National Homes. In 1973, starting from scratch, he founded Jonathan Homes which became one of Indiana's largest home builders. In 1986, he sold Jonathan Homes to a Florida bank but continued as President. In 1991, he formed Trinity Homes and served as President until 1997, when he sold his stock in a leveraged buy out arrangement with Crossman Communities.

In 1996 he received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

In 1998 he formed a partnership that currently owns several golf courses in the Indianapolis area. Currently, he serves as managing partner of Rush Investments, which involves investing in various entrepreneurial activities.

He serves as chairman of the Indianapolis Colts Advisory Council and is on the Board of Union Planters Bank, Artistic Media Partners and Junior Achievement. He is a member of St. Luke's Church, Rotary Club, Children's Museum, and St. Mary's Child Care.

Dennis C. Blind
1951

Denny graduated with distinction from Purdue University in 1955 and received a Master's degree in 1959 in educational administration. He completed additional administrative graduate studies at Purdue and Butler Universities. He spent forty-two years in public education as a teacher, coach, and administrator. He taught and coached in Battle Creek, Michigan; Attica, Warsaw and Shelbyville, Indiana. He spent four years as an administrator in Shelbyville. He served 27 years as administrator in the Lafayette School Corporation, the last eighteen as principal of Jefferson High School.

Blind participated in basketball and baseball while attending Jefferson High School and Purdue University. In high school, he was selected to the Indiana All-Star Basketball Team. He also holds the distinction of being the first 1000 point scorer in Purdue basketball history. In his junior and senior years at Purdue, he was named to the Small All-American Basketball Team for players under 6 feet tall. Upon graduation, he was the recipient of the Big Ten Award for Scholarship and Athletic Prowess. In 1976, he was named to the Indiana Silver Anniversary basketball team, and in March 1992 he was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

Under Blind's leadership as principal, Jefferson High School was recognized by the United States Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 1985 and 1983. In 1993, Jefferson High School was one of only thirty schools to have received this distinction twice. In 1991, he was named Indiana Secondary Principal of the Year. Upon his retirement in 1997, he was named a Sagamore of the Wabash by Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon.

Through the years, Blind has been involved in a variety of community groups and activities. He has served as a board member for the Lynn Treece Boys' Club, United Way, Family Services, St. Elizabeth Hospital Board, and as chairman of the Public Service division for the United Way campaign. In addition, he has been active in a number of professional educational organizations throughout the state of Indiana.

Since his retirement, Denny continues to be active in education by conducting beginning teacher workshops in effective instruction. As an educator he maintains a simple philosophy-"do what is right" and "always do what is best for the student."

Billie J. Holmes
1941

After graduating from Jefferson High School, Holmes was in the United States Army Air Corps tram 1942-1945. He was a Bomber Pilot- B24 Liberator and a member of the 93rd Bomber Group, 330th Bomber Squadron. He flew 35 missions over Germany during World War II. He was a member of the Indiana National Guard from 1945 - 1976 and attained the rank of Colonel prior to his retirement in 1976.

Holmes graduated from Purdue University in 1949 with a degree in education. He earned his Masters Degree from Purdue University in 1955. From 1949-1969 he was a coach, teacher, principal and superintendent.

Holmes has been involved in veterans' affairs at the national, state, district and county levels his entire life. He has served as a Deputy Director of Selective Service - Indiana; as Director of Guardianship Division for the Veterans' Administration Regional Office - Indianapolis, Indiana. He has also served as Deputy Director of Indiana Department of Veterans' Affairs, retiring in 1988 to become State Commander of the American Legion; from 1989 to 1998 he served as the Hendricks County Veterans' Affairs Service Officer.

In addition to serving his country honorably during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, Holmes has been involved in state and community activities. He has volunteered his time with the American Legion, the Disabled Veterans of America, the Red Cross, Lions Club, the USO, and the Masonic Lodge.

Dr. Sally Downham Miller
1961

Dr. Sally Downham Miller received her bachelor's degree from Purdue University. Dr. Miller began a thirty year career in public education. She completed graduate work at the University of Massachusetts and earned a Ph.D. at Purdue. She has been a teacher, Director of Special Education, and building principal. She has served in the Department of Education for the states of Massachusetts and New Jersey, on the graduate faculties at Regent University in Virginia and Cleveland State University and as an adjunct faculty member at City College of New York. She helped develop the monitoring procedures for the Massachusetts Department of Special Education and the staff development for the Holocaust Studies curriculum for the state of New Jersey.

Dr. Miller has become best known as a nationally recognized expert on grief and loss. She has published the popular books Mourning & Dancing and Mourning & Dancing for Schools. She has appeared often in the national media and regularly consults with and speaks to groups across the country.

Charles R. Vaughan
1948

In 1948, Vaughan was a starting forward on the Jefferson High School state championship basketball team. He was also voted the most valuable track man.

Vaughan graduated with a business degree from Indiana University in 1952 and was a member of the Indiana University basketball team in 1949 and 1950. After serving two years in the Army, Vaughan attended Valparaiso University and received a law degree in 1957. He was chosen as the 1989 Distinguished Alumnus of Valparaiso University.

Vaughan began practicing law with his father, a renowned trial lawyer. Vaughan served as Tippecanoe County Attorney in 1965 and was the Area Plan Commission's first attorney. He was President of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association in 1966. A veteran of over 200 civil jury trials, Vaughan is best known for his successful representation of Ryan White, a Kokomo teen barred from attending school because he had contracted AIDS. That trial set a national precedent to prevent discrimination against persons with AIDS. The trial was the subject of a TV movie. In 1987, Vaughan was chosen one of only ten lawyers to receive the Lifetime Achievement A ward of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association. He is consistently listed in the Best Lawyers in America.

For many years Vaughan raised and trained Arabian horses for reining. His horse Tykosha won the Arabian National Title of the U.S. and Canada. For the past twenty years he has bred and shown quarter horses. The last two years his horses have won the Reining Futurity at the Quarter Horse Congress.

Jewell Young
1933

After graduating from Jefferson High School, Young attended Purdue. While at Purdue he lettered in basketball in 1936, 1937 and 1938. He also lettered in baseball in 1936. He was Purdue's scoring leader in 1937 and 1938. In 1938 he established a Big Ten scoring record of 184 points and was voted Most Outstanding Big Ten Athlete. Young led Purdue to Big Ten Basketball Championships in 1936 and 1938. Young is the only former. Jefferson High School student and basketball player to be selected to an All-American Basketball Team. Young was selected to Purdue's Centennial All-Time Men's Basketball Team in 1997.

Upon graduation from Purdue University in 1938, Young accepted an assistant coaching position as Southport High School in Indianapolis. At the same time he played professional ball for six years. His career at Southport was interrupted when he entered the Navy as an Ensign in 1943. After his discharge in 1946 as a Lt. Jr. Grade, Young was made head basketball coach at Southport High School. In 1998 he was inducted into the Southport High School Wall of Fame.

Young's additional honors include his induction into the Helms Foundation Hall of Fame and into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

Senator Ronnie J. Alting
1975

Senator Alting graduated from Jefferson High School in 1975, where he was actively involved in a variety of sports and extracurricular activities, including serving as president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, vice-president of the A Cappella Choir, three year varsity football player, and a member of the 1974 state finalist basketball team. He received the mental attitude award and was named most valuable player.

Alting attended Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois, where he served as vice-president of the freshman class. He graduated from Purdue University, earning a B.A. degree.

Alting founded Patout's Restaurant in New Orleans, Louisiana. Patout's quickly became a nationally acclaimed restaurant, receiving a "Five- Star" rating by ZAGET Research Industries. Patout's Restaurant has been featured in such magazines as Food and Wine and Gourmet. The restaurant was also filmed for the television show, Escapes for the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. When he returned to Lafayette, Alting opened another Patout's Restaurant.

Currently, Alting is a key account specialist for Tipmont REMC He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Lafayette Community Development Corporation, Meals on Wheels, Bright National Bank, Tippecanoe Arts Federations, and the Liberal Arts Alumni Association of Purdue University.

Alting is a member of the First Free Methodist Church, Sons of the American Legion Post, and F.O.E. No. 347. He is also an Officer/Captain in the Indian National Guard Reserve. Alting is a former member of the Board of Directors for the Lafayette Urban Enterprise Association, greater New Orleans YMCA, and the Big Brothers-Big Sisters Association. He was also president of the Lafayette City Council, after serving
two years as a member.

State Senator Ronnie J. Alting was elected to the Senate in 1998, representing District 22. He serves the Senate as chair of the Energy Subcommittee of the Energy and Economic Development Committee. He also serves as ranking member of the Education Committee, Health and Provider Services and its Provider Services Subcommittee, and a member of the Public Policy Committee and its Public Safety Subcomittee.

Cheryl A. Conley
1964

Cheryl Cornwell Conley graduated from Jefferson High School in 1964 and attended Indiana University, graduating with a degree in special education. She received her Master's Degree from IU at Indianapolis. She took courses in the seven fields of special education as well as in school administration. For two years she worked in the Indianapolis Public Schools in the field of behavior disorders.

After she worked in the Sunnyridge Children's Home in Wheaton, Illinois, she was hired by a large cooperative for special education, eventually becoming Assistant Executive Director, a position she held for several years.

In 1995 she was hired as Executive Director for SASED Northern Division. One of her responsibilities is to represent the Cooperative in court, defending the type of help or schooling a child is receiving.

She is executive director of the North DuPage Special Education Cooperative; treasurer, Glen Ellyn Cable Foundation; past chairperson, Board of Fellowship, First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn; member, DuPage County Staff Development Council, Illinois Administrators of Special Education, Attorney General Ryan's Special Education Committee, Delta Kappa Gamma, Phi Delta Kappa; and recipient of a YMCA Outstanding Woman Leader of DuPage County Award.

Sarah Kimbrell Hicks
1968

Sarah Kimbrell Hicks graduated from Jefferson High School in 1968. She is currently employed by Bank One, Indiana, NA. as Vice President, State Community Reinvestment Act Officer.

Hicks is a graduate of Leadership Lafayette. She has been an active community volunteer with the United Way, Hanna Community Center, Junior Achievement, City of Lafayette Neighborhood Action Committee and the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. In 1998, she was Speaker of the House for the Chamber's "Third House" and currently serves on the Chamber's Board of Directors.

In 1987 Sara Hicks was appointed to a vacant position on the Lafayette School Corporation Board of School Trustees. She was elected to the position in 1990 and reelected in 1994 and 1998. She has served as President of the Board of School Trustees in 1990, 1991, and 1999. Hicks served as a regional director of the Indiana School Boards Association 1996-1999. In 1995 Dr. Suellen Reed, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, appointed her to the State of Indiana Advisory Committee for Textbook Adoption. She was re-appointed to a second term in 1999.

James D. Sprankle
1952

Upon graduation from Jefferson High School, Mr. Sprankle signed a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers and saw the country as a teenager dressed in Dodger blue, pitching his way across rural America. Altogether Sprankle spent eleven years in the Dodgers' and Cincinnati Reds' organizations. Following his career in baseball, he was a public relations banking executive and self-employed businessman.

Sprankle began carving about 31 years ago and has become one of the best known wildfowl wood sculptors in the country. His carvings have earned him considerable recognition throughout Europe and North America.

In 1984 he was featured along with eight other carvers in the book How to Carve Waterfowl. In 1985, Waterfowl Carving with J. D. Sprankle. a book about techniques and philosophies, was published

Sprankle has produced a unique line of wood-product molded study birds, recreating the actual size and weight of his original woodcarvings. The demand for these study birds is such that they are now shipped throughout the United States, Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom. He has participated in many international exhibits, and his works are also exhibited by numerous private collectors.

In 1992 Sprankle was among the first eight original inductees admitted into the Waterfowl Festival's National Hall of Fame. He has been a three-time Carver of the Year for the Festival. In 1998 he was requested by the Department of Interior to be one of the five judges of the 1998 Federal Duck Stamp Competition held in Washington, D. C. He was recently named President of the Board of Trustees of the J. N Ding "Darling" Society.

Harold V. Wallace
1932

Mr. Wallace graduated from Jefferson High School in 1932, received his Bachelor's Degree from Central Normal College in 1939, and attained his Master's Degree from Ball State University in 1954. While at Jeff he lettered in football, basketball and golf He was a member of Jeff's 1932 state championship golf team.

After high school; he played for the Lafayette Lambs AA U basketball team and was a member of the 1934 state AAU championship team. He also won the Lafayette City Golf Tournament in this period He attended Central Normal on an athletic scholarship. While there, he lettered in football, basketball, and track. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1939.

Wallace was a teacher, coach, golf pro, athletic director, and assistant principal. He was a teacher and coach at Hicksville, Ohio, from 1939 until 1944. At Portland High School he was athletic director as well as coach of basketball, football, and baseball unto 1956. In 1948 his basketball team went to the "elite eight" of the Indiana state high school basketball tournament. While in Portland, he was also the golf pro at the Portland County Club and managed the city swimming pool for several years.

Wallace returned to Lafayette in 1956 as a teacher at Jeff. In 1957 he moved to Tecumseh Junior High School, where he was a teacher, athletic director and coach of basketball and football. He was a teacher and coach for 37 years, retiring in 1976 as assistant principal of Tippecanoe Junior High School.

Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. 
1973

Dr. Wolfelt received a B.S. in Sociology from Ball State University in 1977; MA. in Counseling Psychology from Ball State in 1978, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Ball State in 1982.

Wolfelt is an internationally known author, educator, and psychologist. He is the Director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition and is on the faculty at the University of Colorado Medical School's Department of Family Medicine.

He has received numerous awards for his leadership in the field of death education and counseling. Dr. Wolfelt was the 1994 recipient of the Association of Death Education and Counseling's Death Educator Award. In addition, he was honored as a distinguished educational leader when he received the 1996 Outstanding Alumni Award from Ball State University.

Dr. Wolfelt is the author of numerous best-selling books and presents 100 workshops each year at hospitals, hospices, universities, and various community agencies. A frequently used resource for the media, Dr. Wolfelt has appeared on such shows as the Oprah Winfrey Show. The Larry King Show and the NBC Today Show.

Karen Casey-Elliott
1957

While a student at Jeff, Elliott's activities were in the Card Section, the Latin Club, and Yearbook. While at Purdue University she was active in Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. Elliott was chosen as A Woman of Distinction by Alpha Xi Delta, her college sorority in 2000.

Elliott graduated from Purdue in 1962. Elliot( received an MA. in American Studies from the University of Minnesota. She received a Ph.D. in American Studies in 1979. Her teaching career began in Lafayette where she taught for three years at Oakland Elementary School. In 1973, she eared an MA. in American Studies from the University of Minnesota and a Ph.D. in 1979. While completing her degree she taught many courses at the University of Minnesota.

Prior to the publication of her first book in 1982, she was a managing editor at the Hazelden Foundation in Center City, Minnesota. She eventually became the Publisher and Vice President of Hazelden Educational Materials. Elliott's first book, Each Day A New Beginning. sold more than 3 million copies and was followed by 14 more books. Her life story and 15 books have been featured in the St. Paul, MN Pioneer Press, the Naples (Florida) Daily News, and The Quill, (her college sorority quarterly magazine). Her books have appeared on the cover of Publishers Weekly. More than 20 titles are available in foreign languages throughout the world.

She has done radio interviews for stations throughout the United States and Canada and has been featured twice on NBC affiliate KARE in Minneapolis. She has been a keynote speaker for many conferences dealing with Addictions and Recovery over the years and has done many workshops and retreats for people seeking guidance in recovery issues.

James P. Fields
1974

Fields was a student athlete at Jefferson High School and lettered four years. Earning all state honors in baseball, he was a member of the State Championship baseball team in 1974. He also lettered three years in basketball and was a member of the 1974 Final Four team. Jim served as President of the Fellowship of Christian Athlete and Vice President of his senior class. He was elected to the 25 year Silver Anniversary Team for the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Jim's father is Spider Fields, who is an Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame member and former head baseball coach at Lafayette Jefferson High School.

Fields serves as Vice President of Business Development for Menlo Worldwide Logistics, a CNF Company, where he is responsible for managing all global sales and marketing activities for the logistics company. He also serves as an elected officer of Menlo Worldwide, holding that position the past three years. Before his promotion to Vice President in May 1996, Fields served as Director of Sales and Marketing for Menlo. During his 20 year tenure with CNF, formerly Consolidated Freightways, Inc. Fields has held various operations and sales positions within the company.

Prior to joining Consolidated Freightways, Fields taught high school business for three years at Muncie Central and Southside High Schools respectively. He has earned a bachelor's degree in business education, and a master's degree in secondary education and supervision from Ball State University. After graduating from Ball State University he had a short but successful tenure as basketball coach at Muncie Central for three years, working with Bill Harrell.

Jim has kept very active in athletics, mainly as a coach of basketball and baseball teams. He has served as head coach and general manager of the North Oakland Reds, an advanced-play travel baseball club for the past 5 years. His team finished 8th in the USSSA World Series this past year. Most recently he has been a guest radio analyst for WLBC Muncie, for the Ball State University basketball games played at Eastern and Central Michigan.

Joseph N. Heath, Jr.
1953

Joe attended Xavier University on a basketball scholarship. Due to an athletic injury his basketball career was shortened and he transferred to Purdue University where he received his bachelor's degree in 1957 and his master's degree in 1959. He completed additional administrative graduate studies at Purdue. Joe spent over forty years in public education as a teacher, coach, and administrator. He taught and coached at Francisville, Winamac and Elwood before returning home to Jefferson High School.

While in high school, Joe participated in basketball and baseball. He has the distinction of being the only individual in the state of Indiana to serve as a student/athlete, coach, teacher, director of athletics and principal at the same school. In 1953 Joe was the recipient of the Exchange Club's Sportsmanship Awards, and in March 1993 he was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

Through the years, Joe had been involved in a variety of groups at the local, state and national level. He has served as a board member of the YMCA, Junior Achievement, United Way and Police Merit Board locally. At the state level, Joe has served as a board member, vice president and president of the Indiana State Coaches' Association, Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame as a member, vice president, executive vice president and president. Nationally, he served as a board member, president-elect and president of the National Federation of Interscholastic Coaches Association. His colleagues have recognized him for his service by selecting him as the recipient of The District Service Award, IBCA 1992; District 1 Athletic Director of the Year 1992-93; Indiana Athletic Administrator of the Year 1993; Indiana Association of Educational Office Professionals Administrator of the Year 1997; Midwest Athletic Director of the Year 1994; National Federation Citation Award Winner 1995 and the Charles Maas Distinguished Service Award 2001.

Joe probably is best known for his love of young people, generosity, honesty, sports and devotion to his family and friends. As an educator he maintained a simple philosophy that you follow the rules, teach by example and reflect the highest standards of professionalism.

Norman R. Hertzer, MD
1960

Dr. Hertzer was salutatorian of the class of 1960. While at Jeff, he was a member of the NCC champion varsity tennis team, played saxophone and oboe in the band and orchestra, and was president of his class and the Student Council. He also was the student manager of the varsity basketball team and was the manager of the Indiana All Star basketball team in 1960 and 1961.

Dr. Hertzer received his undergraduate and medical degrees with distinction from Indiana University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha scholastic honor societies. He trained in General Surgery and in Vascular Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and after serving in the Us. Army Medical Corps at Fort Hood, Texas, he was appointed to the Cleveland Clinic staff in the Department of Vascular Surgery in 1976. He later became the Chairman of this department, a position he held for many years.

Dr. Hertzer is the author of nearly 200 scientific journal articles and textbook chapters in the field of Vascular Surgery. He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Vascular Surgery and has been president of the Midwestern Vascular Surgical Society and the national Society for Vascular Surgery. He is a member of many other professional organizations and has been selected as an honorary member of the New England Society for Vascular Surgery, the Southern Society for Vascular Surgery, and the vascular section of the Australian/Asian College of Surgeons. In the year 2000, Indiana University presented him with its Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Jack A. King
1954

While a student at Jefferson High School, Jack King was one of a few who at that time participated in both sports and music. In 1953, he was a member of the Lafayette American Legion Post 11 state championship baseball team. His high school music career was highlighted by four consecutive first place finishes in the state ensemble drum contests.

King graduated from Indiana University in 1958 with a B. S. in Business Finance. After earning his J. D. in law from I U in 1961, King returned to Lafayette and was a partner in the firm of Ball, Eggleston, King & Bumbleburg from 1961 until 1970. At the age of 33, King was appointed by Governor Edgar Whitcomb as the first judge of Superior Court No.2 of Tippecanoe County. He was the youngest trial court judge in Indiana at that time and was twice re-elected without opposition. During his tenure on the bench, Judge King was appointed as a Special Judge, both by the Indiana Supreme Court and
the Court of Appeals.

In 1978, he moved to Scottsdale, Arizona where he became Vice President and General Counsel for several insurance companies transacting business nationally. Over the next twenty years, King was responsible for the resolution of several cases having national prominence. Some of the most notable of which were the "People's Temple" mass suicides and murders in Jonestown, Guyana; multiple class actions in several states against the Denny's restaurant chain, emanating from alleged racial discrimination; and one of the first lawsuits brought by the tobacco industry against ABC- TV resulting from media reports on nicotine addiction. An interesting and diverse career in the law has taken King into state and federal courts in Indiana, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, and California.

In 1998, King was appointed Executive Director of the Arizona Insurance Guaranty Funds. These entities, which are divisions of the Arizona Department of Insurance, provide assistance to consumers by paying claims on behalf of insolvent insurance companies. As Executive Director, King had oversight responsibility for significant litigation involving the Guaranty Funds and personally resolved major lawsuits in which millions of dollars were at stake. After inheriting an organization embroiled in controversy, King brought about major reform, ethics, economy, and stability, for which he was commended upon his retirement from this position in October 2001

Dr. John Postlethwait
1962

While at Jefferson High School Dr. Postlethwait served as president of the Junior Class, president of the NFL., and president of Hi- Y in his junior and senior year. He was a Boys State delegate. Dr. Postlethwait received his B. A. in Biology in 1966 from Purdue University and completed his Pre-doctorate in Developmental Genetics from the University of California, Irvine. In 1970 he received his Ph.D. in Developmental Genetics from Case Western Reserve University. His Post-doctorate was in Molecular Genetics at Harvard University.

Dr. Postlethwait is Professor of Biology at the University of Oregon, where he teaches General Biology for non majors and Genetics and Evolution, the introductory course for biology majors. His research on the genetic mechanisms of embryonic development is supported by the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association. For three one-year periods, Dr. Postlethwait conducted research supported by Fulbright grants at the Institut fur Molekular Biologie in Salzburg, Austria, the Laboratorie de Genetique Moleculaire des Eucaryotes in Strasburg, France, and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in Oxford, England. In 2000 Dr. Postlethwait received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Purdue University. Dr. Postlethwait has been involved in numerous publications over the years.

A recipient of the Ersted Distinguished Teaching Award, Dr. Postlethwait encourages active participation of undergraduates in research and includes them as coauthors on publications. Currently Dr. Postlethwait is participating in the federally funded University of Oregon Workshop Biology program for innovative teaching of biology.

Jane Brock-Wilson
1974

Jane graduated among the top ten students of her Jefferson High School class. While at Jefferson Jane was an active member of the Student Association Council, the Honor Society, A Cappella Choir and the Jefferson Guard. She was also on the Cheerleaders Advisory Board, Block Section and Sunshine Society Board. Jane also lettered in volleyball and was selected to participate in Girls State.

Jane graduated with High Distinction from Purdue University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management. While at Purdue Jane was involved in Beta Gamma Sigma (National Business Honorary), Mortar Board, Iron Key (Presidential Advisory Board), and Omicron Delta Kappa (National Leadership Honorary). In addition, she was President, Rush-Chairman and Scholarship Chairman of Kappa Kappa Gamma; Communications Director and a representative to the national convention of the Association for Women Students; a working member of the University Senate Financial Aids Committee. While at Purdue, her awards included Outstanding Management Senior Award 1978; Outstanding Senior Woman – honorable mention, 1978; and Outstanding Young Woman of America Award, 1979, 1980. Jane presently sits on the Dean’s Advisory Board of the Krannert School, Purdue University’s School of Business.

Jane worked for Raytheon Data Systems from 1978 to 1981 as a production and Material Control Supervisor, before heading to Harvard Business School receiving her Masters in Business Administration in 1983. While at Harvard, Jane was an elected representative to the Woman’s Student Association.

Upon graduating from Harvard, Jane joined and eventually became partner at Bain and Company – one of the world’s leading management consulting firms specializing in the development and implementation of corporate strategy. Jane has worked with her colleagues at Bain to improve the market value of a number of high-profile U.S. and international companies.

Since 1991, Jane has served as Managing Director of Berkshire Partners, a private equity firm managing approximately $3.5 billion of equity capital. Berkshire has consistently performed within the top quartile of all firms managing similar funds.

Her leadership and dedication are evident in her community and philanthropic work. As co-chair of Boston’s United Way 2001 Women’s Leadership Breakfast, Jane led the United Way to its largest and most successful fundraising event in their annual campaign. She was inspired by the organization’s program Today’s Girls…Tomorrow’s Leaders – an initiative that provides resources to help young girls develop the skills, self-esteem, and courage they will need to succeed. Jane has also participated in bringing more diversity to the United Way’s Private Equity Breakfast committee and has actively solicited others to join her as an Alexis de Tocqueville Society member. Jane is also on the Board of Trustees for the Windsor School.

Thomas Kent
1972

Thomas graduated from Jefferson High School in 1972, where he participated in track and football, earning All-conference designation in both sports in his junior and senior years. He also earned State Honorable Mention designation in football in 1971 and 1972. In 1971 Thomas won NCC and sectional long jump titles and was state runner-up in long jump. He was voted Jefferson High School’s MVP in football and track in 1971. In 1972, Thomas was the Indiana state long jump champion. He was awarded a full scholarship in track to the University of New Mexico.

White attending the University of New Mexico, Thomas earned admittance to two Academic Honor Fraternities, Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Honor Fraternity and Vigilantes Sophomore Honor Fraternity. He was also selected to Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges two years in a row, 1974-75 and 1975-76. As a member of the sprint medley relay track team, he broke the world record at the Pocatello, Idaho Relays in 1974. Thomas earned a Bachelors degree in Political Science and the Student Achievement award for outstanding achievements and contributions to the University of New Mexico in 1976. In December 1978, he earned a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from the University of New Mexico.

Thomas’s career in business began with a position as Account Manager with DunHill of Chicago where he was responsible for sourcing professional candidates to fill vacancies in corporations throughout Chicago. He then joined Kemper Financial Services as a Corporate Recruiter and focused on hiring systems and accounting professionals into the company. Thomas joined Allstate Insurance Company at their corporate headquarters in a Professional Recruiter capacity. He was promoted up to the position of Human Resources Manager.

Later, Thomas joined Carrington & Carrington, Ltd, a retained executive search firm, as their Senior Director, where he earned an award for being their top salesman. Thomas returned to the corporate arena when he joined Knightsbridge Solutions, a data management consulting firm, as their Director of Employee Relations & Recruiting. He was then recruited to be Director of Human Resources for ThinkFast Consulting, Inc., a business intelligence consulting firm. He was promoted to Vice President responsible for managing and directing activities in six regions throughout the United States.

Since college, Thomas has been active in various community organizations and social activities and has received special recognition. Some of these include the following: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Man of the Year Award for Community Service; Board of Directors for Hispanic Alliance for Economic Growth; MERC (Minority Economic Resource Council); Career Job Fair; Keynote speaker at the Alpha Phi Alpha Save Our Youth Day; President of the Thornridge Community Block Club; and one of Ebony magazine most eligible bachelor’s in the United States.

Michael Lynn Brooks
1961

While at Jefferson High School Mike was active in extra-curricular activities. He was a member of A Cappella choir, Booster staff for two years, Sophomore and Junior Hi-Y, and the N.F.L. He also participated in the Red & Black Revue.

Mike attended Indiana State and received his B.S. in Communications in 1965. In 1963 and 1964, he was in Who’s Who Among Students in Universities and Colleges. While a student at Indiana State, Mike was involved with radio and television and journalism. In 1965 he was editor of the student newspaper and was named Outstanding Senior Journalist. He was active in the Memorial Union Board, Press Club, and Social Affairs. He also served as a residence hall resident assistant, treasurer of Alpha Phi Gamma, and Fine Arts Festival co-chairman for convocations. Sigma Delta Chi named him Man of the Year in 1965.

As a journalist, Mike worked at the Indianapolis News as a special assignment reporter from 1965 to 1967 and at the South Bend Tribune. Michael was co-owner of Clay Recreation Enterprises – merging with Clay City News in 1971. Eventually he and his partners created CRE, Inc., an advertising company in Indianapolis, and he became its president in 1972. In 1976 Mike was in Outstanding Young Men of America, and he was recognized by Who’s Who in the Midwest and Who’s Who in Finance & Industry. In 1987 as an ambassador to South America for the Partners of America Organization, Mike taught the principles of establishing a small business.

Community service was an important aspect of Mike’s life. From 1968-1972 he was director of the Vigo County Community Blood Program. He was also director of the Clay City Mental Association in 1972-1973. He also served on the board of directors of the Kathryn Hamilton Mental Health Center in Terre Haute. Before his death he established the Michael L. Brooks/CRE Charitable Trust for the benefit of education in Indiana and for the arts in Indianapolis. The trust has provided donations to Lafayette’s Long Center and Civic Theater

Donald D. Masse’, M.D., A.C.O.G.
1952

Don attended Lincoln Grade School and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1952. At Jeff, Don was a member of the marching band for four rears, Student Council, and Radio Club. He lettered in track and football and was secretary-treasurer of his senior class.

Don attended Purdue University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-medicine in 1956. After serving three years in the US Army in the Medical Corp 1957-1960, Don entered Marquette University School of Medicine in 1960, receiving his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1964. Don went to Detroit, Michigan and served as Medical Intern at Receiving Hospital in 1964-65 and Resident in Obstetrics & Gynecology 1965-1969, serving as Chief Resident in 1969.

Don joined a renowned group of prestigious black physicians in 1969 that became known as “Vincent, Combs, Masse’, and Shade, MD, PC”. Don because a fellow in The American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology in 1970 and certified as a Diplomat, American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology in 1971. Don was appointed to the faculty at Wayne State University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology as Adjunct Instructor on completion of his residency and subsequently was appointed Clinical Assistant Professor working with students, interns, and residents. Don’s hospital staff appointments included seven hospitals, and he served as Chairman, Department of OB/GYN at three, Kirwood General Hospital, Southwest Detroit Hospital, and St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital. Don actively participated in several medical societies: Wayne County Medical Society (member medical service board), Michigan State Medical Society, Detroit Medical Society (officer and board member), Wolverine State Medical Society and National Medical Association. Don took time to speak to junior high students on Career Day and to classes at Oakland Community College and Detroit College of Business. Don served on the Board of Directors of Catholic Social Services of Wayne County. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Phi Chi Medical Fraternity, NAACP, DMC Men’s Guild, and several local organizations.

Although he is retired from practice, Don spends 12-16 hours per week instructing residents in training.

Ralph E. Mayerstein
1958

While Ralph “Buffy” was at Jefferson he was involved in the Spanish Club, president for two year; freshman class treasurer; Performance Club; Hi-Y and Hi-Y Council; debate team; Key Club, vice president two years; J-Club three years; golf 4 years; Junior Achievement president two years, and Boys State. Buffy was one of Jeff’s outstanding high school golfers. His golf career was highlighted by qualifying for the USGA Junior Amateur in 1955, 1957 and 1958.

He started his college career at Northwestern University by qualifying for the 1958 U.S. Amateur. He was fortunate enough to represent Northwestern University as an individual when Purdue hosted the NCAA men’s golf championships. During his tenure at Northwestern, he was a member of the varsity golf team and very active in campus affairs. The Northwestern yearbook in 1962 was in part dedicated to Buffy for his contributions to the school as an undergraduate.

Following graduation from college he spent two years on active duty with the U.S. Navy as an officer on a destroyer that operated in the Mediterranean. After his Naval tour he entered the insurance business with the local agency Mayerstein-Burnell Company and has been a partner since the mid 1960s. As a local insurance agent in Lafayette for over 35 years, Mayerstein has always been involved in his profession as well as in community affairs. He obtained the CPCU professional designation in 1971 and was elected President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana in 1981. In 1975, the Independent Insurance Agent of America selected Mayerstein to be the tournament chairman of their national junior golf tournament. Under Buffy’s leadership and direction, the event is now the largest junior golf tournament in the world involving over 6500 qualifiers each year. He continues to serve as its tournament chairman. In addition, he is a past president of the local chapter of the American Red Cross and has since been involved as an officer of the Chamber of Commerce as well as a director of the Lafayette Bank and Trust Company. He has served four terms as a director of the Greater Lafayette Community Foundation as well as being on the advisory board of Lafayette Neighborhood Housing Association.

Mayerstein’s long-time interest in golf led to his involvement in golf administration. In 1975, Mayerstein began his career with the Indiana Golf Association as a district director, and he served as its president in 1998 & 1999. Also, under the leadership of Mayerstein and his wife, the Indiana Junior Golf Association (now a part of the IGA) became one of the premier junior programs in the U.S. In 1998, both Mayerstein, a past recipient of the Clifford Wagoner Award from the IGA, and his wife were inducted into the Indiana Golf Hall of Fame. In addition, he is active in the United States Golf Association and Western Golf Association. Mayerstein is one of the most well-respected rules official with the USGA and has been a member of the USGA Junior Amateur committee for over 25 years. In 2001, the USGA recognized Buffy by awarding him the prestigious Grainger Award for his volunteer efforts – the first player participant in the committee structure to win the award. His involvement with the Western Golf Association started in 1981 when Mayerstein was selected to be the local house chairman for the Purdue chapter of the Evans Scholars. In 1990, the WGA selected Buffy as it's chairman of the Western Open Golf Tournament – a position he held until 1997. In 2002, Mayerstein was elected as President of the Western Golf Association and was reelected for a second term in 2003. He is the first president in the association’s 103 year existence to be from the state of Indiana.

John B. Scheumann
1967

While at Jefferson High School, John participated in football, wrestling, golf, Key Club and served as “J” Club president. During his senior year, John was co-captain of Jeff’s undefeated football team, selected first team All-State and defensive tackle, and played in the first Indiana high school All-Star Football game.

After graduation, John accepted a football scholarship from Ball State University where he played defensive tackle. Graduating with a degree in accounting, he joined National Homes Corporation, John’s first affiliation with the housing industry, which would provide his career opportunity.

As co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Crossmann Communities, Inc. John guided his company’s remarkable growth from small local beginnings to a position of national prominence in the home building field. In 2001, Crossmann became America’s 12th largest home builder. Crossmann was acquired by Beazer Homes in 2002. Crossmann was recognized by Forbes magazine for three consecutive years as one of the “Best 200 Small Companies in America.”

While CEO of Crossmann Communities, John saw to it that corporate philanthropy was a major part of the company’s focus. Crossmann and its affiliated tradesmen and suppliers sponsored 15 Habitat homes, and Crossman partnered with Habitat for Humanity in the development of Bristol Park Subdivision in Lafayette. The company also funded scholarship programs at many central Indiana school corporations as well as participated in the 21st Century Scholars program.

In addition to directing these corporate philanthropic efforts, John has made many personal contributions within his local and collegiate communities. Programs to assist the homeless and those in need of educational assistance and affordable housing have benefited from John’s generosity. John has also established the Scheumann Family Foundation, which will continue to provide charitable contributions for generations to come.

John is actively involved in this community through his service as director of the Golden Bronchos, Lafayette Parks Foundation, Family Services Asset Management, Trinity Church, and Habitat for Humanity in Indiana. John is a recipient of the Ball State University Distinguished Alumni Award and the Ball State College of Business Award of Distinction.

Catherine Weaver Beauchamp
1922

Catherine graduated from Jefferson High School in 1922. While at Jefferson she participated in the senior play, girls basketball, Booster and Glee Club. She was in a journalism class that originated the Booster (school’s first newspaper).

Catherine graduated from Purdue University in 1926 and was named outstanding senior woman. Then she taught home economics for years in Warsaw, Indiana. During World War II Catherine married and moved to Washington, D.C., where both she and her husband had government careers. Catherine wrote radio scripts for the Dept. of Agriculture and became editor of the “Extension Service Review” that went to the Cooperative Extension offices throughout the United States. Catherine also edited the ” Industrial Hygiene Newsletter” for the U.S. Department of Health.

In 1957 Catherine moved with her husband to Kissimmee, Florida where he founded Orange Gardens, a retirement community of more than 200 homes. Catherine became a real estate broker. In 1960 with other members of the community, Catherine founded the Footlight Theater Guild, where she performed as an actress. With the support of the community Catherine organized and was a primary fund-raiser for the Osceola County Art and Culture Center that featured art, history, drama and music. Its theater is named for Catherine W. Beauchamp. Catherine also wrote and published a local history, Look What’s Happened in Osceola County and a book of family memoirs, Family Ties and Tales.

In 1974 Catherine was named First Lady of Osceola County. At the age of 86, after her husband’s death, Catherine organized a support group in Kissimmee for the deaf and hearing impaired. Throughout her life Catherine traveled widely including a round-the-world tour in 1968 and an archaeological dig in Israel in 1986. Catherine enjoyed entertaining and was an outstanding hostess.

James M. Middleton
1963

While at Jeff, Jim was a member of the National Forensic League, Student Council, HI-Y, all school play, basketball, intra-mural league, speech/debate team, special chemistry, physics, and math programs.

Jim received a B.S. degree in management from Indiana University and obtained an MBA at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He finished four Air Force service schools, including the Air War College and Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Residence. Jim retired in 1988 from the U.S. Air Force as a Colonel after serving 21 years including two tours at the Pentagon. He served in a variety of positions including the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force; Commandant Officer Training School; executive officer to a major air command; commander/ director of Plans and Technology; and Manpower programmer/planner.

Jim joined United Services Automobile Association in 1988 which serves military forces worldwide, retirees and families. Jim has held several key positions in the company and in March 2000 was promoted to president and chief executive officer of the Life Insurance Company. Jim also serves on various industry committees which include Life Office Management Association, American Council of Life Insurers, Life Insurance Marketing Association and the Texas Association of Life & Health Insurers. He is involved in the San Antonio Fine Arts & Symphony, United Way Campaign, Holiday Cheer Program, Junior Achievement fund raising event, Read to Children, and Habitat for Humanity Home Building Program.

Jim is former president of the Comal Independent School District board of Trustees and former president of the high school athletic booster club. He has coached soccer, baseball and basketball.

John Robert “Bob” Miller
1940

While at Jeff Bob was a member of the basketball and track teams and student manager of the football team. He was also active in student organizations. Upon graduation from Jeff he attended the University of Arizona on a scholarship for 3 years. In 1942 Bob enlisted in the United States Marines Officer Training Program and later transferred to the United State Naval Aviation Program where he graduated as pilot with the rank of Ensign and was later promoted to Lt. JG.

After military service he enrolled at Purdue where he earned a BS and MS in Education. He taught at Jefferson High School teaching aeronautics and health. He was also an assistant coach in basketball, football and track and supervised the boys intramural sports program.

In 1948 Bob moved to Delphi High School and was their first varsity football coach, varsity basketball coach and an assistant in track. He taught health, physical education and general science and was the athletic director. Bob then moved to LaPorte and taught biology and continued coaching. Bob then moved through the chairs of counseling, assistant principal, associate superintendent and superintendent. He retired in 1985 after 33 years in the school corporation.

Bob was active in professional and community affairs. He was elected to the executive committee, North Central Division, of the Indiana State Teachers Association; was on the executive committee of the Indiana Association of Junior-Senior High School Principals and was president of the Indiana Public School Study Council. Bob was a charter member of the Purdue North Central Chancellor’s Advisory Board.

Bob was named to the Indiana Silver Anniversary All-State basketball team. He later was named to the Arizona Hall of Fame Silver Anniversary Team, which included both high school and college players.

Delinda “Denny” Fee
1969
 

Delinda was in the last graduating class from the “Old” Jefferson High School. While at Jeff, Delinda was active as a Junior Varsity and Varsity cheerleader, served on the Cheerleader’s Advisory Board, volunteered as an office scout, was a member of the Broncho Broadcasters Club, the Sunshine Society and Student Council.

After graduation from Jefferson High School Delinda attended Lafayette Beauty Academy. Upon receiving her beauty license she worked at the Beauty Walk Hair Salon and later taught cosmetology at Lafayette Beauty Academy.

Delinda’s work in daycare began over 30 years ago. She says that providing daycare for children is her passion in life. Denny hopes that each and every child that has been a part of her life has something positive to remember from their stay at “Denny’s Daycare.” Denny believes that children have a way of always bringing a smile to your face and that makes for a great day on the job! Denny also feels blessed to have nurtured hundreds of children passing thru her door and has watched many of them grow into adulthood.

Richard Stewart Halstead
1965

Upon graduation from Jefferson High School, Richard attended The Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, graduating in 1970. He also attended Purdue University and the Ontario College of Art. He apprenticed at the Stevens, Biondi and Diccico Advertising Studio, and with the Portrait Artist Gustav Likan, in Chicago.

Richard taught fine art at the Ontario College of Art and later at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. In 1983 he founded the Halstead Portrait and Figure Workshop at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center in Evanston, Il., and devoted his energies entirely to portraiture work and teaching figurative art.

Richard has exhibited in galleries and group exhibitions in Canada and the U.S., such as; The Oil Painters of America (as a signature member), the Washington Society of Portrait Artists at the US Capitol Building, Ontario Society of Artists, The Portrait Institute in New York, the Montreal Museum of Art, the Ontario Museum of Art, the Ditmar Gallery of Northwestern University, Portraits Inc. (New York), the Chicago Civic Center, and the State of Illinois Building.

His paintings are in the collections of Yale University, The National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Purdue University, University of Melbourne (Australia), Baird and Warner, University of Toronto, Ryerson Steel/Inland Steel, Dartmouth College, University of Kentucky, and Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Some of Richard’s portrait subjects include Governor of Illinois George Ryan, Roman Catholic Prelate and Archbishop of Chicago Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, President of Field Enterprises and Chairman of the Boards of the Chicago Art Institute and Terra Museum of Art Marshal Field V, and Purdue University President Dr. Steven Beering.

Richard H. Crosser
1956

While a student at Jefferson High School, Dick was Sophomore Class Vice President and Junior Class Vice President. He was involved in Hi-Y, Student Council, J-Club, Red and Black Revue, Cross Country, Wrestling, Baseball, Purdue Legislature, and Boy’s State.

Dick attended Indiana University through a scholarship/internship program sponsored by National Homes Corp., then the nation’s largest homebuilder. After graduating in 1960, he spent 15 years with National Homes, leaving as Vice President/Regional Manager.

In 1975, he joined Deluxe Homes as Vice President and General Manager. Seven years later he bought controlling interest and grew a homebuilding company becoming Indiana’s largest builder. In 1993, the company went public emerging as Crossmann Communities, Inc. In 2001 Crossmann became America’s 12th largest homebuilder. Crossmann then merged with Beazer Homes.

While President of Crossmann Communities, he was involved with Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, Make a Wish Foundation, American Heart Association and initiated the Crossmann Communities Scholarship Fund, now called the Richard H. Crosser Memorial Fund.

Dick was committed to giving back to communities where he worked, built homes, and lived. That commitment to giving back is continued by his family through the Crosser Family Foundation, established in 2002. The foundation has contributed to St. Vincent’s Children Hospital in Indianapolis, Boys and Girls Club in Noblesville, Third Phase in Noblesville thru the Legacy Fund and Jefferson High School’s “Build the Future” program.

Rick Vanderwielen
1974 

While Rick Vanderwielen was at Jefferson High School, he was a three year member of the Jefferson basketball team which advanced to the state finals in 1974.  He was also the first high jumper at Jeff to use the “Fosberry Flop” and go over the bar backwards.  He won the county high jump championship three years in a row.  At Purdue, he walked onto the basketball team, but a knee injury ended his career, as a freshman.  Rick graduated from Purdue University  in 1978, earning a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology. In 1985, Rick founded Indiana Automation which later became integrator.com.  Integrator designed and supplied computerized security systems for prisons, jails, and detention centers nationwide.  He sold the company in 2000 and retired at age 44.  He was also the founder of Flexware Integration and a past owner of a resort.  Today, he’s the owner of HomeTown Television Corporation, channel 19 in Noblesville, Indiana. Rick’s companies have won the Indiana Blue Chip award and the IU Kelly School of Business Growth 100 award.  He was named as one of the 100 Most Influential Businessmen in Indiana in 1997.  He’s been recognized as the Noblesville’s Person of the Year in 2003 and in 2004 was named Business Person of the Year.  In April of 2005, he was named  a Distinguished Alumni of Purdue University. 

Judy L. Johnson
1974 

While attending Jefferson High School, Judy Johnson was student council president and active in the French Club, Sunshine Society, National Forensic League, Cheerleader Advisory Council, Broncho Broadcasters, and   National Honor Society.  She graduated fifth out of 550 graduates in the class of 1974.  Majoring in business and minoring in marketing, Judy graduated from Indiana University with highest distinction,  earning a 3.98 grade point average.  Judy has logged 10,000 hours as a volunteer at Home Hospital and St. Elizabeth Medical Center – a milestone that few volunteers ever meet.  This is especially meaningful because Judy was permanently disabled in a 1980 car wreck that caused such critical head injuries that doctors expected her to die or spend her life in a nursing home. She spent seven months in a coma and did not talk for another six months. But Judy has always had a positive attitude and never gave up.   She learned to talk, walk, read, and write again and now lives independently, even doing her own shopping.  Judy has also volunteered at Jefferson High School, Westminster Village, Covenant Presbyterian Church and at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. She also attends meetings of “Reach Out,” a support group that she helped establish for those who have suffered head injuries or strokes.  Being disabled has deepened Judy’s appreciation for life and has changed her perspective.  She savors the little things and is filled with joy and gratitude.  Serving others brings Judy much happiness and satisfaction every day of her life.  

Richard Felix
1956 

Dr.Richard Felix graduated from Jeff in 1956 and received his baccalaureate degree from Olivet Nazarene University in 1963.  His educational career began as a fifth grade teacher in Beecher, Illinois, and was later an elementary school principal in Wilmington, Illinois. Following his master’s degree in education  from George Williams College, (now Aurora University), he began his higher education career as Athletic Director and head basketball coach at Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana.  His 1969 team made the national NCCAA tournament. Following the completion of this PhD in 1974 from the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Felix began his administrative journey as Vice President at Trevecca Nazarene College in Nashville, Tennessee, and then Director of Major Gifts at the University of Florida in Gainesville.  In 1978, he received a post doctoral certificate from Harvard University’s prestigious Institute for Educational Management. In 1979, he was selected  President of Friends University in Wichita, Kansas.  During his eleven year tenure of leadership, student enrollment doubled, endowments increased, and  graduate as well as adult degree completion programs were introduced.   In 1990, Dr. Felix was elected President of Azusa Pacific University in California.  Under his decade of leadership until his retirement in 2000, seven new buildings were constructed, doctoral programs were begun in six disciplines, masters programs expanded, and undergraduate enrollment doubled.  In the February 2, 2004, issue of Time magazine, his leadership was cited in enabling APU to become a “flagship university” among Christian colleges and universities in America.   After his retirement and the death of this beloved wife, Vivian, he wrote a book about her remarkable faith as she battled breast cancer.  The School of Dying Graces  was released in 2004 by Tyndale House. Dr. Felix is the recipient of numerous honors and awards.  He has received honorary doctorates from Bethel College (Indiana), Belhaven College (Mississippi), and Hanyang University in Seoul, South Korea.  His alma mater, Olivet, selected him Alumnus of the Year in 1998.    He was presented an Olympic Torch by Park Se Jik, President of the 1988 Olympic Games. 

Raymond C. Ewry
1890 

Raymond C. Ewry is considered by some to be the greatest athlete ever of the modern Olympics, having won ten gold medals during four different Olympic competitions.  As a child, Ray was stricken with polio and told he would never walk again. Not only did Ray walk, he became a tremendously gifted athlete in several jumping events in track. Ray completed high school in 1890 and enrolled in Purdue University’s Mechanical Engineering school.  He joined the track and field team winning several running and jumping events.  He was the first Big Ten athlete to win an Olympic championship, representing the United States in the Paris Olympiad in 1900.  He became a sensation,winning three gold medals in jumping events.  He set a world record in the standinghigh jump leaping five feet five inches.  The French newspapers labeled him “The Human Frog.” In 1904 at the St. Louis Olympics, Ewry added three more gold medals to his collection.  He won two more gold medals at the 10th anniversary Olympics in Athens in 1906.  He set world records in the standing broad jump and standing long jump.  He won his last two gold medals at the London Olympiad in 1908.  During the years between Olympics, Ewry participated in AAU meets across the country, winning numerous national titles up to 1912 when he retired from competition. He continues to hold world records in some events because they have been dropped or changed in recent decades. Ewry received an engineering degree from Purdue University in 1894 and worked as a civil engineer for the Navy, helping design and build war ships.  He completed his career as the city engineer for New York City. Ray Ewry’s amazing athletic abilities have earned him numerous awards.  He has been inducted into the Olympic Athletic Hall of Fame and Purdue University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Amy K. Timmons Hayes M.D.
1987

Amy was Valedictorian of her senior class. While at Jefferson High School Amy was class vice-president and a Varsity Cheerleader. She was also in First Edition Show Choir during her junior and senior years. She was on the Principal’s Advisory Council her senior year and played Junior Varsity tennis her sophomore and junior years. Amy was a Junior Varsity cheerleader her sophomore year. She was on the Student Advisory Council and a member of the National Honor Society her sophomore, junior and senior years. During her junior year, Amy was a Hoosier Girls State delegate, Governor candidate, Girls Nation Senator, U.S. Treasurer, Tippecanoe County Junior Miss and Indiana ’s Junior Miss, 3 rd runner-up.

Amy graduated magna cum laude from DePauw University in 1991. She graduated from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in 1996. She did a residency in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Washington Medical Center in 1996-97. She did her residency at St. Vincent Hospital and Health Services in Indianapolis, Indiana in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology from 1997-2001. Amy is in private practice and is presently on staff at the Community Hospitals in Indianapolis , Indiana serving as Staff Obstetrician/Gynecologist.

Amy has received many honors and awards. She also has numerous medical publications and has worked with Dr. Kinney Hiett on analysis of genetic ultrasound and the detection of markers for autosomal trisomies. She is a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology where she is a Junior Fellow in practice. She has served on the Miss Indiana Organization, Miss Indianapolis steering committee and as a program judge.

Anthony M. Roswarski
1978

While at Jefferson High School , “Tony” was a J Club member and on the Varsity track and football teams for two years. He won the Stars in Football Award in his junior and senior years.

Tony attended Ball State majoring in criminal justice and corrections. In his junior year, he left Ball State to take a job with the Houston , Texas Police Department. He served two years as a patrol officer. He served on the Lafayette Police Department from 1983 until 2003. He served first as a patrol officer then was promoted to posts in the detective division, patrol sergeant, lieutenant and captain.

His former Boy Scouts law enforcement achievements included launching the D.A.R.E. program, serving as the tactical operations commander and helping schools implement security measures and crisis preparedness plans. Among his many recognitions were the Bronze Merit Award for Hostage Situation Service and Investigator of the Year.

In 1999, he was elected to the Lafayette City Council, and in fall 2003, he was elected Mayor of Lafayette, taking the city’s reigns in January 2004.

Throughout the years, he’s committed time and energy to community organizations, neighborhood associations, and the city’s economic development, parks, recreation, environment and planning. His dozens of volunteer leadership and service posts have helped these and other organizations: American Red Cross, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Cary Home, Community and Family Resource Center , Golden Broncho Club, Hanna Community Center , Jefferson High School Booster Club, Mental Health Association, Moose Lodge and Tippecanoe County Council on the Prevention of Child Abuse. In 2004, he received the state’s highest honor, the Sagamore of the Wabash award, from Governor Joseph Kernan, recognizing his service to Lafayette .

Jay G. Smith
1978

While at Jefferson High School , Jay played basketball his junior and senior years earning two letters. He played golf all four years earning four letters. He was the Sports Director for WJEF and was the co-host for “Today at Jeff’ which was featured on the Today Show.

Jay graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in General Management. While at Purdue, he was the captain and MVP of the Purdue Golf Team. Jay attended the Professional Insurance Agents School at Drake University where he graduated third in this class. He earned his CPCU designation in April of 2000.

Jay began his insurance career with MBAH in 1986 after working with a major brokerage firm in Florida . In 1992, Jay became a stockholder at MBAH, was Vice President of Operations for six years and became President and CEO in July of 2000.

Jay has been involved in numerous community activities, including the Lafayette/West Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, the Purdue Athletic Advisory Council, Purdue’s Community Campaign Council, John Purdue Club, Town and Gown and Rotary Club where he received the Paul Harris Fellow Award in 1995. He is also a vocalist in the Central Presbyterian Church Celebration Band.

Jay is currently a Director in the Western Golf Association and Chairman of the Rotary Foundation Investment Committee for the Noon Rotary Club.

Michael L. Smith
1966

While at Jefferson High School , Mike Smith was a member of the Nautilus staff, student council and Boys State . He was also sophomore class president and senior class president He was a member of the National Honor Society, United States Senate Youth and Broncho Broadcasters. Mike was also a member of the “Bucky’s Raiders” intramural team. Mike received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from DePauw University in 1970.

Mike started his business career with Arthur Anderson & Co. in 1970. He was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mayflower Group, Inc. from 1989 to 1995. Mike was Chief Operating Officer of American Health Network Inc. from 1996 to1998. Mike served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Anthem, Inc. and its subsidiaries, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, assuming his position in 1999. In August 2004, Mike was also appointed President of Anthem National Accounts. Mike retired from his most recent position in January 2005. His retirement followed the merger of Anthem and WellPoint Health Networks, Inc.

Mike serves on several Boards of Directors including First Indiana Corporation and its principal subsidiary, First Indiana Bank, and Finishmaster, Inc., the nation’s largest distributor of auto refinishing supplies. He also serves as Director of InterMune, a biopharmaceutical manufacturing company, and Kite Realty Group Trust, a real estate investment trust.

Mike has served as a director of several charitable and civic organizations and is currently serving as a director for the Legacy Fund of Hamilton County. Mike is a member of the Board of Trustees of DePauw University, the Michigan Maritime Museum and the Park Tudor School Trust. His prior community service includes leadership roles with the Indianapolis Symphony, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis , the family Support Center , the St. Vincent ’s Hospital Foundation, the Eiteljorg Museum and the Crossroads Rehabilitation Center .  

Jeffrey Lynn Washburn
1972

While at Jefferson High School , Jeff was Sports Editor of the Booster, was on the Speech and Debate team, played football and was a radio and tv broadcaster. Jeff graduated from Purdue University in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism/Radio TV.

He started as a part- time sports writer for the Lafayette Journal and Courier, and worked his way to a sports staff writer and columnist. He has done this from 1976 to the present. He has been a high school football and boys basketball coordinator, covering each IHSAA boys basketball state finals from 1976 to 1994. From April 1994 through the present, he has been the Purdue men’s basketball beat writer, covering all but three games – home and away. From Sept. 2000 through present, he has been the Purdue football game-day columnist, including one Rose Bowl, three Sun Bowls and one Capital One Bowl. He has been a Colt World Series beat writer from 1976 to the present. He has covered one Pan-American Game, one PGA championship at Crooked Stick in Carmel and many Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers games.

He is a frequent freelancer for the Purdue Alumnus Magazine, USA Today, Tampa Tribune, Wabash College Alumni magazine, Host Communications’ John Wooden Tradition, John Wooden Classic and NCAA men’s basketball tournament game programs.

He is the author of three books, is an 11 time winner of the Gannett Newspaper group’s various writing awards for public service, feature writing, sports columns, deadline sports reporting and sports enterprise writing and reporting. In 1991, he was selected Indiana ’s sports writer of the year by the Indiana Sports Writers and Sportscasters Association. He has won numerous writing awards over the years. In 2005 he received a writing award from the Hoosier State Press Association for a special section centered on Gene Keady’s 25 th and final year as the Purdue men’s basketball coach.

Ronald S. Cohen
1954

While Ronald Cohen was at Jefferson High School , he was a three-year member of the Jefferson baseball team and played on the Lafayette American Legion state championship teams of 1953 and 1954. He was Salutatorian of the Class of 1954. Upon graduation Ronald enrolled at Indiana University – Bloomington , where he graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in business with honors and a major in accounting.

Ronald joined the CPA firm of Crowe, Chizek & Company in South Bend upon graduation from Indiana University . Ronald practiced as a CPA with Crowe, Chizek his entire 45-year career except for a brief stint with the U.S. Army artillery. At his retirement in 2003, the firm had grown to be the eighth largest CPA firm in the country. He served for 12 years as the CEO of the firm and six years as Chairman of its Executive Committee. Subsequent to his retirement from the firm, Ronald continued to act as an arbitrator and expert witness in complex commercial disputes.

Ronald was active in professional accounting organizations and served for seven years on the Board of Directors of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, including a year as its Chairman. In 2006, he was awarded the Institute's Gold Medal for Distinguished Service, the highest award granted by the Institute. In addition, Ronald served on the Executive Council of Horwath International, a worldwide association of CPA firms, for 16 years. Seven of those years, he was Chairman and on the Board of Directors of the International Federation of Accountants as the U.S. Representative.

Richard M. Rea
1977

While at Jefferson High School, Richard was in the Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Boys Glee Club Choir, Acapella Choir (president his senior year), musicals, Male Jazz Quartet, soloist for Christmas show and Senior Vespers convocation, Theatre Crew, swim team manager (received varsity letter and conference champion patch and jacket), J-Club, Broncho Broadcasters, and sports director. He broadcast all home varsity and junior varsity football and basketball games and did stringer reports of Jeff games for WLFI-TV 18 Friday night sports. He was awarded a PTA scholarship.

Richard attended Butler University earning his Bachelor of Science in radio and television in 1981. While at Butler , Richard served as Sports Director for WAJC doing play-by-play of the 1980 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four hosted by Butler at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. Prior to that assignment Richard was already working at commercial radio stations in Lafayette and Indianapolis.

Richard made the jump to television as a student intern at WISH-TV, in the fall of 1980. While at WISH, he reported, anchored, and administered a sports department which doubled from four to eight members during his tenure. He also earned numerous awards for his reporting from the Associated Press, United Press International, and Indianapolis Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. His work also received two local Emmy nominations. Richard has traveled to numerous sporting venues nationally covering IU, Purdue, Pacers, and Colts games. Richard helped launch Indy's first regular Saturday and Sunday night expanded sports programs at WISH as a producer and anchor. He also produced and hosted several sports specials dedicated to coverage of motor sports and the 1991 PGA Championship.

Richard moved to WTHR in 1998. With Richard as the Sports Executive Producer, the expanded Sunday night show quickly moved over the top as the show of record for sports hungry fans. Richard recently celebrated 25 consecutive years in the local TV news business, a milestone surpassed only by Indy sports legends Tom Carnegie and Don Hein.

In November 2006 Richard accepted a position as Director of Communications at Methodist Sports Medicine Center , central Indiana 's original and most experienced sports medicine practice. He has served as emcee of the Indy 500 Last Row Party, Indiana Fellowship of Christian Athletes awards dinner, Butler University Spring Sports banquet, Lafayette Jefferson High School's Build the Future campaign, and the Possibility Network luncheon series featuring former NBA great Isiah Thomas.

Glenn S. Richie
1982

While at Jefferson , Glenn was named team captain or co-captain eight times and earned six Most Valuable Player awards. He had four state finalist appearances in cross country and track and field, three 800m conference and sectional championships, and two city 800 championships. He was a starter on the Jeff basketball team that won two sectional and regional championships and received the Jill Burnhart scholarship award for excellence. Throughout his athletic career, Glenn was a multi-sport phenomonen, earning nine varsity letters in cross country, basketball, and track and field.

Immediately after competing in the Indiana State High School Track and Field Championships, he shipped to Army basic training. While at basic training, he was awarded the Commanding General's Award for Military Excellence, the Trainee of the Cycle Award. After basic training, Glenn attended Indiana State University on a track scholarship where he was an 800m indoor champion and seven-time indoor and outdoor conference finalist. While at ISU, Glenn served as team captain for three years. The highlight of Glenn's career came in 1986 when he raced the 500m in the World Indoor Track and Field Championships in Indianapolis . During his freshman year, he enrolled in the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology ROTC program as one of 30 freshmen. In May 1984, age 19, he was the only cadet of the 30 to complete the program and receive an early commission. Glenn has served our nation for over 25 years and is still on active duty. Those 25 years included a combat tour during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and a variety of other command staff positions.

Glenn is a graduate of the Joint Professional Military Education School, the Air Command and Staff College, USAREC Commander's Course, the Field Artillery Captains Advance Course, TACFIRE School, Maintenance Officer Course, Airborne School and the Field Artillery Basic Course.

He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in business management from Indiana State University and his Master's degree in computer resources and information management from Webster University .

His military awards and decorations include: Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and National Defense Service Medal with star, Southwest Asia Service Medal with star, and the Parachutist Badge.

In December 2002, Glenn was promoted to Lt. Colonel and was selected to command the largest geographic recruiting battalion in the United States . His recruiting area covers 46,000 square miles throughout New York , Massachusetts , Vermont , Connecticut , and all of Europe.

D. Richard Smith
1949

While at Jefferson High School , Richard played timpani in the Jeff Band and Orchestra. Also, while at Jeff, he played timpani with the new Lafayette Symphony Orchestra. Richard participated in the Red and Black Review and served as the cymbal player in the Bernard McAdams Marching Band. He was in the senior class play and was active in the Hi-Y. Upon graduation, Richard attended Purdue where Al Stewart named him tenor soloist with Purdue Varsity Glee Club. When he was 11 years old Mr. Stewart used him as tenor soloist in the annual Christmas Convocation. At Purdue, he majored in social studies education. Richard was given the Purdue Musical Organization's “Outstanding Graduate” award as he completed his B. S. degree in 1953.

While serving in the U. S. Army he organized an army chorus and entertainment group that performed on television and sang at the premier of the movie, “The Long Gray Line.” The chorus also traveled to Purdue where it performed at the Elliott Hall of Music under the auspices of the Purdue Glee Club. Richard was awarded the Army Commendation Medal upon his release from active duty. He spent the following year as assistant to the Director of Purdue Musical Organization before entering the Purdue graduate school majoring in speech/communication.

After completing his doctorate at Purdue, Richard taught communication at Albion College . In 1962 he was recruited by Purdue to serve as the number two administrator at the Purdue Fort Wayne campus. In 1965 he was promoted to Dean and Director of the campus serving five years before moving to the office of Regional Campus Administration at Purdue's West Lafayette campus. He was then promoted to Assistant to the Vice President for Regional Campus Administration.

While serving in Regional Campus Administration, he assisted with administration of regional campuses, developed policies for the administration of IUPUI ( Indianapolis ), and assisted in the development of the Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System (IHETS). Later he served as Assistant to the Provost, Felix Haas, and was then promoted to the Office of International Programs where he helped develop and supervise Purdue's Overseas Development Programs and the junior year abroad.

He worked in Cairo , Egypt negotiating Purdue's contract for a major nutrition study done with Ministry of Health. He also spent time in Mexico and three months in the People's Republic of China setting up exchange agreements.

Since his retirement he serves as a Docent at the New Mexico History Museum (Palace of the Governors) and at the Santa Fe Opera. He also continues to perform on the timpani with the Santa Fe Symphony, the Canticum Novum Chorus and Orchestra, the Los Alamos Philharmonic, and the Santa Fe Concert Band. He also visits two to four college and university campuses a year chairing accreditation teams.

Jack L. Walkey
1964

While attending Jefferson High School , Jack was involved in Spanish Club, Student Council, Key Club, J-Club, football, basketball, baseball, and was a library assistant. Jack was starting guard on Jefferson 's 1964 State Basketball Championship team. Jack attended Ohio State University on a full basketball scholarship playing on the basketball team for all three years and was named a Scholar-Athlete. Jack graduated from Ohio State University in 1968 with a degree in business administration with a major in marketing. While attending Ohio State, he participated in the Army ROTC program, was selected to Scabbard and Blade and Mershon Honorary, and upon graduation, was named a Distinguished Military graduate and commissioned a 2 nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. With a deferment from the U.S. Army to attend law school, Jack then attended the Indiana University School of Law. Upon graduation from law school in 1971, he joined what is now the Ball Eggleston law firm in Lafayette.

Jack's practice is devoted almost exclusively to estate planning, trusts, estate administration, and real estate (including tax-deferred exchanges.) He is a member of the Tippecanoe County , Indiana State (Probate, Trust and Real Property, and Taxation sections), and American Bar Associations (member of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law, and Taxation sections).

Jack is a frequent speaker on estate and tax planning, trusts, and real estate subjects. He has been a contributing author, speaker, chair, and co-chair at numerous Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum seminars for Indiana lawyers on real estate and estate planning topics. He has been an instructor for the Indiana Banking Association to local bank employees on topics of banking law.

He is the author of Real Estate Primer, a popular form book and guide for Indiana lawyers published by the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum. He is also past president of the Estate Planning Council of Greater Lafayette and a past president of the Tippecanoe County Bar Association. Jack holds the highest rating (AV) in the Martindale Hubbell director of lawyers and was recently named an Indiana “Super Lawyer” in the area of Estate Planning and Probate Administration.

Jack is presently serving on the City of Lafayette Police Civil Service Commission (past president) and has previously served on the Lafayette City Council. He also served on the Board of Directors for The Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette, Tippecanoe County Chapter of the American Heart Association (past president), Lyn Treece Boys Club, YMCA, and the Jefferson High School Booster Club (past president). He was a charter member of the board and is now a life member of Jeff's Golden Broncho Club (past president). He also served on the Lafayette School Corporation's Task Force on Declining Enrollment.

Arnold Cohen
1950

While at Jefferson High School, Arni played varsity football and baseball for four years and intramural sports.  He was also on the senior committee. He was on the Booster staff (sports reporting) and a member of Quill and Scroll.  He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1950. He graduated from Indiana University in 1954 with a degree in history. He joined the Army as a second lieutenant and after his discharge returned to Lafayette to become a manager for Sarge Biltz restaurant. He bought the Market Square Pizza King in 1965.

Arni created the pizza empire of Arni’s restaurants and gave rise to the familiar slogan “Meet Me At Arni’s.”  Arni’s has become one of the largest independently-owned restaurant chains in Indiana with 18 locations statewide.
                     
  Along with building his business, Arni made time for many community activities. He was an active member of the community, having served in the following capacities:  president of his synagogue, the Temple of Israel, president of United Way, vice-president of the Indiana Restaurant Association, elected member of the West Lafayette City Council, Greater Lafayette Museum of Art Foundation Board, United Stand for Children Board, Greater Lafayette Community Development Board, Tippecanoe County Historical Association Board, Lyn Treece Boys and Girls Club Board, John Purdue Club, West Lafayette Parks and Recreation Foundation Board, Friends of Convocations Board and Bank One Board.  He was the first chairman of Project Commitment of Lafayette.

He was the recipient of the Rotary International Award, the Paul Harris Fellow and the Marquis de Lafayette Award.

Vernon S. Denney
1958

While at Jefferson High School, Vernon was a member of the band, Hoof Beats, master of ceremonies of the Red and Black Revue, Audio Visual Club, Performers Club, Hi-Y and Student Council.  After graduating, Vernon received an A.B. Degree from the University of Indianapolis (Indiana Central College) and a Master of Divinity Degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

Vernon served EUB and United Methodist churches in Ohio and Indiana during the 1960’s and 1970’s focusing his work on youth and Christian Education.  He led numerous youth travel and work camps in Europe, Africa and the United States.  In 1973, he became the director of the Crescent Avenue United Methodist Church weekday school serving preschool and kindergarten children.  In 1977, he began a twenty year career at the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, Tennessee as an editor of children’s Sunday school curriculum.  He also held positions in marketing and electronic publishing.

In 1982, Vern became a member of the first elected Metro Nashville School Board serving for 19 years.  He was elected chairman three years.  He is seen as a reconciler within the Nashville community, especially during school desegregation activities in the late 1970’s and 1980’s.  Vern was a member of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee School Board Association, serving as state president in 1998.  Vern was a member of the board of directors of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, the Rape and Sexual Abuse Center, Project PENCIL and the Nashville Institute for the Arts.

In 1998, Vern co-founded and was the director of the Learning Plus Foundation which financed and operated a program for academically at-risk elementary children called Project Starfish. This program served over 500 children every summer for five years.  Ultimately, the Project Starfish concept was incorporated into the Metro Nashville Public Schools enhanced option elementary schools.

In 2002, Vern was employed by Metro Nashville Public Schools as the director of student assignments.  In 2005, he became the director of customer service, establishing the first-ever, full-service public education customer service center serving the families of over 70,000 students.

Vern is a graduate of Leadership Nashville and received the Phi Delta Kappa Educator of the Year Award along with numerous recognitions for his leadership in the public education of Nashville’s children.  Vern retired from public service in May 2007 but remains a strong advocate of public education.

Paul E. “Spider” Fields
1945

While attending Jefferson High School, Fields played varsity baseball.  “Spider” graduated in January 1945 and in February, was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in the U.S. Field Artillery, serving two years.  He played on the Fort Bragg baseball team before being discharged from the army as a Technician Fifth Class (Corporal).

Fields enrolled in the Purdue University School of Physical Education receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in 1952 and Master’s Degree in 1960.  After teaching one year in the Otterbein School Systems, “Spider” was hired as a teacher and coach in the Lafayette School Corporation.  He taught social studies, coached football and basketball at Sunnyside Junior High School and served as Jefferson High School assistant varsity baseball coach.  Fields was named head baseball coach in 1960.  The “Red and Black” compiled a record of 404 wins, 69 losses and 1 tie, a .855 winning percentage in his 16 years at the helm.  During this period, the Bronchos were North Central Conference Champions eight times and made three state finals appearances, winning state championship titles in 1969 and 1973 as well as state runner up in 1971.  Fields was named North Central Conference “Coach of the Year” eight times during his coaching tenure.  Other achievements include being named District 2 National High School Baseball Coach (1974) and Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association “Coach of the Year” (1974).  He has been inducted into the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame (1979), Lafayette School Corporation Wall of Fame (2003) and Loeb Stadium Wall of Fame (2007).  Fields served on the Indiana High School Athletic Association Board of Directors (1974).

Jack A. Hockema
1964

While at Jefferson High School, Jack was in Student Council, J-Club, cross country, basketball (on the 1964 state basketball team), baseball and Junior Achievement.  Jack attended Purdue University’s College of Engineering graduating with distinction in civil engineering in 1968 and with an MBA degree in 1970.

He has since earned a reputation for successfully transforming underperforming businesses in the metals industry on behalf of Alcoa, Consolidated Aluminum, Kaiser Aluminum, Gulf + Western Brass Company and Outokumpu Copper.

In 1992, he founded Hockema Financial Services, an investment advisory and management consulting firm providing services to individuals and companies in the metals industry.  One consulting assignment triggered a chain of events that brought him back to the metals industry, culminating in Jack taking the helm of Kaiser Aluminum as chairman, president and chief executive officer.

Jack has served on the Civil Engineering Advisory Council, International Association of Financial Planners and International Aluminum Institute.
He is currently associate director of Materials Service Center Institute.

He was awarded the Purdue University School of Civil Engineering Alumni Achievement Award and served on the university’s Civil Engineering Advisory Council.  He also has received Kaiser’s “Best Operating Team” Award and Gulf + Western “Circle of Excellence” Award. He and his wife have established the Jack and Kay Hockema Professorship in Civil Engineering at Purdue.

Robert W. “Bobby” Masters
1948

Bobby attended Lafayette Jefferson High School and participated in cross country, basketball, track and golf. He earned four letter jackets as well as maintained a grade point average in the upper 5% of the graduating class.  He was a part of the 1948 basketball team who won the State of Indiana High School “One Class” basketball championship.  In Bobby’s senior year, he shared the honor of captain of the basketball team with Dick Robinson.  He also was awarded the honor of being the 1948 State of Indiana’s “Mr. Basketball.” 

After graduating from Jefferson, Bobby attended Indiana University.  While a student athlete at IU, Bobby was elected and held office in many of the university’s student societies and organizations.  His highest honor was when he was elected to the “Board of Aeons” which was the president’s confidential student council.  All four years he was a member of the Dean’s honor roll, received the Big Ten medal and was named captain his senior year.  He also received Big Ten and national basketball honors in his senior year. 

After completing a successful career at IU on and off the basketball and tennis courts, Bobby decided to make medicine his career and to decline a draft deal offered with the Minneapolis Lakers.  Later Bobby specialized in the field of anesthesiology for 26 years and continued to play AAU basketball for 15 to20 years.  In 1978, Bobby received the NCAA College Basketball Coaches Silver Anniversary Award at the 1978 NCAA Basketball Championship in St. Louis.  After 26 years in the practice of anesthesiology, he returned to teaching to become an associate professor at the Anesthesiology Department of the University of Illinois-Chicago, Illinois.  After a short time, he was named chief of anesthesiology of the affiliated VAH.  While there he had over 26 publications in the medical journals of anesthesiology and regional anesthesiology.  Over the years, Bobby conducted seminars and chaired many anesthesiology meetings in the USA and abroad, retiring in 1996.

Philip M. Burgess
1957

While at Jefferson High School Philip was in the Latin Club, Spanish Club, Performers Club, Hi-Y, Hi-Y Council, Student Council, J-Club, Red and Black Revue, football, track, swimming, Junior Revue, Senior Revue, Junior Achievement and Purdue legislature.  He also was junior and senior class presidents.

Phil graduated from Knox College with honors and earned his Ph.D from America University in Washington, D.C.  While at Knox College, he was student body president and was an outstanding scholar-athlete. 

He has been president of the National Academy for Public Administration, president of the Center for the New West, president of the Western Governor’s Policy Office and Executive Director of the National Policy Commission.  He also is Group Managing Director, Public Policy of Telstra Ltd. Australia.

He served for 19 years as a faculty member of the Ohio State University, University of Colorado and the Colorado School of Mines.  He also has served on the board of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Clapham Institute and is a board member and former president of Camp Blaze.  He also has been active in the international arena.

He has served on the U.S. Department of State’s European Advisory Council and U.S. committee on transportation, telecommunications and tourism of the Pacific Economic Corporation Council.  He has delivered the annual “American Outlook” lecture series in Tokyo for the Management Institute of the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan.  He is active in groups to foster closer relations in the Western Hemisphere, especially in North America, among the U.S., Canada and Mexico.  Phil has written a weekly column on political and business issues which were distributed nationally by the Scripps Howard News Service.  He has been a guest on CNN, the Nightly Business Report, National Public Radio, the McLaughlin Group and the News Hour on PBS.

Dr. Edward L. Hayes
1954  

While at Jefferson High School, Ed was a member of the Future Teachers of America, Red and Black Revue, Tennis, Concert Band, Marching Band, Dance Band, Dixieland Band, Orchestra, All-State Orchestra and State Band Contest. He was also a member of the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, Lafayette City Band, Purdue University Orchestra and Dixieland Band, and the American Legion Post #11. In the 8th grade Ed became Solo Clarinetist of the Band and Orchestra. At the age of 12 he became one of the youngest members of the American Federation of Musicians’ Union in the United States.

At Indiana University, Ed was awarded the William Presser Scholarship in 1954 and received the first Performer’s Certificate for Clarinet Performance in 1957. This is the highest honor that can be granted by the School of Music. Upon graduation in 1957 with a B.M. degree in Woodwinds, Ed became the Assistant Concertmaster of the U.S. Navy Band in Washington, D.C. He was also a member of the orchestra and Assistant Director of the Navy Dance Band (“the Commodores”).

In 1967, Ed transferred to the U.S. Armed Forces School of Music as the training officer in charge of the Woodwind Dept. He was also the advanced instructor for the Army Warrant Officer’s Course and the Navy CPO Course. In 1970, Ed accepted the Concertmaster’s position with the U.S. Naval Academy Band. He was also the Lecturer of Music History for the U.S. Naval Academy’s History Dept. During this period, he completed his Master’s Degree in Music in 1970 and his Doctor’s Degree in Music in 1973 from Catholic University, Washington, D.C.

Upon retiring from the Navy in 1976, Ed started his 30 year professional civilian music career as a Master Woodwind Specialist on all the woodwinds for the National Theatre and Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and the Morris Mechanic Theatre and Lyric Opera House in Baltimore, MD. He also performed as Principal Clarinetist with the National Gallery Orchestra in Washington & the Wolf Trap Orchestra in VA and played many performances with the National Symphony Orchestra. Ed’s teaching also included part-time Professor of Music at Towson State University.

In 1991, Ed added a career in computers to his music career. He had been performing special computer projects for the CIA, MIT and George Mason University, when he found there was a need for these talents in the U.S. Treasury.  Specializing in Computer Security for IBM mainframe, minicomputers and microcomputers, he was hired by the Internal Revenue Service. In 1998, Ed accepted the position of Program Manager of Computer Security and Physical Security for Criminal Investigation, IRS, worldwide. He was responsible for the Certification & Auditing of all major computer systems and the training and background investigations of all personnel including Top Secret plus Secured Compartmentalized Information. Ed has received numerous awards from the IRS Commissioner, Chief of Information and the Director of Criminal

Investigation for being the Coordinator of the Combined Federal Campaign, Coordinator of Certification for all major systems for Y2K compliance, and for leading the IRS Computer Virus Team.

Harold Robert Harris
1952

While at Jefferson High School Harold was in the Jeff Hi-Y, J-Club, Cross Country, played on three semi-final basketball teams and three undefeated North Central Conference baseball teams. He also played the piano during his years at Jefferson.

Harold graduated from Purdue in 1956 with two masters: Governor’s State University Urban Education and Masters of Administration. Harold was in the U.S. Army from 1956 until 1958. In 1958, he joined the Illinois National Guard, where he became a Second Lieutenant. He worked for the Chicago Welfare Department as a caseworker prior to becoming a teacher in 1960.   He taught high school and elementary school

and coached championship teams in three sports, retiring after 38 years and 9 months from the Chicago Board of Education. Harold taught high school drop-outs How To Survey. The course was competency orientation, preparation for employment and education.

Harold led his own band, called the Harold Harris Trio, which played at the Playboy Club for many years until Hugh Heffner moved to California. The Trio was the opening act for Johnny Mathis and lead band for Redd Foxx in Las Vegas. He played the Chicago Cotton Club – Bernie Mac was master of ceremonies and Robert Kelly was the vocalist. He recorded two albums entitled “Here’s Harold” and “Harold R. Harris at the Playboy Club”. Harold has played at many voluntary musical events, such as Boys Town, Red Cross, Urban League, NAACP and Rainbow Push.

Sandra Thomas Wales
1958

While at Jefferson High School Sandra was a member of the Commercial Club, Junior Sunshine Society, Senior Sunshine Society, Block Section, Red & Black Revue and Senior Play.

Upon graduation Sandra attended Purdue University earning a BA degree in Creative Writing/Journalism, then an MA in play writing from West Virginia University, and a doctorate in education from West Virginia University.   She taught special education in West Virginia then became a high school principal at Bruceton Jr/Sr High School. Sandra retired from that position, but continues to teach literature and creative writing at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. 

Sandra, under the pen name Haley Elizabeth Garwood, has published four novels in her Warrior Queen Series and is currently working on two more novels. She also is a professional blogger for the online version of Armchair General Magazine and writes about women warriors and the little known female ferry pilots of WWII.

Sandra also does creative writing workshops at science fiction/fantasy conferences and appears on panels usually to discuss medieval military tactics – from a woman’s perspective. Her early career was spent as a flight attendant for Purdue Aeronautics and Frontier Airlines.

Sandra would most like to be remembered as an educator and an author for women’s fiction.

Dr. Robert A. Rapp
1952

While Robert was at Jefferson High School he was a member of the Latin Club (president one year), Jeff Hi-Y, Cross Country, Track, Student Council (president his senior year), J-Club, Intramural Sports, Red & Black Revue and Student Convo.

He was 7th in his class of 267 in 1952,

Robert graduated with Honors in Metallurgical Engineering from Purdue University in 1956. He received an MS in 1958 and PhD in 1960 in Metallurgical Engineering at Carnegie Institute of Technology, now Carnegie-Mellon. Following a Post-Doc Fulbright Scholarship year with Carl Wagner at MPS for Physical Chemistry in Goettingen, Germany in 1959-60, he served as a First Lt. and Research Metallurgist at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.  In 1963, he started as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Metallurgical Engineering at Ohio State University where he eventually was named a Distinguished University Professor (now Emeritus).

Over a span of forty-five years, Robert, has been involved in research comprising several different topics, many involved with corrosion and electrochemistry. At Ohio State University, Robert has advised or co-advised 46 PhD student, 45 MS students, and 40 Post-Docs and Visiting Researchers. He has published 265 journal articles and courses, and authored 20 patents. He has been named a Fellow to four US-based (ECS, ASM, TMS and NACE) and three foreign (French Soc. For Materials, Japanese Institute for Metals and British Institute of Corrosion (BIC) societies. He has received the ECS Linworth Teaching Award, the ECS Olin Palladium Award, and the Outstanding Achievement Award of the HTM Division. He served as Chairman of the ECS Corrosion Division and an Associate Editor of the ECS Journal. He has received the top awards for research achievement from TMS, ASM, BIC and the TMS Educator Award. He received a Doctor Honoris Causa from Institute Polytechnique of Toulouse in 1995, and was named a “Chavalier dans L’ordre des Palmes academiques” in 1993.

Linda Silver Cohen
1954

While at Jefferson High School Linda was involved in the Booster Staff, Quill and Scroll, Girls Advisory Council, Senior play, Red and Black Revue, Block Section, Spanish Club, Sunshine Society, Tri-Hi-Y, Junior Varsity show and Forensics. After graduation in 1954 she attended Indiana University, graduating in 1958 in Theatre. While at Indiana University she was president of her dorm during her sophomore year; chairman of the Association of Woman Students Judicial Board her senior year; on the newspaper staff her freshman year; and was a member of  the Indiana University Foundation steering committee and an honorary member of the Mortar Board honor society.

From 1958 until 2009 Linda has been involved in many organizations. She was a founder and president of the Wabash Valley Hospital Auxiliary. She was the first woman president of Temple Israel (1974) and has been a board member of the Temple Israel Sisterhood (president three times), Junior Women’s Club, Hanna Community Center, Family Services Agency, YWCA Association, YWCA Foundation president, Lafayette Community and Resource Center (Southside), National Board of Women of Reform Judaism, Duncan Hall, and Planned Parenthood State Board.

Linda was awarded the 2006 Win Hentschel Award (YWCA). She served on the West Lafayette City Council from 2002 – 2004 and participated in Vision 20/20 She was honored with the “Woman of Wisdom” Award presented during the 2009 YWCA Salute to Women ceremony.

Harry F. Olds
1939

While at Jefferson High School, Harry played varsity football (lettered his senior year)4 years played varsity baseball 4 years, was in the Red and Black Review and was a member of the J-Club. While at Purdue Harry played baseball and played both locally and in the U.S. Marine Corp. He also had a brief stint at a professional player for the St. Louis Browns (now the Baltimore Orioles). 

Harry also coached baseball for the Broncho, Pony, Colt and American Legion Levels.
Harry has been at Sunnyside Junior High School from 1959 – 1981 as a teacher, assistant principal, and seventeen years as principal. Harry is a life member of the American Legion Post #11 and the Purdue Alumni Association. He has served as a

teacher/coach at Morgan Park, Illinois and at Salem, Indiana

In 1988 he was inducted into the Lafayette School Corporation Wall of Fame and in 2009 was inducted into the Loeb Stadium Wall of Fame. He has served on the North Central Association Committee Evaluation Team for high schools & colleges at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He has been the official scorer for the Colt World Series for over 20 years.

N. Neil Harris
1958

While at Jefferson High School Neil was a member of the J-Club and the Red and Black Revue. He was in track his junior and senior years and intramural basketball his senior year. He was a member of the 2 Mile relay team in 1958 setting a record that stood until the late 1990’s. Neil won numerous art awards including the top award for a WCTU Temperance Poster his senior year.

Neil had a couple of career path changes in his life having been a scientific illustrator and photographer at Purdue’s Veterinary School for 11 years and with the American Numismatic Association (ANA) in a number of capacities in Colorado Springs for 15 years.

A published illustrator/photographer, photojournalist in Veterinary Medicine, Neil was a photographer of two veterinary textbooks and illustrator for another and created hundreds of art and photographic works for the teaching faculty, articles, grant and research papers in his years at Purdue. Neil was the yearbook advisor from 1965-1973, and designed the school’s logo in 1971 that is still in use today.

At ANA, Neil was Asst. Historian, Historian, Columnist and the 13th editor of The Numismatist, the official journal of the ANA as well as the Director of Photography and Director of Operations for the Association. Awarded the Association’s Medal of Merit in 1980, Neil is the only editor in their 120 year history to win the top annual writing award for his article on the coin hoard recovered by Mel Fisher in 1985, and his experiences diving on the wreck site, of the Spanish galleon, Nuestra Senora De Atocha which sunk in 1622 during a hurricane near Key West.

In addition, Neil has been a free-lance artist, medallic sculptor and photographer for over 40 years. He developed a coin photographing technique utilizing axial lighting providing museum quality numismatic images. Neil was a photographic consultant to a number of numismatic corporations during and following his years at ANA as well as to the numismatics division of the Smithsonian Institution. Neil has designed and/or sculptured over 50 commissioned medals including medals of Indiana State Numismatic Assoc., Medical Library Assoc., Mayo Clinic, American Numismatic Assoc., Purdue Veterinary School, College of Financial Planning and others. He has won numerous awards in graphics, photography, numismatics and medallic art.

He was responsible for the 24 piece Southern California Rapid Transit District transportation token series for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Neil is still a practicing free-lance artist, medallic sculptor and photographer. He was a practicing portrait and sports photographer for Douglas Studios since 1999 during which Neil was the primary Jeff yearbook photographer and continues as photographer for many of Jeff’s events.

William F. Olds
1973

While at Jefferson High School William was a member of the 1973 State Championship Baseball team. During the state finals he earned two victories on the mound and was named the L. V. Phillips Award Winner (State Mental Attitude). His 15 victories on the mounds that season rank second in Jeff baseball history. He holds the Jeff record of most innings pitched in a season (113). His 25 career victories are third on the list and 242 career strikeouts are ranked fifth. He earned three letters in baseball and was named to the all North Central Conference Team two years. He also played four years of basketball, earning two letters and played football two years.

William graduated from Indiana University in 1977 with a B.S. in Management & Administration. He was a four year member of the baseball team where he served mainly as a relief pitcher. He attended I.U. on a baseball scholarship playing 4 years for the Hoosiers.

William joined Lafayette Life as a management trainee in 1978 and advanced through the ranks in the Underwriting Department becoming Chief Underwriter in 1987. He became a Vice President in 1991 and was promoted to Senior Vice President in 1997 and Chief Operating Officer in 2005. He serves as the President of the Lafayette Life Foundation.

William has been supportive of Jefferson High School and youth baseball. He has been a board member of the Jefferson Booster Club, Build the Future Committee. Murdock Park Baseball and a member of the Loeb Stadium fundraising committee. He also served five years as an assistant baseball coach at Jeff and has been a press box announcer.

Currently, William serves on the Loeb Stadium Advisory Committee, the Chamber Council for Greater Lafayette Commerce and is a board member of the Golden Broncho Club.

Kathryn Bibler Myers
1964

While at Jefferson High School Kathryn was a member of the Future Nurses, Block Section, Sunshine Society, German Club, Cheerleaders Advisory Board (serving as vice president) and Junior Achievement. She was a devoted Bronchos fan and still is a fan.

After graduating from Jefferson High School, Kathryn attended the Indiana University School of Nursing. She served as vice president of her senior nursing class.

Kathryn has been a nurse for over 42 years and a hospice nurse for the past 20 years. She was on the staff at Elmhurst Hospital in Illinois for 12 years and moved to Summit, New Jersey where she became a hospice nurse, caring for patients and their families in their critical, end stage times. During this period she was on the board of directors for Our House – a group home for developmentally challenged adults.

She is a strong advocate of hospice care, offering information to all who are in need. She has been dedicated to the needs of her patients and families, both physical and emotional needs. She offers love, care, and comfort and encourages families to celebrate the life, not mourn the death.

Kathryn is certified as a hospice and pallaiative care nurse and now works in Denver, Colorado for The Denver Hospice.

Christian Carroll
1987

 While at Jefferson High School Chris was active with Radio/TV becoming president of Broncho Broadcasters, as well as the Television Production Manager. He was in the final Radio and Television class taught by the department founder Bill Fraser. He was a disc jockey on WJEF-FM, which was not on the air 24 hours a day at the time. He talked Mr. Brist into letting him sign on the station at 7:15am, to allow him and other students the opportunity to have more air-time. The on-air practice gave Chris the confidence and experience to become the “Voice of the Home Hospital Fair” for four years, and later to make a living at his craft by being a professional DJ at WLZR-FM and later WKHY-FM.

While at Jeff he coordinated the 15^th anniversary celebration of WJEF. He was a freelance videographer for Jeff football, volleyball, swimming and diving, and boys and girls basketball events. He attended the State Broadcasting Competition in Indianapolis, where he was named state champion for Television Broadcast News. Chris also represented Jefferson High School at Hoosier Boys State. 

Chris attended Indiana University, where he double-majored and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Telecommunications and Political Science. He joined the Indiana Memorial Union Board of Directors, where he would become its president his senior year.

Upon graduation, Chris went to Los Angeles, where he got his start in booking celebrities for special events and later entertainment merchandising. His merchandising career started while working at MGM Studios and Universal Studios. He became involved in online buying and retail, joining eToys.com as their senior buyer for DVD, Video Music and Software. He moved to Virginia where he joined Circuit City as a buyer and later Manager of Web Merchandising for Circuit City.com, then to Seattle where he became the senior buyer for Computer Peripherals. Chris is currently a Senior Global Sourcing Manger, helping to create new products under the Amazon Basics brand of products and market them thru all of the Amazon global websites.

Chris has been the Team Captain five years running for the Seattle AIDS Walk, helping to raise over $30,000 for the cause.

Phillip W. Hurt
1959

 While at Jefferson High School, Phil participated in basketball, football, cross country and track. During his senior year he was the Most Valuable runner in cross country. He was also a member of Hi-Y, Student Council and J-Club.

Upon graduation from Jeff, he accepted a full athletic scholarship for track and field at McNeese State College in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He lettered all four years in Track and Cross Country. Phil graduated in 1963 with a Bachelors degree, and received his Masters degree from Ball State University in 1969.

Phil was hired by the Lafayette School Corporation in 1963 to teach US History and to be head cross country coach and assistant track coach. He taught US History for nine years while the remainder of his years he taught Health.

During his 40 years of coaching boys cross country and 22 years of coaching girls cross country his teams won the North Central Conference nine times and he was selected Coach of the Year ten times. During his tenure his teams won 125 Invitational events, 35 Sectionals, and 31 Regionals and qualified for the State meet nine times.

He started the Hershey Track & Field program in Lafayette. He was a Track and Field starter for 27 years.

In 2003 he was inducted into the Indiana High School Hall of Fame and was also awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash from Governor Frank O’Bannon.

Phil retired from coaching in 2002 and in 2005 he retired from teaching Health, Social Studies and Drivers Education. Since retiring he has served as an assistant coach for the Broncho Cross Country team for the past five years.

Andrew N. Strausbaugh
1988

While at Jeff Andrew was on the Varsity Tennis team for four years serving as captain. At various times he was chosen as All-State, All-Conference, Tippecanoe County Athlete of the Week,  and Most Valuable Player. He was also involved in J-Club and Spanish Club.

Andrew graduated from Hanover College in 1992 with a BA in Business Administration. He played 4 years of varsity tennis where he was All-District and All Conference three times. He played in the NAIA National Tennis Championships three times. While at Hanover he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity and served for a year on the Inter fraternity Council. Andrew was also a Residence Hall Counselor for two years. In 1995 Andrew received his master’s degree in Health Administration from Indiana University in Indianapolis.

Andrew is Vice President of Finance and Operations at Norton Brownsboro Hospital. He is president of the Kentucky Chapter of The Healthcare Financial Management Association. He is District Chairman of the Daniel Boone District of Boy Scouts of America; Board member of the Oldham County, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana volunteer and Oldham County YMCA Youth Sports Coach and Volunteer.

Ann Stock
1964

 While at Jefferson High School Ann was involved in Future Nurses, Block Section and Sunshine Society.

Upon graduation Ann attended Purdue University earning a BA in 1968. She was an elementary school teacher prior to her career in politics and business. Ann was an Executive Trainer from 1970-1976 for Pan American World Airways. Ann was Vice President of Corporate Communications and Public Relations for Bloomingdale’s Department Stores from 1982-1992. She was also Deputy Press Secretary to Vice President Walter F. Mondale during the 1980 and 1984 Presidential election campaigns.

From 1993-1997 Ann served as Deputy Assistant to President William J. Clinton and as Social Secretary at the White House. From September 1997 to June 2010 she was Vice President of Institutional Affairs at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts where she oversaw the Center’s expanded efforts to increase its national and international profile. She also managed the Center’s International Arts Management Programs, and oversaw its Government Relations Office, Press Office, and Office of Institutional Affairs.

In June 2010 Ann was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs. She leads the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational Cultural Affairs, which promotes international mutual understanding through a wide range of academic, cultural, private sector, professional, youth and sports exchange programs. ECA exchange programs engage youth, students, educators, artists, athletes, and emerging leaders in many fields in the United States and in more than 160 countries, Alumni of ECA exchange programs comprise over one million people around the world, including more than 50 Nobel Laureates and more than 340 current or former heads of state and government.

Roberta Watkins
1954

While at Jefferson High School Roberta majored in art. She was in Future Teachers of America, Forensics, Block Section, Sunshine Society, Girls’ Athletic Association, Tri-Hi-Y, Red and Black Revue, Red Cross and Junior Variety Show.

Roberta graduated from Purdue University where she earned a BS degree and from Columbia University in New York, earning an MA degree. She also studied Art History and French at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. Over the years she held two separate fellowship grants to study at

Skidmore College in NY and a residency grant to study at Watershed Ceramic Art Center in Edgecomb, ME.

Roberta began her teaching career in Warrenton, VA, where she set up the first art program in Fauquier County, and taught all areas of art. She then moved to White Plains, NY, where she taught at all levels from elementary school on up for 28 years, finishing her career by developing the Ceramics Department at the high school. Since retirement at the age of 55, she has continued to teach on a private basis.

In 1999 she taught at the Brookfield Craft Center in CT and was a discussion leader with Kiki Smith, Dai Ichie Arts, Ltd., on The Creative Process in Ceramic Art. From 1992 to the present she has given talks and held workshops for educators, docents, adults and students at the Yale Art Gallery in New Haven, CT. She has also taught at the Washington Art Association, Washington, CT; Canton Clay Works, Canton, CT; and the Guilford Art Center.

Roberta is a ceramic artist who has participated in numerous groups and solo shows, receiving some “Best in Show” awards. Her published works include 2 books and several magazine articles.

Daniel J. CasaSanta
1973

While at Jefferson High School, Daniel served as Vice President of the Senior Class, was a Broncho cheerleader and participated in Spanish Club, J Club, FCA, and Student Council.  He was a Gallop King candidate.  Dan was captain of the swimming team where he earned multiple state finalist recognition and was a multiple North Central Conference champion.

Dan earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Ball State University.  Upon graduation from Ball State University, Dan went to work for General Motors where he was given the opportunity to attend Harvard University and earn his MBA.  He also completed executive education programs at the University of Michigan.
Dan is currently President of BorgWarner Thermal Systems and Vice President of BorgWarner, Inc.  As an officer of the company, Dan is a member of the BorgWarner Management Board and Strategy Board.  Dan serves as a member of the Board of Directors for BorgWarner businesses in China, India and South Korea.    This fortune 500 company is the product leader for vehicle powertrain applications.  Dan is responsible for manufacturing facilities in 59 locations in 18 countries.  Each year Dan has the honor to present the Borg Warner Trophy to the winner of the Indianapolis 500.

Donna M. Osborn
1968

While at Jefferson High School, Donna was active in Future Teachers of America, National Forensic League, Marching Band, Cultural Exchange Club, German Club, Junior Achievement, and Block Section.

Donna attended Anderson College and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Math in 1972.  She also attended Purdue University and graduated with a Master’s of Science in 1997 with a major in Math Education.

Donna was a teacher at Tippecanoe Junior High School from 1972-1979 and 1980-1981, Sunnyside Junior High School from 1981-1983, and then Jefferson High School from 1983-2006.  She received the Fulbright Exchange Fellowship in 1979 when she had the opportunity to be an exchange teacher in Billericay, England.  In 1991-1992 she was a teacher at the International School of Paris.   Donna was awarded the: Christa McAuliffe Award in 1988, Golden Apple Award in 1990, Presidential Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Science and Mathematics in 1996, Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Award and worked in Congressman Peter Visclosky’s Washington office in 1999, and the Purdue University School of Science Distinguished Alumni Award in 2000.  In 2007 Donna and Mindy Gilbert were awarded the George Award for starting It’s My Closet.

Donna was President of the Lafayette Education Association from 1998-1999 and President of the Indiana Council of Teachers of Mathematics from 2004-2006.  She is also a member of the CASAs for Kids Fund Board.

John L. Robinson
1975

While at Jefferson High School, John was active in the JV Club, J Club, and lettered in football and track his Junior and Senior years.  After graduation, he attended Indiana State University for one year.

John then managed a local tire store for fifteen years, and in 1995 opened Robinson Tire and Auto Service with two employees.  Robinson Tire now has two building with nine employees
and was voted Best Auto Repair Shop in 2009 and 2010.

John has been a volunteer football coach for the Lafayette 56ers Youth Football League since 1991 and has served on their Board of Directors for eighteen years.  As President of the 56ers for the past thirteen years, he has helped the league grow to more than 250 participants per year.  The Northwest Indiana Chapter of the National Football Foundation awarded him the Outstanding Contributor to Amateur Football in 2006.  John has been a mentor in the Lafayette School Corporation Access to Success Program since 2006.

Eddy R. Davis
1958

While at Jefferson High School, Eddy was involved in Band, Orchestra, Hoof Beats, Hi-Y, Red and Black Revue, Pep Band, Junior Revue, and Senior Revue.  In junior high school Eddy started playing music – originally drums, tympani, string bass, tuba, woodwinds and brass.  For a while he played guitar with John King and the King’s Men.   At the age of 14, he was playing with a tenor dance band called Paul Kenny’s Medicine Men.  In 1958, as a senior in high school, he was drafted on banjo by a Dixieland band called The Salty Dogs.  The Dogs were one of the 1950’s college bands and were at Purdue University.  They performed as the opening act for college shows all around the Midwest and opened for such musical acts as The Kingston Trio, The Four Freshman, and George Shearing.

Eddy received his formal training at Purdue University, Chicago University, and both the Cosmopolitan and Chicago Conservatories of Music.  He has appeared on stage at most major concert venues throughout the world including:  Paris’  Olympia Theatre, London’s Royal Festival Hall, and New York’s famed Carnegie Hall.  In May 2006  Eddy was inducted into the American Banjo Museum’s Hall of Fame. He has performed with Jabbo Smith, Turk Murphy, George Brunis, the original Dukes of Dixieland, Tom Waits, Leon Redbone, George Segal, Gene Krupa, Freddie Hubbard, and Benny Goodman. In his association with filmmaker Woody Allen, Eddy has acted in and written original music for his productions and is musical director of the The New Orleans Jazz Band (Allen featured on clarinet) that appears at New York City’s Upper East Side supper club The Café Carlyle.

Whether as a creator, conductor, producer, and/or director, Eddy has been the innovative force behind such projects as:  The New York Banjo Ensemble; the Jazz Leggs Revue at Berlin, Germany’s famed vaudeville house the Friedrichstadt Palast; III Music (The New York Society for the Preservation of Illegitimate Music); The Early Tin Pan Alley Orchestra; two seasons of the New York in Messina festival of Messina, Sicily; and the revival of the 1920’s musical Whoopee.   The last several years Eddy has settled into his writing.  He composes book, music, and lyrics for theater, string quartets, and orchestral works.   

Jeffrey A. Collins
1987

While attending Jefferson High School, Jeff was the captain of the swim team and earned the most valuable player and mental attitude awards. He won sectional championship events, competed at the state championship swim meet two years, set Jefferson High School swimming records, and earned four varsity letters in swimming. He was also active in Student Council, a member of the National Honor Society, and earned a Jeffersonian Scholarship Award for his work in drafting and construction technologies courses.

After graduation, Jeff entered Purdue University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1991. He was a member of the Purdue Reserve Officers Training Corps and was commissioned as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the Air Force upon graduation. He taught English at the United States Air Force Academy. He earned a Master of Science in Technical Communication from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Doctorate in Rhetoric from Carnegie Mellon University. At the Air Force Academy, Jeff directed the freshman writing courses, taught advanced speech and technical communication courses to senior students, and eventually served as the Deputy Head for the English Department after his academic promotion to Associate Professor. Jeff supported the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board as a technical writer, authoring the Board’s study on alternative energy sources and energy security for Air Force installations worldwide.

Jeff commanded two Air Force Squadrons in his career. As the commander of the 966^th Aerospace Expeditionary Squadron at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jeff commanded over 900 Airmen at 73 different combat outpost across Afghanistan. As the commander of the 19^th Services Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, he ran various programs to support

5,200 military and civilian personnel and 49,000 retirees. He co-directed Little Rock’s 2008 base airshow featuring the Navy’s Blue Angels.

Jeff is a Cyber Operations Officer and was honored as the Field Grade Officer of the Year in 2005. In 2007 Jeff earned a Joint Service Commendation Medal for his service on the Computer Network Defense team deployed to Baghdad, Iraq. He earned a Bronze Star Medal after completing over 330 outside-the-wire combat missions as an Air Expeditionary Squadron Commander in Afghanistan. In January 2013, Jeff was promoted to Colonel.

Dustin K. Keller
2003

While at Jefferson High School, Dustin was a three sport standout in football, basketball, and track. During his senior year, he was the state’s leading wide receiver in football with 114 receptions in 2002, was second team All-State as a small forward in basketball, and he was the high jump state champion in Indiana, clearing 6’9” in a steady rain after coming in second to Philadelphia 76er’s Rodney Corley with a jump of 6’10”. Dustin was named one of the top 50 receivers in the nation by Street & Smith’s and first team all-state as a senior after setting state records with 113 receptions and 1804 yards (16.0 average) with 22 touchdowns. He was a Mr. Football finalist.

Upon graduation, Dustin attended Purdue University earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership. During his freshman year at Purdue, he was redshirted and switched from wide receiver to tight end. Dustin earned the full-time starting job in his redshirt sophomore year. His senior year, Dustin was voted Most Valuable Offensive Player in the Motor City Bowl in 2007. His teammates voted him Purdue’s Most Valuable Player that same season.

In 2008, Dustin was selected in the National Football League first round by the New York Jets. In the five seasons to follow, Dustin became an important piece of the offense while leading the team in receiving for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. During these seasons, the Jets made back-to-back AFC championship game appearances.

While in New York, Dustin started the Dustin Keller Foundation with the goal of helping families focus on their children’s abilities in the face of whatever challenges may arise. He is also involved in a meal and mentorship program for inner city youth in New York City. Dustin volunteers time and makes donations to Camp Manitou in the New York City area for youth who have lost parent(s); and works with Reebok to supply uniforms, helmets, etc. to the Automotive Tech High School in New York City. Dustin has supplied helmets, shoulder pads, and jerseys to the Lafayette School Corporation’s 6^th grade football program and purchased a scoreboard for the Jefferson High School Athletic Department.

Dustin is currently a free agent.

Jack E. Schult
1956

While at Jefferson High School, Jack was in the Senior Play, Ushers, Performers Club, Jeff Hi-Y, Red and Black Revue, Tennis and SPOT.

Upon graduating from Jefferson High School, Jack attended Purdue University earning both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Secondary Administration and Supervision.

Jack taught Driver Education, Health, and Physical Education at Jefferson High School from 1963-2006 and served as Department Head of Physical Education and Health from 1970-2006. He was General Manager of the Lafayette Sports Center from 1959-1961. Jack was a Junior Varsity Football Coach for 10 years; Junior Varsity Basketball Coach 9 years; Junior Varsity Baseball Coach 8 years; Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach 5 years;  Varsity Tennis Coach 3 years, and Varsity Basketball Coach 2 years. Jack was the Tennis Instructor in the Recreation Department at Purdue University for 3 years; City Tennis Director and Coach 5 years and City Baseball Coach 5 years for the City Recreation Department. He was a Junior Varsity Football and Basketball Coach 3 years at Central Catholic High School and Basketball Coach 3 years and Basketball Coach 4 years at St. Ann’s Elementary.

Jack developed and taught Physical Education Practicum at Jefferson High School from 1980 until 2006. He is the past Chairman of the Jefferson High School Alumni Hall of Fame serving for 14 years and was instrumental in obtaining the donation of $3.5 million for the

Performing Arts Center at Jefferson High School.

Jack was inducted into the Indiana Tennis Hall of Fame in 1998 and was voted City All Star Baseball Coach 2 years. His teams won the City Baseball Championship 2 years; played in the Final 4 of the National Baseball Championship 2 years; won the State High School Tennis Championship in 1975 and was runner-up in 1976.

The 1975 State Tennis Crown was Jack’s first as a head coach, but as an assistant coach he had input in four titles in three different sports. Jack was the North Central Conference Coach of the year 1975 and 1976; State Tennis Coach of the Year 1975; Nominee for the National Tennis Coach of the Year 1975. He was the first assistant coach to be elected to the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Board of Directors. Jack received the State Coaches Basketball Award for the development of players on the junior varsity level.

Cortney A. Wolfson
2003

While at Jefferson High School, Cortney was a member of the First Edition Show Choir for three years; Varsity Singers for two years; Second Chair Flute in the Wind Ensemble; Cheerleader; Junior Class President; in 2003 she was Indiana Junior Miss, Tippecanoe County Junior Miss, and 2^nd Runner-Up to America’s Junior Miss. Cortney had the lead in West Side Story; was involved in Jefferson Players and was a member of the National Honor Society.

Upon graduation from Jefferson High School, Cortney attended the University of Michigan and graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Music Theatre. While there, she

participated in concerts benefitting Gilda’s Club. Cortney was a performer/producer of THE BENEFIT – fundraising event in Ann Arbor, Michigan for Cystic Fibrosis in 2006. Cortney was also involved in the BE YOU BEST SELF PROGRAM through America’s Junior Miss in 2003 (now Distinguished Young Woman of America) and an Elementary Student Outreach Program.

Cortney has been involved in charity work with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS from 2007 to the present; taking collections after Broadway and tour performances for Broadway 3 on Charity. She was a part of ASTEP (Artist’s Striving to End Poverty) in 2012, through a concert benefitting the organization in Boston, MA.

Cortney has performed on Broadway in LES MISERABLES (Ensemble and Eponine Understudy) and THE ADDAMS FAMILY (Ensemble and Wednesday Understudy). She has been on Broadway National Tours in THE ADDAMS FAMILY (Wednesday Addams) and LEGALLY BLOND (Serena/Brook Wyndham). Cortney has been in Regional Tours in POOL BOY World Premier at Barrington Stages (Pittsfield, MA) and various shows at THE MUNY (St. Louis, Missouri).

Dr. Scott D. Hanback
1989

As a member of the marching band, Scott represented Jefferson High School at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, Walt Disney World and other venues.  He also played trumpet for the symphonic band, First Edition Show Choir and other groups.  Upon graduation, Scott attended Taylor University earning a B.S. in Education, Purdue University earning a M.S. in Education, and Indiana State University earning a Ph.D. in Educational Administration. Scott started his teaching career at Mintonye Elementary School in Lafayette as a third grade Teacher; then became an Assistant Principal and Principal at Hershey Elementary School, Principal of Wainwright Middle School, Superintendent of the Metropolitan School District of Wabash County in Wabash, IN, and then Superintendent of Tippecanoe School Corporation.

Scott earned his Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Administration at the age of 31, beginning a career as a Superintendent of Schools at age 33, ultimately leading the 13^th largest K-12 school corporation in the State of Indiana at age 36.  The Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents named Scott the 2013 West Central District Superintendent of the year,

The Indiana Association of Public School Superintendent’s Association elected Scott as its President in 2015 to serve as an agent for the superintendency to help influence significant decisions pertaining to the education of all school children in the State of Indiana.  He is a founding member of the steering committee for the Community Commitment to Education: Read to succeed.  Through his leadership, the Tippecanoe School Corporation received the prestigious Lighthouse Energy Stewardship award for continual improvements in energy conservation efforts, including being the first Indiana school district to power school buses with propane fuel.  He facilitated the creation of the Instructional Improvement Block (IIB) – a daily professional development time for teachers.

Scott has served various community groups, including the Lafayette Family YMCA Board of Directors, Ivy Tech Community College Regional Board of Trustees-Lafayette Chairman, The Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette Board of Directors and Public Schools Foundation Tippecanoe County Board of Directors. 

John C. Vellinger
1984

While attending Jefferson High School, John earned two varsity letters in swimming, played on the basketball team, and was a member of the National Honor Society.  He was selected to attend Hoosier Boys State and was elected Outstanding Citizen.  John also was selected for an United States Air Force ROTC Scholarship.

Begun while an eighth-grade student at Tecumseh Junior High, John’s science project, nicknamed “Chix in Space”, launched aboard the ill-fated Space Shuttle Challenger in January 1986.  For this famed experiment, he designed and built the hardware and trained astronauts Christa McAuliffe and Barbara Morgan to operate it.  Following the devastating loss of the Challenger, his experiment went on to successfully re-fly on Space Shuttle Discovery in March 1989.  The project was so successful that Vellinger, along with the Discovery crew, were honored at the White House by President George H. W. Bush. 

A publicity campaign centering on his “Chix in Space” experiment was conducted world-wide by Kentucky Fried Chicken, which had sponsored the project.  News outlets picking up the story included Time magazine, Science magazine, USA Today, Business Week,  Forbes, The Washington Post, Weekly Reader, CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC and many, many others.  In all, coverage of the experiment totaled more than 25 million media impressions.  Lesson plans about the experiment also were developed and distributed to schools throughout the US.

After graduating from Purdue University with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering with an emphasis on biomedical engineering, John went on to co-found Techshot, Inc., in 1988. At Techshot he managed the development of innovative new equipment for commercial, government, and medical applications that have the potential to aid in the treatment of major diseases such as diabetes and osteoporosis.  He designed research equipment that has flown on the International Space Station (ISS), seven space shuttle missions and three sub-orbital rocket flights. Vellinger trained Astronaut John Glenn to operate equipment he developed for the Space Shuttle Discovery mission STS-95 in 1998.  The company has become a leading provider of devices and technologies that enable humans to explore the universe beyond our planet, including the first medical diagnostic X-ray machine ever flown in space.

Besides NASA, government customers include the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  Commercial customers include Fortune 100 companies such as Procter & Gamble and the Coca-Cola Company.  He also co-founded IKOTECH, LLC a medical device company, and Techshot Lighting, LLC, a manufacturer of rugged and energy efficient LED lighting systems.  Vellinger has earned seven US Patents and one international patent and has authored numerous technical publications.

John is also very active in his community and church.  He has been on several mission trips – building houses for families in Mexico and remodeling orphanages in Ukraine.  He also works in the community with teenagers and mentors them through his internship programs at work and speaking engagements.  John encourages students to dream big and touch the stars!

TENECIA S. WADDELL
1997

While at Jefferson High School, Tenecia was on the Jeff Booster Staff as reporter, illustrator and editor.  She was one of the founders and elected President of the Minority Awareness Coalition.  Tenecia was recognized by the honor society and was a part of the challenge art program.

After graduating a semester early, Tenecia pursued higher education at both Ivy Tech Community College and Purdue University.  She started her career in law enforcement by becoming a Corrections Officer with the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Department in 2001.  In 2008, she answered the calling to protect and serve and became a Police Officer with the Purdue University Police Department becoming the first and only African-American Female Police Officer in Tippecanoe and surrounding counties.

Tenecia has a true commitment to serving the community.  She has quietly accomplished so much through her volunteer activities.  To highlight a few; she teaches self-defense classes, has been featured as a presenter and guest speaker at various engagements,  Tenecia reads to children at local schools, mentors at-risk youth, participates in the Shop with a Cop program and assists yearly with the PALS children summer camp and created a gang awareness program for them.

She has a passion for striving to bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement by being involved in the schools, participating in or hosting community events and being accessible to the public.  Tenecia was a founding member of the Dog Park Association of Greater Lafayette and is co-founder of Delivering Smiles Tippecanoe which raises money to assist local public safety employees in times of emergency need.  Tenecia is on the Ultimate Pink Party committee (annual fundraiser for the YWCA Women’s Cancer Program).  She is a past board member of the local Big Brothers Big Sisters, Sexual Assault Prevention Coalition and a 2014 LSC Task Force VI committee member. The Purdue University Black Caucus of Faculty and Staff has also appointed Tenecia to its executive board. 

Tenecia graduated Cum Laude and with Phi Theta Kappa Honors from IvyTech with an AS Degree in Criminal Justice.  Tenecia’s proudest accomplishment is being the mother of three sons Ameer, Naseer and Xavier Detrick, two of which currently attend Jefferson High School.  Through her perseverance and dedication to her family, career and community, Tenecia has made a positive impact by being a role model of great ethics and integrity. She is an inspiration and continues to give back to the community.

Awards: 

2014 YWCA Salute to Women Honoree – Woman of Innovation Honoree

2014 Awarded State of Indiana Proclamation for Achievements

Gilbert H. Young, Jr.
1966 

While at Jefferson High School Gilbert was a member of the Jeff Concert Band for three years and its president in his senior year.  He played trombone as a member of the Jeff Orchestra and of the Pep Band during his junior and senior years. 

Gilbert attended Purdue two separate times and graduated with honors in History from Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana in 1975.  In between Jefferson High and Bethel College he served in the US Navy and Navy Reserve for eight years, serving as a Signalman aboard destroyers.

Tapping into his love of US History, Gilbert has taken on the role of Theodore  Roosevelt – circa 1915 and has performed across the country as the 26^th President.  He performs regularly at Mt. Rushmore,  Devils Tower, the Strasburg Railroad, and numerous historical museums.  His resume’ includes performances at the Smithsonian Museums of American History, JFK Library, Lincoln’s homes in southern Indiana and Springfield, IL, the Bremerton Navy Club in Washington state, the National Women’s Rights Historic Park as well as hundreds of schools,

Historical societies, festivals and other venues.

He became involved in his community and state as a board member, officer, organizer, and/or a participant in over sixteen state and local organizations and projects over the years.  Gilbert has served on PTO’s, veterans organization boards, historical organization boards, community improvement boards, is a charter member of community vintage baseball clubs, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War camps, and the Indiana Chapter of the Theodore Roosevelt Association, and is a life member of The Mt. Rushmore Society, and Huntington County Historical Society.   He is currently chairing Huntington County’s Indiana Bi-Centennial Celebration.  These venues and about ten other projects and organizations validate his belief that service in your community and to your fellow citizen is the best way to serve your God, your family, and fellow man.

James Blosser
1956

During his four years at Jeff,  Jim participated in Quill and Scroll Society, Nautilus staff, Performers Club, Red and Black, Junior (Directors) and Senior Revues, Hi-Y, Tennis (2 years) Purdue Legislature (top award), Student Government projects, SPOT Club (founder and President), and Boy’s State.

After graduating Jim attended the University of Miami (Florida) and earned  his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1960, and earned his Juris Doctorate in 1965.  While attending Miami, he was active in numerous campus organizations including President of Student Body Government, Chair of the Honor Council, Iron Arrow Honor Society, Sigma Chi fraternity (President), Army ROTC, Scabbard and Blade Society, Omicron Delta Kappa honorary fraternity, and was selected for inclusion in Who’s Who in American Universities.

Jim served on active duty in the U.S. Army (1961-63) after graduating in ROTC and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.  He continued his service in the Army Reserves until 1968, attaining the rank of Captain.

Upon graduating from Law School, he moved to Fort Lauderdale and practiced law with the firm of English, McCaughan an O’Bryan (1965-1987) and was the Managing Partner for the last 7 years. Thereafter, he became General Council with Huizenga Holdings, Inc and Assistant to the Chairman and CEO of Blockbuster Entertainment (1989-98).  His duties included organizing and leading the effort to acquire the Florida Marlins Baseball Franchise (now Miami Marlins); participating in acquiring the Franchise for the Florida Panthers Hockey Club and organizing the Team Managements and acquiring and representing the Miami Dolphins football franchise/team and stadium.  One of his many duties for Blockbuster Entertainment was as President of Blockbuster Park, and to lead the effort to develop a 1600 acre sports and entertainment complex with stadiums, amusement park, hotels, etc.

Following a two year sabbatical, Jim opened his own law firm which became Blosser and Syfie and was active until his retirement in 2014. Jim was an active participant and led many organizations.  He is most proud of being involved with United Way of Broward County(Campaign Chair and Chairman), Broward Community Foundation (Founding Director and 1st President), Performing Arts Center Foundation (Founding Trustee and Construction Fund Raising $40M), Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce (Chair), Homeless Assistance Center of Broward County (Chair of $6M capital campaign), Pine Crest Preparatory School (Board and Chair), Lauderdale Yacht Club (Commodore), University of Miami (National Alumni Board).

He has participated in numerous political activities. He was a delegate to the 1988 and 2000 Republican National Conventions.  Jim was honored to serve as Chair of the Florida Legislative Tax Reform Commission in 2002-04.  Also, in 2002 he was presented the Lifetime Achievement  Award by The Republican Party of Florida.     

P. Stanley Brassie
1958

Stan was a member of the Broncho marching band, pep band, concert band, and dance band, playing first clarinet in the former, and saxophone in the dance band.  He was a member of the marching band that was featured in the 1957 Orange Bowl in Miami.  Stan was a member of the Senior Hi-Y and Junior Achievement programs.  Finally, he was a member of the varsity baseball team and a member of the J-Club.  

Upon graduation he attended Concordia College in Chicago where he was a four year letterman in both basketball and baseball.  He was captain of the Cougars when they were selected twice to play in the NCAA College Division national tournament of basketball.  Stan was later selected to the Concordia College Athletic Hall of Fame.  In addition, his alma mater later honored him with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree (LL.D) for his accomplishments.

Upon graduation from Concordia, Stan attended the University of Iowa where he received
his M.A. and Ph.D in Kinesiology.  At the age of 27 he was the youngest to ever receive a doctorate in his field.  Upon graduation from Iowa,  Stan accepted a position of professor and head basketball coach at Concordia College in Nebraska.  He later became academic division head and athletic director in addition to coaching three sports.  Stan was selected to their Hall of Fame as a coach and athletic director.

In 1973, Stan was selected to chair the Department of Physical Education for Men at Indiana State University.  At ISU he chaired the university faculty senate.  His most famous students were Olympians Larry Bird and Kurt Thomas.   In 1979 the University of Georgia recruited  Dr. Brassie to provide leadership for 27 faculty in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Studies.  During that tenure he was elected President of the 23,000 member National Association of Sport and Physical Education.  As NASPE President, he met with President Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office to discuss the physical fitness of America’s youth.  He received numerous Distinguished Achievement and Honorary Awards.  

While at Georgia he was chosen as a member of the United State Collegiate Sports Council.  He was chosen by the U.S. Olympic Committee to represent them at the International Olympic Forum in Greece.  In 2001, he accepted the position of Executive Director/Secretary  General of the USA International University Sports Federation.  This organization serves as the international arm of the NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, and NACDA which are national associations.    The major event for this group is the World University Winter and Summer Games. More than 50% of the U.S. Olympic teams have previously represented the U.S.A. in these games.  Stan has traveled to 63 countries in his role, twice each to Russia, China and South Korea.   He has also served on an international commission for university sports.

Cindy Taylor Murray
1974

While at Jeff, Cindy was a member of the Jeff Cheer Block, choir programs, Sunshine, and swimming programs.

Upon graduation Cindy attended Ivy Tech and Purdue University where she later was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 2008.  She began her professional career at Lafayette Home Hospital in the Microbiology lab.  After earning additional certifications she held various positions in the medical field for over 25 years.

In 2004 Cindy stepped into public service with her election as the Lafayette City Clerk for four consecutive terms until present.  In addition to this duty ,Cindy has served multiple terms as Board of Works President.  She was also responsible for designing the City Flag, Community Wide Clean Sweep, trail markings at Munger Park, and the Veterans Banners on Veterans Memorial Parkway that bring recognition to the veterans. She introduced the Lighted Christmas parade and recycling promotions throughout the city.  Cindy’s most visible contribution in her elected position was the organization and modernization of public records, making them more accessible to the public.  She initiated the City of Lafayette Employee Wellness programs.

As a community leader, Cindy has served on numerous charitable boards with notable accomplishments that include President of United Way board and the second woman to chair United Way’s annual campaign.  She was the second woman President of the Lafayette Family YMCA and past President of Harrison Kiwanis.  She also serves on the Homestead CS and Area IV boards.  Her involvement with the youth in our community as the Mayor’s Youth Council advisor allows her to mentor and guide the next generation of community leaders.  Cindy is a member of the Ivy Tech Diversity Committee, was an adult sponsor and chaperone for the 2012 Lafayette Youth trip to the sister city Ota City, Japan.  Cindy was a charter and a current member of the Hearing Authority that addresses the most at-risk structures in the City of Lafayette, member of the Animal Control Committee for the City of Lafayette, past board member of Imagination Station, member of Joint Purchasing Board, 2010 Census Committee member and an Honor Flight Guardian.

Randall Pete Vanderveen
1969

While at Jefferson High School, Pete was a member of the  Spanish Club, German Club, President of the Young Republicans Group, played Intramural Basketball and played baseball through Colt League.  After graduating Pete attended Purdue University graduating in 1976 with a B.S. in Pharmacy and a M.S. in Clinical Pharmacy in 1978.  He completed an ASHP-Accredited Residency in Hospital Pharmacy at Bronson Methodist Medical Center in 1978.  Dr. Vanderveen earned a Ph.D. degree from Michigan State University in 1988 and was Board Certified in Psychiatric Pharmacy (BCPP) practice in 1998.

Dr. Vanderveen spent his entire career in academic pharmacy as a faculty member/administrator.  Beginning as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at Ferris State University in 1978 and moving through the ranks at Ferris State, Oregon State University, Duquesne University and finally, the University of Southern California.  Dr. Vanderveen served as Professor, Department Chair, Assistant Dean, and Dean (in two institutions) over the course of an almost 40 year career.  In addition, Dr. Vanderveen has served on the Board of Directors for Mylan Pharmaceuticals from 2002 until the present.  Dr. Vanderveen is currently, Professor of Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy, Senior Advisor to the Leonard Schaeffer Center for Health Economics and Policy, and Director of the John Biles Leadership Center at the School of Pharmacy at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.

Dr. Vanderveen was instrumental in enhancing the USC School of Pharmacy efforts to provide care for the underserved through expanding faculty and student work in safety-net clinics throughout Los Angeles, earning the school top national community outreach awards including the American Pharmacists Association Pinnacle Award (2007), American Society of Health System Pharmacists Best Practices Award (2008) and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Inaugural Award for Transformative Community Services (2009).

Additionally, Dr. Vanderveen has personally received numerous awards, most recently the American Pharmacists Association Pharmacy Dean of the year (2013), the California Pharmacists Association Bowl of Hygeia Award (2011) and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Great Communicator Award (2010).  He was named Pharmacist of the Year from the Michigan Society of Hospital Pharmacists (1986), Board of Director’s Award from both the Michigan (1985) and Oregon Societies (1990) and was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus by the Purdue School of Pharmacy (2002), and received the Glen Sperandio Award in 2004 for his efforts in advancing clinical pharmacy practice.

Most recently, Dr. Vanderveen worked with the California legislature to successfully pass a Senate Bill that was the first law in the U.S. that recognizes pharmacists as providers of health care and establishes independent prescribing authority of advanced practice pharmacists.

Francisco Javier Ramirez, 2000
Gary D. Henriott, 1968
Marilyn Hughes Frantz, 1972
William G. Niemantsverdriet, 1954

2020 Induction
Induction Canceled

Debi Anne Kopf Bishop
Graduated 1974

While a student at Jeff, Debi learned a lot about life from her P.E. teacher, Ms. A.  She tried out for the volleyball team and while not making it, she showed up every day and became an alternate.   By the end of the season was named Most Valuable Player.  She also coached the 7th grade volleyball team.  Managing and working on a team gave her the invaluable skills she carries with her to this day.

As mid-term graduate, Debi bought a one-way ticket, purchased $125 in travelers checks and left in October for Florida.  She joined the Hospitality Industry at 18 as a part time server in a Holiday Inn Hotel, and eventually she worked her way up to the top where she is today.  Though Debi did not attend college, through the years she did attend many industry related training programs including the Cornell University General Manager Program in 2006.

Debi then moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband, where she began her career in the Hotel Industry.   Debi worked her way up from banquets, to catering sales, and finally to director of sales.  This gave her the foundation for working in a lot of different areas needed to be successful within the industry.

Debi has and continues to be a mentor for numerous people in hospitality for all career levels up to and including General Manager.

Debi is currently the Managing Director of Hilton’s largest hotel in the world:  Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort on the island of Oahu and Hilton Waikolao Village on the Big Island of Hawaii – two resorts on two different islands with 2,900 rooms and 1,986 team members.

Debi has received Hotel of the Year honors during her tenure as General Manager - 2016, 2005, 1986 and 1985.  She has also received the Chairman’s Award.  

Edward Chosnek
Graduated 1963

While at Jefferson High School Edward played tennis and was a member of the Hi-Y.  Speech teacher, James Hawker, helped Edward overcome his shyness in regard to public speaking, and math teacher, David Reeve, helped him succeed in Honors Math.

Following graduation in 1965, Edward attended Purdue University graduating in 1969 and graduated from Indiana University Law School in 1972.  He then began practicing law in Lafayette. 

Edward has served as the City Attorney of Lafayette since 2004, has served as Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Panel Trustee since 1981, and is Past President of the Tippecanoe County Bar Association.  He was admitted to practice in all Indiana State Courts, U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana and U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit along with being a Panel Trustee U.S. Trustee Program Department of Justice and a Registered Civil Mediator.

Edward is a former board member of Family Service Agency, Tippecanoe County Historical Association, and Tippecanoe County Legal Aid Corp.  He currently serves as a member of the Art Museum Foundation.

Edward is Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lafayette Community Bank; Multi-Family and Commercial Real Estate Development in Tippecanoe County, and Corporation Counsel – City of Lafayette 2004-2021. 

Herbert A. Denney
Graduated 1961

While a student at Jefferson High School, Herb was a member of the Hi-Y, Acapella and was active in his church youth group.  After high school, he enrolled at Indiana Central College, now the University of Indianapolis, where he majored in Business.  After three years, Herb returned to Lafayette to work at Purdue National Bank.  He later joined the Air Force, where he served for four years.  Upon his honorable discharge, he completed his education and enrolled at Ball State University, where he earned his BS and MAE.

Herb taught Industrial Technology for one year at MSD of Wabash County, Indiana and 38 years in the Lafayette School Corporation.  In 2000, Indiana made drastic changes to the IT curriculum, now known as Engineering and Technology Education.  With the help of the school administration, the community and the IT department at Jefferson High School, Herb and his colleagues were able to create a curriculum that was beneficial to the students, such as Computer Aided Design, Project Lead the Way and Computer Numerical Control.  Herb also co-sponsored the Senior Class from 1987-1999 – transforming the main gym into a night of magic.  He is a life member of the National Education Association and the Indiana State Teachers Association and was an active member of the Lafayette Education Association.

Herb continues to be active in his church.  He has served multiple terms on the Trustees (several as chairperson), chaired two major building committees, and has been a member of the Administrative Council.
 

William G. Vanderveen
Graduated 1940

After high school, William “Bill”, enlisted in the U. S. Navy, serving four years and saw action and combat as a “gunner” on small and treacherous escort ships protecting fleets of supply ships transporting essential weapons, troops and supplies to Europe during World War II.  

Upon an honorable discharge, Bill was hired by the Lafayette Fire Department as a firefighter.  While he was a firefighter he purchased a used dump truck and small bulldozer and started his own one-man trucking company (Vanderveen Trucking Company).

In 1962, Bill was hired by the City of Lafayette as Commissioner of Streets. In 1966 he was named Controller, serving for eight years.  In 1974 he was elected Tippecanoe County Commissioner – District 1 and was re-elected in 1978 and 1982.  He was elected President of the County Commission in 1980.  Bill was a leading advocate for Lafayette’s railroad relocation and renovation of the Tippecanoe County Courthouse.  He was also instrumental in getting the new bridge over the Wabash River from the southside of Lafayette to Purdue University.  Bill was a member and President of Greater Lafayette Area Planning Commission, served as President of Tippecanoe County Convention & Visitors Commission, awarded a citation from Governor Richard Lugar for Sustained Contributions as a Dedicated Public Servant; received a citation from American Legion Post 11 for Outstanding Contributions to Veterans and a citation from President Ronald Reagan for Courageous and Selfless Service in the Armed Forces of the United States.

Aaron Glick
Graduated 2002

While at Jeff, Aaron was in Forensics, Jefferson Players, Varsity Singers and First Edition choirs. After graduation, Aaron moved to New York and attended Marymount Manhattan College to pursue acting. Not realizing there were options in theater besides acting, he discovered a passion for producing as a student at MMC. He switched his major to focus on getting a career in the business of theater and received a B.A. in Theater Studies in 2006.

Aaron’s first job was a talent agent; however, he soon learned of a dream opportunity he had to pursue. He began working as a three-month unpaid intern with the highly acclaimed Broadway Producer David Stone on the musical, Wicked. At the end of the internship, Aaron was offered a full-time position where he has remained ever since, building an impressive production resume working with others and in his own right.

Extremely talented in music and theater, Aaron combined his skills with a good sense of business and marketing to become an award-winning producer. In 2019, Aaron won a Tony Award, the highest honor given in American theater, for The Boys in the Band. At the same time, he was also a Tony nominee for What the Constitution Means to Me. In 2016, he won an Olivier Award, the British equivalent of the Tony, for his production contributions in Gypsy. In 2013, he was the recipient of the Hal Prince T Fellowship Award for emerging theatrical producers. Aaron’s other Broadway, Touring and West End Credits include the upcoming release of Kimberly Akimbo and Topdog/Underdog, and the previously produced: What the Constitution Means to Me, I Juliet, The Boys in the Band, Fully Committed, and The Old Man and the Moon. Aaron has also worked with David Stone on such shows as: Three Days of Rain, The 24th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Next to Normal, I/Then, and War Paint.

Aaron is a founding member and current Board Chair of the Musical Theater Factory, a non-profit dedicated to artists services and development for underprivileged voices in the musical theater. Responsible for the bulk of the fund-raising, he supports the artistic staff in strategic planning. As a member the Broadway League, he speaks and teaches as a part of the Commercial Theater Institute which is the continuing education service provider of the league.

Jeffery J. Newell
Graduated 1973

Jeff was a junior when WJJE-FM, the original name of WJEF-FM, first went on air. He was the first student to do play-by-play for both football and basketball games. Jeff was president of the Broncho Broadcasters, participated in Boys State, was a member of both the National Honor Society and Student Council, and graduated third in his class. Jeff was also a proud member of the 1973 Jeff state championship baseball team and scored the winning run in an 8-6 victory over LaPorte in the title game. While a student at Jeff, he also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

Jeff’s sports broadcasting experience led him to work for four years at the Lafayette Journal & Courier as a sportswriter while attending Purdue University. He graduated summa cum laude in 1977 completing two degrees: a B.S. in Management and a B.A. in Journalism. Jeff then attended Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington, IN, graduating magna cum laude in 1980. 

Jeff then returned to Lafayette, working nearly 42 years at the law firm Ball Eggleston PC, before retiring in 2022. He held top leadership roles in the Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Purdue Exponent, Legal Aid of Tippecanoe County, the Tippecanoe Bar Association, and was a frequent presenter at the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum. He also assisted with Boy Scouts-Troop 303, the Lafayette Gus Macker 3 on 3 charity basketball tournament, and served many years on the board of directors for the Broncho Booster Club. Jeff was the recipient of the 1999 Pro Bono Pubico Award and the Certificate of Excellence in 2004, both from the Indiana State Bar Association. He has remained involved with St. Mary Cathedral Haiti Committee and in the PARISH Twinning Program of America which helps impoverished Catholic communities in Haiti and Latin America. 

Jeff’s true passion is with St. Mary Cathedral’s Haiti ministry which he and his wife, Sharon, started in 1999. Together, the Newell family has led over 20 mission trips to Pendus, Haiti. Jeff has also authored a book Open Your Eyes, Life Lessons Learned in Haiti.

Ted D. Schilling
Graduated 1979

While at Jeff, Ted participated in JV basketball, A Capella choir (singer, base viol and base guitar accompanist), Orchestra (base viol), Jazz Band (base guitar), and was Junior Class President, and a member of the National Honor Society. Following graduation, Ted earned a B.A. in Construction Engineering and Management from Purdue University in 1984.

From 1984-1996, Ted worked for Texas Instruments. Among his many accomplishment, he was facilities operations manager of its highest producing semiconductor plant and earned a U.S. patent for semiconductor process design.

At Hynix Semiconductor (1996-2000), Ted was the youngest engineering site manager for the high volume (dram) dynamic random-access memory facility in the industry. He also led the fastest facilities increase of a dram facility in the industry.
From 2001-2021, he led design and business development organization for multiple global consulting firms. Subject matter included advanced manufacturing facilities, global data centers, municipal wastewater treatment, desalination, and marine and airport facilities.
Ted was the site services manager at SEH America, from 2006-2009; the largest silicon manufacturing facility in North and South America. He led many initiatives including environment, health, safety, construction, and site selection.

In 2021, he began as the global director of engineering at Seagen, a pharmaceutical company revolutionizing cancer care where he leads global optimization and standardization initiatives. Besides his career, in 2022, Ted became a successful global crypto mining entrepreneur and investor in high production mining operations based in Singapore.

Some of Ted’s numerous contributions to his community include: elder at churches in Texas and Oregon, base player in worship bands, assistant director and director of girls softball, girls basketball coach, Oregon Food Bank volunteer, parent volunteer in math, science, and music departments at multiple schools, and an adoption family for several animal rescues.

Morris Stampfer
Graduated 1956

While at Jeff, Morris worked on the Jeff Booster for three years, serving as co-editor his senior year. He also reported on the Jeff athletics for the Lafayette Leader newspaper. Morris participated in Student Government, was vice-president of his class, served on Student Council, was valedictorian and a National Merit Scholarship winner.

After graduation, Morris attended the University of Pittsburgh majoring in chemistry. He was elected to both Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa fraternities, the latter being an honorary leadership fraternity. Morris graduated summa sum laude in only three years.

Morris then attended Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, NY. He was elected class president for four years and worked on the school yearbook. Upon graduation, Morris worked two years as an intern and resident at Bronx Municipal Hospital Center, now called Jacobi Hospital. He completed his residency in Maryland in the U.S. Public Health Service, working in the Cardiology Branch of the National Heart Institute. He contributed to several published papers, including as first author, and served as Chief Resident in his final year. After completing his residency, Morris returned to New York as a licensed doctor to work for Albert Einstein College of Medicine and its affiliates. Over the ensuing 52 years, he held different roles teaching at Einstein while practicing internal medicine and cardiology in private practice in New Rochelle, NY. After 30 years, Morris closed his practice and returned to Jacobi Hospital in 2006 where remained until the onset of the Covid pandemic in 2020. Now 95% retired, he still teaches a class at Einstein Hospital and interviews applicants for the medical school.
Morris has been very involved in Jewish organizations as well as several synagogues, also serving as Synagogue President. 

He shared, “I feel strongly that my time at Jeff, both curricular and extra-curricular, was an excellent preparation for college, career training, and life in the grown-up world.”

2023 Induction
No Inductions

Timothy A. Davis
Graduated 1970

While at Jeff. Tim participated in the Acapella choir and was also a Broncho cheerleader. His years were filled with lots of fun, good times with friends, and attending many sporting events. After graduation, he volunteered for military service enlisting in the United States Air Force (USAF). Honorably discharged in 1975, he returned to Indiana with the rank of buck sergeant. Using the G.I. Bill, he enrolled in Indiana University accepting a position with the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (AFROTC). Graduating with distinction, he received his bachelor’s degree in forensic science and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant.

Tim was selected to attend the AF Office of Special Investigations Academy in Washington, D. C. and was stationed in Arizona after graduation. Assigned to Adana, Turkey in 1981, he returned state side in 1982 as a Detachment Commander and stationed at Tyndall AFB, FL. He deployed to Grenada during U.S. Operation Urgent Fury. Named Officer of the Year he was selected by the Air Force Institute of Technology to attend George Washington University where he received his Graduate Degree in Forensic Science while completing a Fellowship in Forensic Pathology at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He received additional training and education at the Smithsonian and the Cooke County Medical Examiner’s Office in Chicago, IL.
In 1985, he was the Regional Forensic Consultant (RFC) assigned to Lowry AFB, CO. He provided hands-on assistance and guidance on hundreds of criminal and white-collar crime investigations to 24 Air Force installations, and Tim was the first in the Air Force to test/use the portable argon laser in the identification/collection of physical evidence. As a member of the Department of Defense Family Advocacy Command Assistance Team he investigated cases of child sexual abuse with multiple victims. Tim was an author of the AF’s Emergency Medical Training Program, teaching ER staff in the disciplines of forensic science. His hard work earned him Officer of the Year once again.

He became the Regional Forensic Consultant in the Pacific Rim, at Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines in 1988, supporting all branches of the U.S. military’s criminal and white-collar crime investigations in Korea, Japan, Okinawa, and Guam. He investigated the terrorist bombings and led a terrorist assassination team’s investigation into the death of Lieutenant Colonel Nick Rowe, USA, Manila. He supported subsequent investigations of terrorist assassinations of U.S. civilians and fellow Airmen near Clark Air Force Base, Philippines. His expertise was critical in the successful murder investigation of a fellow Special Agent’s wife that resulted in the creation of episodes on the Discovery Channel and Forensic Files.

From 1991-1999, Tim served as a HQ Air Force level staff officer, a detachment commander and a vice commander. From 1999-2001, he served as the Director of Special Programs and Policy, HQ Air Force, Pentagon. He then served as Squadron Commander, Yokota Air Base, Japan from 2001-2004. In 2004, Tim was also wing level commander at the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations Region HQ, Scott AFB, IL. In 2006, he deployed to Afghanistan as Chief of Human and Counterintelligence for U.S. Combined Forces and the International Security Assistance Force-NATO. He retired in 2007 with the rank of Colonel. From 2009-2019, Tim served in the Senior Executive Service as Department of Defense, Director of Security Policy. He then served as the Department of Defense, Senior Advisor to the President Insider Threat Task Force. Finally, in 2019, Tim retired as Director of Strategic Planning from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Service and as a Fellow from the American of Forensic 
Sciences.

Today, Tim volunteers with Capital Caring, assisting and comforting Veterans in hospice. He also volunteers with Catholic charities and a local mission feeding and helping the homeless.

Betty Bolyard Schnepp
Graduated 1959

While attending Jeff, Betty participated in a variety of activities and school clubs, taking on numerous leadership roles:  A Cappella choir, (officer) Sunshine Society, Student Council, Sport Lard, Broncho Broadcasters, and Cheerleading. She was also in Tri-Hi-Y (Sargent at Arms and Chaplin), Red and Black Revue, and Secretary and Treasurer for her class. These would help build the foundation for the lifelong values, skills, and passion she carried throughout her life and passed along to many others. 

After graduation, Betty attended Purdue University graduating in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education followed later by a Masters in Physical Education in 1973. At Purdue she participated in intramural sports for swimming, archery, and golf, while being a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. Betty’s long and distinguished career started first as a P.E. teacher and girl’s coach, at Central Catholic High School in 1963. This also began her strong advocation for young women and girls to be able to compete equally in sports at all levels, something Betty herself had been denied. Title IX, the federal legislation that gave women athletes the right to equal opportunity in sports from elementary to colleges and universities, was still 10 years away from being passed in 1972. 

Betty spent seven years at Central Catholic coaching girls’ sports for free because she wanted to give all girls a chance to participate in organized sports. In 1970, she became the first women’s physical education and health teacher at newly opened Harrison High School; eventually being named the chairman of the Physical Education Department. In her first year at Harrison, she started and coached three girls’ sports programs:  swimming, volleyball, and track and field. In 1972 in the new era of Title IX, she stepped up to use her leadership and influence to advocate for girls’ sports on a statewide level becoming a charter member of the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association (ICGSA) 

In 1974, her volleyball team finished runner up in the first girls IHSAA Volleyball State Championship. Later in 1974, her girls track and field team won the first girls IHSAA Track and Field State Championship. Not content, in 1976, Betty also started and coached the Harrison girls’ gymnastics program; leading fund-raising efforts to purchase the team equipment and uniforms. She also started the annual Harrison Gymnastics Invitational. Over the years her gymnasts won four sectional titles and four conference championships. During the summer, Betty organized and ran summer gymnastics clinics at Harrison and taught driver’s education for the Tippecanoe School Corporation; a rare sight in those days.

In the community, Betty was actively involved as a mentor and officer in her Zeta Tau Alpha Alumni Chapter, the Kappa Kappa Sigma Sorority for various community service projects, and the Indiana State Retired Teachers Association beginning in 2007 after retiring from teaching and coaching after 44 years.

Betty has been deservingly recognized for her contributions to girls’ sports by her peers, receiving the ICGSA-Women’s Sports Award in 1975 along with the International Women’s Year Sports Award from the Purdue Women’s Caucus and Women’s Political Caucus Programs. Additionally, she received the ICGSA-20-30 and 40 Years Award for her career in coaching. She was named Conference Coach of the Year 12 different times between the Olympic and Hoosier Conferences. In January 2024, TSC and Harrison High School honored her lifetime legacy by naming the track and field at the high school the “Betty Bolyard Track and Field.” 

Betty was a true pioneer in the push for equality for women and girls’ sports; leaving a legacy that paved the way for female athletes both past and present. 
the Purdue Women’s Caucus and Women’s Political Caucus Programs. Additionally, she received the ICGSA-20-30 and 40 Years Award for her career in coaching. She was named Conference Coach of the Year 12 different times between the Olympic and Hoosier Conferences. In January 2024, TSC and Harrison High School honored her lifetime legacy by naming the track and field at the high school the “Betty Bolyard Track and Field.” 

Betty was a true pioneer in the push for equality for women and girls’ sports; leaving a legacy that paved the way for female athletes both past and present. 

Erin Ramirez
Graduated 1997