2004

Outstanding Alumni

Lynda Baumgartner

  • Co-owner Image Technologies of Missouri
  • Former Chair of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce
  • Served as United Way Campaign Co-Chair
  • Consistently involved in a number of important educational initiatives for Columbia’s youth, partnering local institutions with the business community
  • Former Columbia Public Schools teacher

Peter Hessler

  • Graduated with distinction from Princeton University Rhodes Scholar
  • Author of the acclaimed memoir, River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze recounting his Peace Corps experience in China
  • Staff writer for The Wall Street Journal and The New Yorker; has written for The Boston Globe, The Atlantic Monthly, and The National Geographic
  • Volunteered for the Columbia youth track program and in several of our elementary schools

Dr. Albert George (AG) Miller

  • Distinguished career as a scholar and community leader
  • Ph.D. in religion at Princeton University
  • Associate Professor of Religion at Oberlin College, teaches American and African-American Religious History and has authored a numerous scholarly texts about religion in African-American culture
  • Ordained minister in The House of The Lord Pentecostal Church and serves on numerous community boards in Oberlin, Ohio

Retired Educators

Ilene Ford

  • Retired after 31 years in Columbia Public Schools
  • Master teacher of social studies
  • Helped open Oakland Junior High, then two years later, Rock Bridge High School
  • At RBHS 18 years, chair of the social studies department and coordinator of extracurricular activities

Dr. Gene Huff (deceased)

  • 21 years at Oakland Junior High, as a counselor and then as Principal
  • 12 years Director of Personnel for Columbia Public Schools
  • Worked to develop the Fellows Program in conjunction with the UMC
  • Instrumental in development of a minority internship program that exposed many African-American college students to the teaching field
  • UMC College of Education Alumni Advisory Board
  • Dr. Huff passed away in January, 2003, and is missed by all who knew him

Dr. Kent Kurtz

  • Graduate of Field Elementary, Jefferson Junior High, Hickman High School and the University of Missouri, PhD in education at UMC
  • Played on the University’s 1953 conference championship and NCAA runner-up baseball team
  • 3 years in the NY Yankees organization playing minor league baseball
  • Served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.
  • Joined the Columbia School District in 1956 as a science teacher and coach at Jefferson Junior High Served as Principal of West Junior Highfrom 1966-73, Director of Physical Education and Athletics for the district from 1973-1981
  • Oversaw the implementation of Title IX, mandating the introduction of girl’s sports

Dr. Roy Willard

  • Served 34 years at Jefferson Junior High, the last 20 as its Principal
  • Started in 1964 teaching German and Social Studies, became Social Studies Department Chair, then Assistant Principal, then Principal
  • During his tenure, JJH received a State Gold Star award and was twice named a national Blue Ribbon School Award winner

Volunteers

Linda Thiele

  • Volunteered in Columbia Public Schools for forty hours a week for 15 years
  • Served as PTA President, Building Volunteer Coordinator, Magazine Sales Chair, Teacher and Staff Appreciation Chair, and Vice President
  • President of the Columbia Council of PTAs for two consecutive years
  • Leadership in the Columbia Parents for Public Schools organization
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