Outstanding Alumni

• Margaret “Peggy” Lemone
• Pamela Stone Otto
• Katherine K. Hanley
• Jack R. Horton
• John Frederick Troelstrup

Outstanding Retired Educators

• Pam R. Conway
• Nancy Fritsch
• John C. Kelly
• James R. Ritter
• Jolene M. Schulz

Outstanding Volunteers

• Lynnanne Baumgardner
• Karen Smith
• Bondi Wood
• Ann Warren

The CPSF Board of Directors congratulates these leaders on their selection.

Outstanding Alumni

Charles Allen

• Charles continues to promote both education and this community in his efforts during retirement.
• He says that he had excellent teachers, coaches and mentors at both schools; his early academic experiences with his teachers at Douglass instilled in him the motivation to excel and to achieve and provided him with a great foundation for a good sense of self and the need to always give back to the community. His two children received excellent educations from the Columbia Public School System, and he looks forward to their granddaughter having the same academic opportunities.

Cary Reed Weatherby

• Cary says of all thirteen members of her family…“through all of our chosen professions, we realize the value of public school education and have been avid supporters of and volunteers in our local schools. The Reed family appreciates the quality education we have all received in the Columbia Public Schools.”
• She now spends much of her time running her non-profit free-store stocked with surplus business products for teachers across her district. Advertised as “A simple concept – offering professional results”.

David R. Wheeler

• David said that Columbia’s Public Schools prepared him well for Princeton and that they also taught him to honor fundamental American values: cooperation, tolerance and respect for diversity. He has seen many fine school systems during the past 45 years, but none finer than Columbia’s.
• It’s also been said of David that “his work has had immeasurable impact on the health and well being of millions of persons worldwide”.

Mark Zwonitzer

• Mark is an accomplished and prolific writer, director and producer of PBS programming…illustrating what he learned here.
• He says “what I absorbed and managed to retain owes to the quality of teachers I had in Columbia. The best teachers shared much more than mere information. They transmitted their own personal passion for their subjects, and they modeled constancy. They showed up to teach every day. From those educators I learned the one big lesson that has guided my own life and career: there is flat-out joy in learning. And that is a gift that abides. Today, when our family dinner-table conversations commence, my son and daughter are not the only ones who have to share. I have to tell them what was the most interesting thing I’d learned that day too. If I come up empty, I know, I haven’t properly honored the legacy of the Columbia Public Schools.”

Retired Educators

Jerri Deming

• Jerri is passionate about early childhood education and laid the groundwork for the effective Parents as Teachers program we enjoy today.
• She says that “CPS is a top notch school district that attracts dedicated, professional and caring educators. It provided me with numerous opportunities, as well as continuous learning experiences. My greatest opportunity came with the implementation of the Parents as Teachers Program. As the first coordinator of this program, I needed to solicit support from community leaders, spread the word to fellow teachers and administrators, and recruit hundreds of parents to enroll. It was actually easier than I expected due to a community that values education and is open to new ideas.”

Phil Driskill

• Phil says “the influence of many master teachers directed me into the profession of education and motivated my return to the school system that had prepared me so well. The success that I have enjoyed is due in no small part to those professionals and the efforts of the many students and parents whom I had the pleasure of working with for the 30 years that I taught in Columbia Public Schools.”
• In his nomination letter it was said that “few teachers could work with students from all points of the learning spectrum as well as Phil.”

Rebecca Litherland

• Becky is honored to work with students and teachers as they developed along their path to excellence. She was encouraged to learn and supported in her efforts to make a difference. Columbia Public Schools represent a standard of excellence that provided her with inspiration and a sense of pride.
• A friend said “through her leadership, science curriculum and instruction across all grade levels became more standardized and effective…She made us better teachers” which in turn impacted thousands of students.

Tony Sloan

• Tony says “upon arrival at Jefferson Junior High in 1972 as a coach and teacher, I was most fortunate to have as fellow teachers: Roy Willard, Bob Burton, Robert Nolke, Nyle Klinginsmith, Kathy Ritter, and Bob Duncan all who later moved on to be principals. John Stolt and Gene Huff were the administrators at Jeff in 1972. When I moved on to the administration ranks in 1986, I worked with Russ Thompson, Hank Fisher, Jim Ritter and Skip Deming. With this group as colleagues, my job was a rewarding experience.”
• The excellence of CPS can be traced to individuals such as Tony Sloan, whose contributions from the classroom, to the athletic fields, to the construction of new schools have been significant.

Bragg Stanley

• Bragg’s enthusiasm and commitment to students could be felt in every effort he led for students. He loved his job and his love was infectious.
• Bragg says “I have always considered it a privilege to have been given the opportunity to serve in the Columbia Public Schools, and I think I took away from the district more than I possibly could have given. CPS gave me the opportunity to work with a wide range of students and their parents, with a dynamic, committed, and caring faculty and staff, as well as with incredibly supportive administrators.”

Volunteers

Denise Boyd

• Denise started volunteering with Columbia Public Schools shortly after moving to Columbia with her young daughter.
• She loved being involved while sharing school experiences with her daughter and her friends; plus she made some good friends along the way. She feels it’s rewarding to feel like you’ve made a difference in some small way.
• A friend said “when Denise undertakes any project it is guaranteed that the community will find a large piece of her personality in the outcome.”

Cheri Ghan

• Cheri “has gone above and beyond what would be expected of a parent…the volunteer of all volunteers,” her nomination letter said.
• “I’m grateful for the opportunity to have seen first-hand the incredible commitment of our teachers, administrators and other staff who have dedicated their professional lives to educating our students. What a privilege it has been to work with others for a common purpose, to make a difference in the lives of children. “

Kate Harry

• Kate said “while I intended my volunteer service at the schools to benefit the students and teachers, I have been rewarded with lasting friendships with other parent volunteers, an awareness of how much our CPS personnel care about their students and an appreciation of community support for our public school system.”
• A friend said, “Kate has been devoted to making the schools in this district better for all students. She has been actively and consistently involved for over 20 years.”

Amy & Rob Myers

• It’s unusual to have a husband and wife both nominated the same year, but wonderful that both parents are so totally immersed in volunteering for our schools and that this commitment was certainly beneficial to Columbia.
• Amy has, among her many volunteer activities, been chairman of book fairs. She is responsible for putting books in the hands of nearly 800 students so all children could participate.
• Rob worked tirelessly to complete plans for an outdoor classroom and plant over 100 trees, plants and samples of native vegetation. He always involved the children in the process.
• They both say that ”education is the foundation of success in our society and the Columbia Public Schools provide the cornerstone of learning for our children. We are so grateful for the efforts of CPS teachers, administration, and other volunteers in fostering an excellent system of public education, and we also are grateful for having the opportunity to be a small part of that.”

Outstanding Alumni

Roger Gafke

• Currently serves as Director of Program Development for the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute and is Professor Emeritus at the MU School of Journalism
• Expanded the international programs and relationships for the School of Journalism: Provided training programs in Doha, Qatar; faculty advisor for the International School of Media and Entertainment Studies in Delhi, India; coordinator for international journalists in a fellowship program at MU
• Served as MU Vice Chancellor for Development, University, and Alumni Relations and Executive Director of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
• Created videos and web-based training programs, a commercial web site and an award-winning web and e-mail solicitation project
• Wrote a history of the CPS District, published by the district in 1978
• Founding board member of Columbia Public Schools Foundation

Paul W. Ladenson

• Currently Professor of Medicine, Pathology and Oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; John Eager Howard Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism; Director – Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism; Professor, Department of Medicine – Endocrinology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• Recognized as one of a handful of worldwide experts in endocrinology and metabolism and is sought after for consultation by practitioners and experts worldwide
• Continues clinical patient treatment on a daily basis serving the very top leaders in our country as well as the very poorest and sickest
• Lectures frequently on the most current and complicated aspects of the thyroid – his major area of expertise
• Authored or co-authored many books and articles, some of which are the standards of medical schools and practitioners
• Graduate of Oxford University and Harvard Medical School

Joe Moseley

• Currently Vice President, Public Affairs, Shelter Insurance Companies
• Serves as a member of the boards of directors of The Intersection, Columbia Independent School, the Property and Casualty Guaranty Fund and the Missouri Insurance Education Foundation
• Served on numerous boards of directors including Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Advent Enterprises, Rainbow House, Missouri Chapter of the National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse, Woodhaven Learning Center, University Hospital Center, and United Way
• Past President of the MU National Alumni Association, Tiger Quarterback Club, Columbia Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, and Columbia Rotary Club
• Chaired the boards of REDI and the Mid-Missouri Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as well as the Central Missouri Food Bank Capital Campaign, Children’s Miracle Network Telethon, Woodhaven Capital Campaign, Stephens College Capital Campaign, and Multiple Sclerosis Dinner of Champions

Dr. Robert Shamberger

• Currently Chief of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children’s Hospital Boston (the primary pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School) and the Robert E. Gross Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School
• Specialties include inflammatory bowel disease, pediatric general surgery, surgical critical care, surgical oncology and thoracic surgery
• Active in the design and analysis of multi-institutional protocols of neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor and chest wall sarcomas
• Principal investigator – study of the quality of life outcomes of children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease including outcomes of various surgical therapies
• Has published over 150 scientific articles and book chapters and is sought as a lecturer
• Graduate of University of Missouri and Harvard Medical School

Retired Educators

Nancy Lewis

• Currently retired and enjoying it!
• Taught or coordinated elementary physical education in CPS from 1963-1990, West Boulevard, Ridgeway, and Russell
• First Elementary Physical Education Coordinator for Columbia Public Schools in 1973
• Developed the CPS Elementary Fourth Grade Swimming Program, which ran from 1974-2003
• Led the revision of the elementary physical education curriculum which provided a balance of individual and team sports
• Incorporated President Kennedy’s Physical Fitness program as a basic part of children’s activities
• Organized and presented in-service workshops for teachers to improve instructional skills and techniques
• Received the Outstanding Elementary Educator of the Year, grades 4-6

Judy M. Parsons

• Currently supervises University of Missouri student teachers
• Taught or coordinated social studies in CPS from 1963-2003, West Junior High, Hickman, Oakland Junior High
• Recognized as outstanding educator: Outstanding Junior High Educator, Teacher of the Year, Citation of Merit for Service to Education from University of Missouri Alumni Association, and Citizenship Education Recognition from the Missouri Bar Advisory Committee
• Frequent presenter/speaker at professional workshops and Missouri local events
• Provided leadership for development of a comprehensive social studies curriculum, which is recognized throughout Missouri

Marjorie Spaedy

• Currently retired and enjoying it!
• Served public education for over 30 years including CPS Deputy Superintendent and Co-Superintendent during a period of transition, 1994-2001
• Was the liaison for the University of Missouri Teaching Fellows Program after retiring from CPS
• Directed the Missouri Leadership Academy and coordinated leadership development, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education from 1985-1993
• Designed and implemented a two-day assessment process for candidates seeking school administrator certification as principals and superintendents
• Recognized as an Outstanding MSTA/CTA District Administrator, Distinguished Missouri Educator, and Founding Director – Exceptional Leadership

Barbara Savage

• Currently Director of the Lower School – CIS
• Taught first and second grades, students with learning disabilities and gifted children in CPS from 1971-2002, Fairview, Russell Boulevard, Two Mile Prairie Elementary Schools; Gifted Program; and Summer School Enrichment (Title I)
• Selected as a master teacher to work with other teachers
• Presented workshops for new teachers and professional development for experienced teachers
• Supervised student teachers and Teaching Fellows for CPS
• Taught classroom management for the Teaching Fellows Program at the University of Missouri
• Received the first Ray Lewis Award for Outstanding Teacher of the Year, grades K-3

Volunteers

Elton Fay

• Currently practices law in Columbia and Centralia with Grimes, Fay and Kopp law firm
• Served as a member of the CPS Board of Education from 1994-2006 including serving as vice president and president; emphasized decision-making based on what was considered best for students, teachers, administrators and community
• Championed higher pay for teachers while insisting that the district be fiscally prudent
• Spent thousands of hours as a CPS volunteer in his children’s schools
• Served Missouri Boy’s State for 42 years as a board member, trustee and counselor
• Continues to be an advocate for youth as a sponsor/mentor for Haitian students attending colleges/universities in the United States

LaVonne Mattson

• Currently works weekly in the office at Grant Elementary and in the Hickman High School Guidance office; has also volunteered in the Smithton Elementary office
• Volunteered weekly since 1992 in the schools her two local grandchildren attended providing support for them, their teachers, and classmates
• Was known affectionately as “Ms. Honey” in a first-grade classroom at Grant Elementary
• Recognized regularly in Columbia by a classmate of a grandchild, someone she touched as Ms. Honey or an administrator or teacher whom she helped

Lisa Reed

• Currently enjoying homemaking and volunteering for her church and Kiwanis
• Described as the consummate volunteer in the CPS including Russell Boulevard Elementary, Smithton Middle School, West Junior High, Hickman and Rock Bridge High Schools
• Was instrumental in building a foundation and structure for success for the “For the Love of the Game” dinner and auction which has raised thousands of dollars for Rock Bridge High School athletics
• Provided leadership for PTAs, volunteered in school offices and lunchrooms and supervised playgrounds
• Demonstrated outstanding leadership and organizational skills as banquet and events chair for athletic activities and volunteer assistant athletic director (one year)
• Serves on the district-wide Long Range Planning Committee and the High School Redistricting Committee
• Served on the Columbia Public Schools Foundation Board

Diane Rubenstein

• Currently operates private law practice in Columbia
• Committed to the improvement of many programs within the district, such as raising money to fund the artificial turf at Rock Bridge and improvements to the practice soccer and football fields, baseball/softball complex and weight room
• Described as a visionary with a dynamic, magnetic personality with the ability to convince others to help implement ideas, for example, the “For the Love of the Game” dinner and auction which has raised thousands of dollars for Rock Bridge High School athletics
• Volunteered in every CPS classroom that her children attended
• Served on the Columbia Public Schools Foundation Board and was instrumental in starting the Teacher Recognition Program
• Respected for high energy level, leadership skills, and commitment to CPS

Outstanding Alumni

David Griggs

• Owner and CEO of Dave Griggs’ Flooring America and Mid Missouri Tile in Columbia. Missouri
• Served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, Associate Commissioner of Boone County, Chair of Regional Economic Development, Inc. (REDI), Chair of the American Heart Association (Boone County and Missouri) and Chair of the Boone County Chapter of the National MS Society
• Current member of the Boone County Fire District Board
• Received special recognitions including the State of Missouri Economic Development Volunteer of the Year and the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year

Harold (Hal) Logan

• Currently a human resources manager at IBM in Irving, Texas. Spent 44 years with IBM, 30 in Sales and Marketing and the past 14 years in a consulting role as a Human Resources Transition Manager-Strategic Outsourcing. Worked in Columbia during 7 of his early years with IBM as a Systems Engineer and sales at UMC Hospital and Clinics
• Spent 4 years in El Paso, Texas as the IBM Branch Manager and served as Co-Chairman of The El Paso Economic Development Commission, United Way-Solicitation Chairman, Board Member of El Paso Chamber of Commerce, Vice Chairman of the Downtown Rotary Club
• When his mother died in the 1960s, returned to Columbia to help raise his younger brother; was instrumental in helping the Columbia Public Schools solve race relations problems experienced in school districts across the country
• Played basketball at Douglass High School, won a basketball scholarship to Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and graduated from Lincoln University with a degree in business administration and economics

Cathy Barton Para

• Recognized as a leader in American musical heritage preservation
• Recorded 10 albums with her husband, Dave Para; performed across the country and internationally and held song and instrumental workshops
• With her husband, she created two annual folk festivals – Boonville’s Big Muddy and Boone’s Lick’s Country Folk Festival – drawing artists from across the country to perform
• Earned numerous awards in recognition of her work along with accolades from leaders in the folk music world including Grandpa Jones and Roy Acuff

Greg Steinhoff

• Director of Economic Development for the State of Missouri, a key leadership position
• Began Option Care in Columbia and started several other businesses
• Served Columbia on numerous boards including Boone Hospital Center, United Way, Regional Economic Development, Inc., Columbia Independent School, Missouri Innovation Center and Life Science Business Coalition
• Named the Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce

Karen Wingert

• Currently Clinical Associate Professor in Physical Therapy at MU, a therapist at the Women’s Health Clinic at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, a member of the Applied Cancer Research Faculty; has served as an Executive Board Member of the Missouri Red Cross
• Nationally known for her expertise in women’s health including oncology and lymphedema management.
• Received several outstanding professional, faculty, teaching and advising awards
• Has a lengthy list of research publications and has made scholarly presentations around the country

Retired Educators

Kent Fewell

• Taught in Columbia Public Schools for 29 years and served as head baseball coach at Hickman High School for 25 years
• Recognized for the positive impact he had on students including helping students overcome tragic events in their lives and recruiting students not in extracurricular activities to assist with the baseball program
• Worked tirelessly to make the Hickman baseball field the best he possibly could in honor of two students who suffered tragic deaths
• Inducted into Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame

John Henage

• Began teaching and serving as head football coach and boys golf coach at Rock Bridge High School in 1977 and served as Director of Athletics and Physical Education for three years
• Was recognized as a leader on faculty committees, as an ardent supporter of all school activities, and was held in high regard by coaches, athletic directors, and principals statewide
• Received numerous awards including Missouri High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame, Missouri Interscholastic Athletic Director of the Year and Columbia Public Schools Teacher of the Year for Extracurricular Activities
• Named to the Rock Bridge High School Hall of Fame (Inaugural Class) and the Fulton High School Wall of Fame

Beulah Ralph

• Served Columbia Public Schools for 58 years, 20 years as a secretary at Douglass School and 38 years as the Director of Home School Services
• Influenced thousands of students and their families by developing and providing the leadership for the Home-School Communicator Program, which was recognized by the Missouri Human Rights Commission and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
• Was a member of many school and community committees to help children including the Superintendent’s Cabinet, Dropout Prevention Task Force, Emergency/Crisis Management Committee and the Community Scholarship Fund for Graduating High School Seniors
• Received awards for achievement including the NAACP Educator of the Year, Phi Delta Kappa Gamma Chapter Friend of Education, and the League of Women Voters Mother’s Day Peace Award

Don Rupp

• Was Director of Bands at West Junior High providing inspiration to students and colleagues for over 25 years
• Recognized as a sincere, professional, energetic and talented teacher, developing a program that became known statewide as one of the best junior high bands in Missouri
• Awarded the Outstanding Junior High Educator (Ray Lewis Award), named Teacher of the Year, and received many musicals awards in band competitions
• Published a book, Remembering Minnesota: A Collection of Photos, Poems, and Writings

Volunteers

J.C. (Chuck) Headley

• Served for nine years on the Columbia Public Schools Board including two years as Vice President of the Board and two years as President
• Provided testimony before the Missouri Legislative Committees in support of legislation favorable to Columbia Public Schools, represented the Columbia Public School System as a Board delegate to the Missouri School Board Association and was a member of the Missouri School Board Regional Leadership Committee
• Recognized by the Missouri School Board Association as a Master Board Member for completing over 40 hours of board member training
• Volunteered to serve the Laubach Corps as a math tutor, the PTAs at Fairview Elementary, West Junior High, and Hickman High School and as a Big Brother in the Big Brother/Big Sister program

Cal Roebuck

• Was a long-time ardent supporter of Rock Bridge High School and the Columbia Public School District
• With his wife, Lydia, served as president of the Rock Bridge High School Booster Club, setting the standard for booster clubs in the district.
• Announced to the principal at the beginning of the term as Booster Club president that he planned to be sitting in the stands of the new Rock Bridge football stadium by the following fall, an unbelievable feat…
• And, with Lydia, provided the organization and persuasive powers along to obtain the funding, donated materials, and volunteers for the Bruins to play their first home football game in their own stadium the following fall as promised

Wayne Sells

• Supports numerous extracurricular activities at various Columbia Public Schools financially and by “rolling up his sleeves” to help as needed
• Contributes generously to athletic programs so that students have benefits otherwise not available to them, such as the turf for the Rock Bridge High School football/soccer field, new Rock Bridge football and baseball uniforms, “away game” busses for several different sports at Rock Bridge and Hickman, and Hickman Baseball State Championships rings
• Worked with the head baseball coach to start and fund the annual Rock Bridge/Hickman hosted Columbia Baseball Tournament, which is considered one of the best invitational tournaments in the state
• Was one of the first to begin the Hickman High School girls’ basketball fund raising efforts

Outstanding Alumni

Jim Beasley

• Is Senior Vice President of Willbros USA, Inc., managing pipeline projects around the world including a 220-mile crude oil and products system in Iran, a high-pressure water pipeline in Colorado, and a heated fuel oil system in Georgia.
• Served on the Board of Directors of the MU Alumni Association.
• Received the Missouri Honor Award from the College of Engineering and was in the first class of the MU Civil Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni.
• Provided leadership for Boy Scouts of America activities, Goodwill Industries of Tulsa, Trout Unlimited, and a number of conservation organizations.

Carolyn Cochran Clark

• Became the first woman partner of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCoy, a noted Wall Street law firm, in 1977 and has spent her entire career with the firm.
• Was the first woman named president of the Harvard Law School Association.
• Is or has been on the advisory boards of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Central Park Conservancy, the Museum of Modern Art, and the New York Public Library.
• Has been an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University, is a member of the American Law Institute, and a Regent and Fellow of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.

Leo Lewis III

• Is the Associate Athletic Director at the University of Minnesota.
• Was a star football player at Hickman and the University of Missouri, going on to play for the St. Louis Cardinals professional football team, and the Minnesota Vikings.
• Has received numerous athletic awards.
• Established the Lewis Sports Foundation, a service organization dedicated to providing young people with the necessary life skills to be successful in education and sports.

Richard Mendenhall

• Is owner of ReMax Boone Realty in Columbia and Jefferson City.
• Served as president of the National Association of Realtors, the largest professional trade association in the world and was recognized for his service to the real estate profession as Missouri Realtor of the Year.
• Served as president of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce and president of the Regional Economic Development Commission.
• Received the Athena Award of the Women’s Network of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce and the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award of the Great Rivers Council for his service to Boy Scouts.

Retired Educators

Michael Bancroft

• Served as an English teacher at Rock Bridge High School for over 20 years and also as the District Language Arts Coordinator for 5 years.
• Appointed Assistant Professor of Education at Central Methodist College to be the Director of Clinical Experiences and teach methods courses upon his retirement from Columbia Public Schools.
• Served on numerous leadership teams at the building and district levels and has been described as a leader of teachers.
• Shared his expertise though developing curriculum at the district and state levels, placing and supervising student teachers, publishing articles in professional journals, and serving as an instructor for the Missouri Scholars Academy, Truman State University, and Columbia and Central Methodist Colleges.

Mary Ann Gates

• Taught English (all levels) at Hickman High School for 27 years.
• Selected as national merit Presidential Scholar Teacher of Influence in 1990 and 1996 and the Columbia Community Teachers Association Outstanding Educator.
• Shared with the profession through presenting at state writing conferences and participating in the National Council of Teachers of English.
• Developed a course, Man and Myth, for the MU Independent Study Curriculum.

Vernon ‘Hap’ Whitney

• Named Director of Physical Education and Athletics for Columbia Public Schools in 1981 and then Director of Competition for Show Me State Games after his retirement.
• Held various positions at MU including Head Wresting Coach, Assistant Athletic Director, Director of Support Services, and Assistant Professor of Physical Education.
• Recognized as Columbia Public School Educator of the Year and the Missouri State Athletic Director of the year by the Missouri Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.
• Received the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Award of Merit and the Gerald Linneman Lifetime Achievement Award and was a finalist for the National Athletic Director of the Year Award.

Mary C. (Khaki) Westerfield

• Taught English (all levels) and chaired the Language Arts Department at Hickman High School and was the Secondary Language Arts Coordinator for the Columbia Public Schools.
• Serves as the Coordinator of Field Experiences, the Liaison for Fellows Program, and Instructor in the MU College of Education.
• Received the “Most Influential Teacher” Award from University of Missouri and University of Chicago, 1990, 1991, and 1992 and recognition as the Columbia Fund for Academic Excellence Outstanding Senior High Teacher.
• Contributed to numerous professional development activities for teachers including publishing in professional journals, presenting at state and national meetings, and advising the State Board of Education and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Volunteers

Amelia Cottle

• Served as president of the Rock Bridge High School Bruin Booster Club, an organization supporting all student athletes.
• Took the role of the team parent who organized buses, tailgates, team meals and the football program for the Football Booster Club.
• Supported the Rock Bridge High School Choir and Show Choir Boosters by putting together the music booster program and attending all school plays and musicals.
• Attended every PTSA meeting and worked to encourage all of the supporting groups of Rock Bridge High School to work together in an efficient and effective manner.

Lisa Lang

• Has been actively involved in the Columbia Public Schools – Grant Elementary, Smithton, West Jr., and Hickman – for the past 25 years.
• Made all of the costumes for one of the plays at Grant, cutting, sewing, and fitting until each was perfect.
• Served many years as chair of the teacher appreciation committees for Grant, Smithton, West, and now Hickman.
• Chaired “Funesta” at Grant, helped with the theater productions at Smithton, and assisted with registration at West and Hickman.

Lynn McIntosh

• Served as co-chair for many years of the Hickman concession stand, the major fund raiser for the Hickman PTSA.
• Has co-chaired the set-up for the Hickman Hog Roast for three years.
• Is a long-time supporter of Hickman musicals.
• Has persuaded volunteers to continue to work for schools for years after their children have graduated from Hickman.

Reggie Rieger

• Served as the Volunteer Coordinator for PTSA at West Junior High, recruiting volunteers and organizing all volunteer efforts.
• Was known as one of the most dependable volunteers for the music department at West Junior High, Smithton Middle School, and Rock Bridge High School.
• Donated countless hours to help students who came to the health room at Fairview Elementary and Smithton Middle School.
• Helped coordinate and assist with the health fairs and school health screenings.

Special Service

Charley Blackmore

• Developed and maintains a database containing more than 32,000 Hickman Kewpie graduates.
• Assembled and administers the Kewpie Classmates Web site with more than 3,600 registered Kewpies, which brings everyone who goes to the site a little closer to Columbia regardless of where they live.
• Provides an invaluable resource for reunion committees.
• Instigated and coordinated two very successful major fund drives for Hickman High School.

William (Bill) L. Fairman

• Founder of FairCom Corporation, headquartered in Columbia, which supplies a full range of database software to programming professionals worldwide from school library systems, 911 emergency systems, credit card processing, factory automation, accounting systems to space agency data tracking.
• Served as President of the Columbia Public School Foundation Board for several years.
• Was treasurer of the Foundation for many years, producing financial records and numerous reports for tax purposes, district business office, and portfolio updates.
• Developed and maintained data bases as needed by the Foundation.
• Assisted in the review of requests for Foundation grants.

Outstanding Alumni

Justin Bohon

• Performed in All Shook Up at the Palace Theatre in New York.
• Performed in the new musical based on Bob Dillon music with Twyla Tharp as the choreographer.
• Debuted in the movie Good Shepherd directed by Robert DeNiro and also starring Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie.
• Starred as Will Parker in the Broadway revival of Oklahoma, for which he received the Fred Astaire Award as best male dancer on Broadway and the Theatre World Award, in addition to being nominated for a Drama Desk and an Outer Critic Circle Award.
• Performed in the Broadway hit, The Producers, and played the role of Bobby in The Boyfriend, directed by Julie Andrews.
• Is a graduate of Rock Bridge High School.

Clay Cooper

• Currently retired but remains active in Columbia.
• Served as honorary co-chair of Hickman Fund Raising Drive for a new turf field.
• Started on the 1935 Kewpie unbeaten Basketball State Championship team and the Mythical Missouri State Championship football team. Scored half of the team’s total season points in football and added a state title in the 100-yard dash.
• Played 3 sports at MU: wingback in football, forward in basketball, quarter-miler in track.
• Played for Big Six Conference Championship teams in all 3 sports.
• Served as MU assistant football coach and/or recruiting coordinator from 1947-85, producing 3 All American players and numerous bowl victories.
• Was a P.T. boat captain in the Pacific during WW-II.

Robert (Bob) M. LeMone

• Is the owner and president of Little Dixie Construction (LDC).
• Is Columbia’s largest general contractor and has recruited many companies and hundreds of employees to Columbia.
• Has built many of Columbia’s big buildings including MBS Textbook Exchange and its expansion, Perry Chevrolet, Anheuser Busch on Interstate 70, Expo Center, Home Depot, and DataStorm Technologies.
• Described by individuals in the construction field as a self-made man.
• Has won the American Building Company’s annual Building Design Award several years.
• Earned a freshman football scholarship to MU based on his speed as a sprinter on Hickman’s track team and his football prowess.
• Selected as one of only 29 Faurot Fellows, an honorary group recognized for significant contributions to the MU Athletic Department.

Dan M. Schuppan

• Is the founder and President of MBS Textbook Exchange, the largest college wholesale textbook distributor in US and is the largest private employer in Columbia with over 1,000 employees.
• Lettered in football, basketball, and baseball for 3 years at Hickman.
• Selected as the co-captain of the football team his senior year.
• Selected all-State and all-district in football.
• Received the Joe M. Barnes award as the outstanding high school athlete.
• Lettered 3 years in football at MU and selected first team all conference and first team scholastic all-American, and first team all Bowl after the 20-18 defeat of University of Florida in the 1966 Sugar Bowl.
• Served on the Strategic Marketing Board of the MU College of Business.

Marilyn Silvey Tatlow (deceased)

• Served as the editor of the SlugFest Literary Magazine and as a contributing editor of Family Journal.
• Was a columnist and regular contributor to several papers and magazines including Missouri Life, St. Louis Globe-Democrat, and Chicago Daily Tribune.
• Earned an award for best adult fiction in 1992 from the Missouri Writers’ Guild, a best historical article award from the guild and several other awards.
• Served on the Missouri Arts Council, Board of Directors for the Museum of Art and Archeology at MU, Columbia College Board of Trustees and the MU Capital Campaign Committee.
• Was a director of the Moberly Area Community College Foundation and a director of the Missouri Mansion Preservation Board.
• Appointed to the Appellate Judicial Commission.
• Funded with her husband, the Gary and Marilyn Tatlow Early Childhood Development Center.
• Honored by her husband through funding of the Mizzou on Broadway Scholarship Program at MU.

Retired Educators

William (Bill) F. Higdon (deceased)

• Began teaching at Hickman High School in 1959 and served as chair of Secondary Social Studies for Columbia Public Schools for many years.
• Taught in MU Summer Sessions and was a part-time teacher for the MU Extension Division.
• Hired as a consultant for Holt, Rinehart & Winston Publishers in 1980.
• Maintained memberships and was an officer in several professional education organizations and was a charter member of Gamma Theta Upsilon, the professional geography fraternity.
• Selected as an Honorary Fellow of the Harry S. Truman Library Institute.
• Was a member of the committee which developed the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Guide to Social Studies Curriculum Development.
• Served in the U. S. Marine Corps and was a Korean War Veteran.
• Honored with several awards including Academic Excellence in Columbia Public Schools, Missouri State Teacher of the Year, Outstanding Educator of the Year from Guardians, Inc., and a Certificate of Meritorious Teaching Achievement from the National Council for Geographical Education.

John G. Patterson

• Currently serves as Music Director of the Columbia Community Band and is active as a clinician, adjudicator, and conductor.
• Held the position of Director of Bands at Hickman High School from 1966 to 2000 and Director of Music for the Columbia Public Schools from 1975 to 2000.
• Served as Interim Assistant Director of Bands at MU during the 2001-2002 year.
• Served as president of both the Missouri Bandmaster’s Association and the Missouri Educator’s Association.
• Received the Citation of Merit from the MU College of Education Alumni Organization, the Missouri State High School Activities Association Outstanding Missouri Music Educator Award, the Missouri Arts Award, and a College of Arts and Science Honorary Alumnus Award.
• Inducted into the Missouri Bandmaster’s Hall of Fame and the Marching Mizzou Hall of Fame.

Volunteers

Sondra Oetting Flaker

• Served on Columbia Public Schools District committees including the Middle School Committee, District Boundary Committee, Vending Machine Sub-Committee, and the High School Task Force.
• Volunteered at Southwest Playschool, serving as the president, treasurer, and concert coordinator.
• Served as PTSA officer and building volunteer for Russell and Rock Bridge Elementary, Gentry Middle School, Jefferson Junior High School, and Hickman High School.
• Was the chicken BBQ chair for 9 years at Rock Bridge Elementary.
• Was the The Non-Alcohol and Drug Organization (T-Nado) parent co-coordinator for 7 years at Jefferson Junior.
• Served as the All-Night Senior Party president, concessions chair for 6 years, and general chair for 3 years.
• Volunteer for the Assistance League and Dental Aid Board through the King’s Daughter-Constance Circle.

Jean K. Gurucharri

• Was a founding member of CPSF and served several years on the Board of Directors.
• Coordinates dental care, including organizing over 100 volunteer drivers, for over 100 Columbia Public School students per year as a member of the King’s Daughters-Constance Circle Dental Aid Board of Directors.
• Coordinates volunteer workers for the Assistance League of Mid-Missouri’s Upscale Resale Shop; served on the Board of Directors in all leadership positions, and developed grant program for Columbia Public School classroom projects as the Links to Learning Chair.
• Served as PTSA officer and building volunteer at Jefferson Jr. High School and Hickman High School and as a member of the Hickman High School Computer Lab Fundraising Committee.
• Contributes to other community development projects through numerous organizations.
• Received the 1993 JC Penney Golden Rule Volunteer Award.
• Honored as Volunteer of the Week by the Columbia Daily Tribune.

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

Outstanding Alumni

Teresa Rouse Maledy

• Graduated from Hickman High School and Stephens College
• Instructor in the equestrian program at Lindenwood College
• Advanced with a series of promotions within Commerce Bank, culminating in her appointment as President of Commerce Bank’s Central Missouri Region in
• First woman bank president in mid-Missouri and in the Commerce Bancshares organization
• Past chair of Columbia Chamber of Commerce
• Gives generously of time and talents to the community through numerous leadership positions in not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions

Claire McCaskill

• Graduated from Hickman High School
• Graduated from UMC with bachelors and law degrees Clerk for the Missouri Court of Appeals
• Assistant prosecutor in the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office
• Elected in 1982 to the House of Representatives representing Missouri’s District 42 in Kansas City
• Elected in 1990 for an At-Large Seat on the Jackson County Legislature
• Served as county lawmaker before being elected County Prosecutor in 1992
• Elected as Missouri’s State Auditor in 1998
• Leader in numerous state and national professional organizations
• Volunteers in community organizations in the areas of drug prevention and intervention

Heath Meriwether

• Graduated from Hickman High School
• Graduated from UMC with journalism and history Masters of Arts in Teaching from Harvard
• Reporter with the Miami Herald
• Became executive editor of the Miami Herald in 1983; during this time, the Herald won five Pulitzer Prizes
• Moved to the Detroit Free Press as executive editor in 1987, and the newspaper won two consecutive Pulitzer Prizes in 1989 and 1990, as well as numerous other national and state awards
• Became publisher in January 1996
• Serves on the national Board of Directors of the American Press Institute and more than 15 other regional and national non-profit boards with particular emphasis on issues regarding children, technology, health care, education, and the environment

Donna Pierce

• Graduated from Hickman High School and Stephens College
• Began career in 1985 with Day Runner, becoming National Sales Manager of Premium Sales
• In 1995, began work for the Columbia Daily Tribune as Features Editor, then as Food Editor and Columnist
• During her tenure, she received numerous national awards for her food writing
• In 2001 she became Food Editor of the Columbia Missourian and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Journalism, before moving in 2002 to the Chicago Tribune as Assistant Food Editor and Test Kitchen Director
• Member of several professional organizations and is in frequent demand at food writers’ symposia and conferences across the country

Retired Educators

Dr. Muriel Battle

• Began teaching first grade at Douglass in 1956 after graduating from Florida A & M University; transferred to West Junior High School in 1962, where she taught social studies for 13 years
• Assistant principal at West Junior High in 1975, and principal in 1978
• Associate Superintendent for Secondary Education in 1992, a post she held until her retirement in 1997

Dr. Kenneth Clark

• Began as Principal of Hickman High School in 1965, a post he held for 25 years
• Hickman was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in 1985 with an Excellence in Education Award and was visited in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan
• Attended all the plays, all the musical concerts, all the athletic events, all the Honor Society induction events – indeed, all the activities which gave Hickman’s students the extra dimension of educational opportunity
• Innovative principal in the areas of curriculum development and course scheduling

Harold (Hank) Steere

• History teacher and Assistant Principal at Hickman High School before becoming Associate Superintendent for Instruction, a post he held for 22 years until his retirement from CPS in 1984
• 14 years with the Missouri North Central Association, retiring as Associate State Director in 2000
• Continues to volunteer at Douglass High School and Russell Boulevard Elementary School, and teaches adults to read in the Laubach Literacy Program
• In the central office, guided curriculum development, supervised the expansion of special education, initiated the first coordinated staff development efforts in the district, and provided leadership in the State by helping with the development of the original Performance-Based Teacher Evaluation model

Dr. John Stolt

• Joined the Columbia Public Schools in 1967 as Assistant Principal of Jefferson Junior High School and served as Principal at Jeff from 1971-1978
• Become Associate Superintendent of Schools in St. Joseph
• Returned to Columbia in 1984 as Associate Superintendent for Instruction and remained with the district until his retirement in 1991
• Developed a number of innovative programs and initiatives – established a comprehensive staff development program, directed the implementation of the Parents as Teachers program, placed an emphasis on health education as part of the curriculum, established a gifted program, initiated a district-wide Drop-out Prevention Task Force, and a Reading Recovery Program

Volunteers

Joan Bay

• Active volunteer in CPS for over 2 decades, serving as President of both the Rock Bridge Elementary and Jefferson Junior High School PTA’s
• Elected to Columbia Board of Education in 1984, served for 14 years and served as board President from 1988-1990
• Served on Facilities Planning Committee, Rock Bridge High School PTA, Booster Club, A+ Advisory Committee, and Senior All-Night Party

Polly Hendren

• Volunteer for the CASA (Columbia Aeronautics and Space Association) Program at Hickman High School for 8 years, devoting over 6 hours a day, five days a week
• Oversees CASA’s Public Affairs Office, contacting the media and proofing all student work while also organizing field trips, fundraising, grant writing, and heading-up a mentoring program that recruits adult volunteers into the program
• One of the largest providers for the many financially challenged students in the CASA program funding student projects

Julie Marrone

• Dedicated leader of volunteers within the district Served as President of the Two-Mile Prairie PTA, Oakland Junior High PTA, and President of the Hickman High School PTA and Columbia Council of PTA’s
• Chaired numerous committees at the schools her children attended, and recently served on the committee that re-drew high school boundary lines.
• Organized PTA events at both the elementary and junior high school levels that have won national PTA honors as Outstanding Unit Awards
• Serves on the Executive Board for the Missouri State PTA and is chairperson of the Missouri State PTA Convention to be held in Columbia

Outstanding Alumni

Susan Stalcup Gray

• Recipient Columbia Chamber of Commerce Athena and Citizen of the Year Awards
• Received Sam Walton Business Leader Award
• Chaired Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Daniel Boone Library Board

J. Stephen and Susan Marshall Simon

• President of ExxonMobil Refining & Supply Company
• Involved with Boy Scouts of America, United Way, and Salvation Army
• Member of US-China Business Council, Kellogg Advisory Board of Northwestern University, National Council for Minorities in Engineering

Horace Thomas (deceased)

• First general surgeon to serve Boone Hospital in Columbia, Missour, practiced general surgery 1947-1985
• Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Columbia Art League, Missouri Show-Me Games
• Recipient of University of Missouri Alumni Service Award

Retired Educators

George Brooks

• Science teacher and coach at Douglass High School and Jefferson Junior High
• Mentor and inspiration for student success
• Namesake for prestigious MU scholarship

James Delbert

• Initiated first elementary library at a Columbia school at Lee Elementary
• Avid supporter of parent volunteer programs, school/parent communication, gifted education, and International Reading Association
• Principal at Lee School 1964-68, Shepard Elementary School 1968-1990
• Selected as Outstanding Administrator 1988

Dr. Wayne Walker

• Former principal at Jefferson Junior High School, Oakland Junior High School and Rock Bridge High School
• Selected as CPS Outstanding Administrator
• Recognized for professional leadership, and balancing vision with common sense in creating innovative learning environment

Volunteers

Guy Lanphere

• Recognized by National Association of Partners in Education for leadership in business/education partnerships
• Role model and mentor as science ‘teacher’ in 5th grade classes
• Served 12 years on PIE Steering Committee

James Oglesby

• Member Columbia Board of Education 1974-1994, President 1980-82
• President National School Boards Association 1989
• Initiated Columbia Career Awareness Related Experiences (CARE)