Six former Wauseon High School students and three former administrators joined the growing Wauseon Academic hall of fame Friday in the WHS auditorium.
The former students included: Barbara Boucher Owens (class of 1962), Roger Weber (class of 1967), Gregory Henry (class of 1968), Diane Conrad (class of 1972), Perry Rupp (class of 1975) and William Guilford (class of 1982.)
The former teachers/administrators included: Ralph Roshong (principal at WHS from (1966-1979), Marc Robinson (Wauseon superintendent from 1999 to 2012) and David Burkholder (teacher and Wauseon Elementary principle from 1976-2012).
Starting with the distinguished alumni, Barbara Owens received her Doctor in Philosophy from New York University in 1977 with a major in computer applications to education.
Owens has been an international leader in the field of computer science and a teacher in broadening the participation of woman in computing.
She taught computer science at Brooklyn College City University of New York for seven years; Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, New York for ten years; Edwards University, Austin, Texas for eleven years. Georgetown, Texas for twelve years, retiring with emeritus status.
In addition to her teaching accomplishments, Barbara also has a long list of professional publications and presentations, including international presentations in India, China, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Barbara and her husband Phil live in Georgetown, Texas, where she is currently active in various community activities. They have two daughters, Gwyneth and Susannah. Gwyneth and husband Rob live in Georgia with their two daughters. Susannah and husband Luis live in San Francisco.
Roger Weber received his undergrad in 1970 graduating summa cum laude from Ohio State. He then received his Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School in 1973.
Throughout his career, Roger was a member and a leader in many organizations, including the Federal, American, Ohio, and Cincinnati Bar Associations, the Cincinnati Labor Relations Institute, Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies, Ohio Management Lawyers Association, Supreme Court Historical Society, Harvard club of Cincinnati, and President’s Club of the Ohio State University.
Weber, who will be inducted posthumously, was married to his wife Mary Helen Weber for 33 years. She is a lawyer in Cincinnati. They have a son Roger Franklin Weber, who works for an architecture firm in Chicago.
Gregory W. Henry received his Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio State in 1973 with a triple major in physics, math, and astronomy. He received his graduate degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN in 1979.
Greg has contributed much new knowledge to the field of astronomy. In 1999, he discovered the first transiting extra solar planet, providing final proof that other planetary systems really do exist outside of our solar system. Since then, he as collaborated on the discovery of over one hundred additional extra solar planets, including discovery of the first super-earth planet within the habitable zone of its stars. Throughout his career, Greg has done research for and published over 400 articles in various academic journals.
Greg has been married to his wife Mary Ann for 33 years. They live in Nashville, Tennessee, and have three adult children Stephen (and wife Toni), Julie, and Daniel.
Diane Conrad continued her post WHS days at Goshen College in pre-medical studies and onto Case Western for medical school. Diane had an interest in science at an early age. Diane mentioned Neil Weber in Chemistry and Jim Spieles in Physics and advanced classes, as her favorite teachers. Diane applied her love of sciences and her love of people, as she became a Family Doctor. Diane also notes that growing up in rural Wauseon led her to desire to return to Northwest Ohio after Medical School.
Diane has distinguished herself as a family doctor and is currently the Medical Director of the Midwest Community Health Associates, a multi-specialty clinic of fifty-plus providers located in Fulton and Williams County.
Diane did marry, though her husband is now deceased. However, Diane still feels blessed by their shared life, their two children and a grandson. Diane has her parents nearby as well. Again, Dian’s work goes above and beyond as she helps people in need in whatever situation. This attitude has been laced all through Diane’s life.
From the “Industrial Arts Student of the Year” in 1975 to owning Rupp-Rosebrock Incorporated, Perry Rupp found his passion at an early age and materialized it into a successful construction business well know around the area.
After high school, and while a student at the University of Toledo and then Bowling Green State University, he also worked at Melvin Wyse Construction. In 1977, Perry then started his own business Fulco Construction. Next, he joined McKinnon-Parker Construction in Toledo and was hired by Lathrop Construction in 1981. Perry was twenty-four years old, but he managed their Special Projects Division. This entailed managing all projects valued up to five million dollars in the Toledo vicinity. This then led to formulating his current business Rupp-Rosebrock, Incorporated.
Rupp is proud of his following achievements through the years: Design and construction of many projects in Northwest Ohio, while also employing many residents in these projects. Being the 2012 manager of the DeFord Schwall chapel at the Wauseon Cemetery. Currently constructing the 911 Memorial building at the Fulton County Fairgrounds.
Rupp is also a licensed pilot with 2400 hours flying time. He was instrumental in creating a Fulton County LIFE Flight base. Perry knew of a snowmobile accident that severely injured a former employee. Perry called together about thirty-five colleagues and together they modified this man’s garage and home to make all totally handicap accessible.
Perry married Jana Gype, Wauseon High School class of 1977. They have two boys: Daniel, a Deputy United States Marshal in California and Andrew, a full-time fire-fighter and paramedic in Virginia. Currently, they have one grandson, Hunter.
William Guilford continued his educational path after WHS with attending St. Francis College, Ft. Wayne, Indiana where he received his Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Arizona, in Tucson. William became a professor at the University of Vermont. He then went on to become an Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia, where William still remains as Program Director of Biomedical Engineering.
William leaves a legacy in these programs and projects: Numerous awards in teaching, including Meritorious Performance in teaching. Serving on numerous committees to help improve academic excellence in programs. Writing numerous grants to provide financial support for innovation in teaching and learning.
Uniquely, William has two patents: 1.) Device and Method for Safely Expanding Minimally Invasive Surgical incision. 2.) Wilderness Injury Life-Saving Device (WILD) and Related Methods.”
William has many published abstracts, papers and articles. He authored “Laser Traps in Cell Biology and Biophysics”. Likewise, William has been invited as a lecturer for symposiums on Biomedical Engineering.
Guilford said, “I have spent my entire career as a scientist and the best signifying title is “Associate Professor and Undergraduate Program Director of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Virginia.”
The second category of inductees fall under the title of “Legends of Education”
First on that prestigious list is Ralph R. Roshong. Roshong served as Wauseon High School principle from 1966-1979.
After graduating from the University of Toledo in 1961, Ralph began teaching algebra and general science at Whitmer Junior High in Toledo but was activated immediately into the Air National Guard for one year during the Berlin Crisis. He then returned to teaching at Whitmer Junior High until 1963, when he began teaching algebra, geometry, and physics at Macomber High School for three years.
In August of 1966, Ralph began his position as principal of Wauseon High School, where he remained for thirteen years. During these years, Ralph monitored many changes, including growth in the size of the student body, staff, and curriculum. The size of the school building itself also increased with the addition of the west classroom wing, gym expansion, planetarium, auditorium, and swimming pool.
While serving as principal of Wauseon High School, Ralph was also very active in the Ohio High School Athletic Association and served on the board of the High School Secondary Principals. Ralph feels that he was very fortunate to have worked with such a dedicated and stable teaching and classified staff while at Wauseon High School.
After leaving Wauseon, Ralph held the following positions: 1979-85, superintendent, Hillsdale Local Schools (Ashland County, Ohio). 1985-91, superintendent, Perkins Local Schools (Erie County, Ohio). Ralph retired and then accepted the position of business manager with the Port Clinton City Schools until 1999, when he became superintendent of the Kelley’s Island Schools until 2004. Ralph has since been involved in many community groups around the Sandusky area.
Ralph and his wife Lynda currently live in Sandusky, Ohio. They have two sons: Ryan and Russell. Ryan and his wife Julie have five children; Russell and his wife, Alicia, have four children.
Marc Robinson after graduating from Shelby High School and Bowling Green State University majoring in Accounting Education, switched to Social Studies Education and began is teaching career teaching Social Studies and Business at Eastwood High School in 1977. He continued teaching at Montpelier Exempted
Village Schools, Upper Sandusky Schools, and Bryan City Schools until 1995. During this time, Marc also coached basketball.
Marc continued his studies at the University of Toledo where he attained his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision. This led Marc to become a Middle School Principal in Montpelier, and two years later, Superintendent of Montpelier Exempted Village Schools. In January of 1999, Marc was selected as Superintendent of Wauseon Exempted Village Schools. In his words: “We came to Wauseon as we truly believed this community would be a great place to raise our son.” He and his wife, Melinda, wanted to be a part of a community where education was a priority.
Marc received the following distinguished awards while superintendent at Wauseon Schools: 2001 President of Ohio Association of Local Superintendents. 2005 President of Buckeye Association of School Administrators. Technology Administrator of the year in 2004. Don’s Automotive, “Educator of the Year” in 2010. Recipient of Honorary Future Farmers of America degree from Wauseon High School Future Farmers of America. Member of the Wauseon Rotary Club.
David Burkholder graduated from Youngstown State University in 1975. While there David won the Ben Schuzar Academic athletic award in his junior year and athletic award as Youngstown State University varsity co-captain in basketball in 1975. Later, David earned his graduate degree at the University of Toledo.
David has given his life to education. His philosophy is “There is not a award, test, title, accomplishment nor position that can contribute to success unless one first builds sincere and caring relationships with other human beings. I was fortunate to be impacted by children and those who love children. What better way to be Christ-like than to love those whom He loved best,”
Burkholder’s long list of achievements include: All examples are based on what was good for kids. Graduating from self-contained classrooms to a departmentalized classroom with a “hands-on” science curriculum. A change in the city of Wauseon by-laws to allow observational bee hives within the city limits. Establishment of a community based mentoring program. Development of church-operated breakfast program at Wauseon Elementary School. Implementation of the 21st Century Grant tutoring program. Administrator to award school honors to students. Numerous excellent ratings: School of Promise and High Performance School of Honor.
Ironically enough, after retiring from Wauseon schools, Burkholder is now Principal yet again, this time at New Horizons Academy on the campus of Sarah’s Garden. This is a school for children with or without disabilities who are not finding success in a typical school setting.
Lastly, but certainly not least, Dave is married to Judy, enjoying children and grandchildren.
