David Link joined the U. S. Navy in 1944 and was subsequently sent to Purdue University and later to the University of Virginia in the Navy’s V-12 program. He returned to Fort Wayne where he joined the News-Sentinel as a copy editor and reporter, working under Bud Manth, father of former principal Jenny Manth, until 1951 when he was called to serve in the Korean War. David returned to the News-Sentinel for one year and then moved to the Milwaukee Journal as a real estate writer before he became a home builder and later went into the mortgage banking business. In 1970 David became senior editor of Professional Builder Magazine, a Chicago based national publication that focused on housing and light construction and was subsequently named editor and then editorial director and associate publisher. In 1986, he became vice president of Cahners Publishing Company that published 40 some magazines centered on the trades. He retired in 1991 to Arizona where he became the first president of the Santa Cruz Valley chapter of Habitat for Humanity. David was president and board chairman of the National Association of Real Estate Editors, a member of several home builders associations and press associations and… Read More
John Richard Samsen served in the Army Air Force before obtaining a degree in Aero Engineering at Purdue University. He is known worldwide for his outstanding realistic automobile paintings as well as his contributions to the design of many cars that are now considered classics, including the 1955 Ford Thunderbird. His car art has won many awards such as first place in automotive fine art competition at the ‘Eyes on Classic Design’ show at the Edsel Ford estate in Grosse Point and is exhibited in numerous museums including the Boston Museum of Fine Art. He also paints award-winning landscapes and seascapes at this Hilton Head area studio. John Samsen had a career from 1952 through 1976 at Ford and Chrysler Corp. where he worked on the styling of such cars as the 1955 Thunderbird, the Ford experimental car D-523 Cougar, the 1957 FORD cars, and Chrysler Corp. production and show cars including the Barracudas, Desotos, Roadrunners, GTX, and many others. Ford’s little known Mercury D-524 served as an engineering test car before being sent to Hollywood to star in movies. In 1976, Samsen left Chrysler Corporation to establish his own design studio and has presented at seminars and events and… Read More
In the summer after her freshman year at Indiana University, Beverly sought an internship at The Journal Gazette but was denied because they had never had a “colored” reporter. Angry and discouraged, she returned to school and changed her major to English. Upon graduation from Tennessee State University, she taught at Kekionga Junior High before moving to Washington DC to serve as a public relations specialist for a social service agency. Mid Seventies, McKenna moved to New Orleans with her husband Dwight, and in 1985, they founded The New Orleans Tribune, a monthly publication devoted to, and an influential voice for, social justice and empowerment for the Black community. She had returned to her passion for writing and reporting. Along with the demands of running a publishing company, Stanton McKenna pursued other interests. She and her husband are real estate investors and provide jobs and economic opportunities for African Americans through these endeavors. They also founded two museums—one that showcases African American art and the other, the Le Musee De fpc, that commemorates the achievements and contributions of free people of. Beverly is very active in her community including the Urban League of Greater New Orleans, the New Orleans Black… Read More
After receiving his MD degree from Indiana University, Tom A Felger M.D. interned in Dayton Ohio and then served two years with the Second Marine Division at Camp LeJeune, NC. He returned to his home town in 1971 and started a rewarding 29 year practice in family medicine. After his relocation to South Bend, Indiana, Tom taught at a Family Medicine Residency and served as County Health Officer for St Joseph County. While living in Fort Wayne, Tom served as president of the Fort Wayne-Allen County Medical Society and on the board of trustees of the Indiana State Medical Association as well as the Indiana Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians. He was president of the Inter Agency Drug Abuse Council which, in collaboration with the Junior League of Fort Wayne, created the McMillen Health Center; He was elected president of the McMillen Health Center board in 1986. Many other medical-related organizations have benefitted from his leadership including the Three Rivers Prenatal Clinic, Park Center, and the Family Medicine Departments at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne and St Joseph Hospital in South Bend. Tom is the 9th member of his family to graduate from South… Read More
Tim Grodrian is well known in the Chicago area in the Tax and Finance fields. Although he earned degrees in History, American Literature and English Literature, he is a Certified Public Accountant, holds a Broker’s license, and is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Illinois CPA Society for which he is a frequent lecturer on tax subjects, and the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts. Tim, a consummate entrepreneur , is co-founder of the JMG Financial Group (Wealth Management), Equity Partners (Real Estate Management), Great Lakes REIT which was listed on the New York Stock Exchange from 1997-2004, Quoin LTD, and Skybox on Sheffield –the original Wrigley Field Rooftop owner. He cites Great Lakes REIT as his greatest achievement. Founded in 1993 with $1,000, the three founders took it public in 1997. When it became private again in 2004, it owned over $500,000,000 of suburban office buildings in the Midwest. While at SSHS, Tim was known for his beautiful tenor voice and went on to be part of the Men of Note singing ensemble at Depauw University. His rendition of Duke of Earl at a Men of Note reunion can be seen on U Tube. Tim… Read More
Mary Jane attended Miami University and was an elementary teacher in Ellettsville Indiana and for Fort Wayne Community Schools. She married the late John Wilks, class of 1961, who was the youngest United States Attorney in history when he was appointed in 1972. As a stay-at-home mom with three children, Jane was active with their activities as well as her own volunteer work with the Junior League of Fort Wayne (where she was president and an area director), church and PTA. In 1986, she was selected to be a part of the Leadership Fort Wayne program that developed and ensured high quality leadership and active involvement of citizens to meet community challenges. When the executive director position became open in 1988, she eagerly jumped at the opportunity to blend her training as an educator with her passion for community service. During her 20 year career with Leadership Fort Wayne, the program expanded from one program for professional adults to four additional programs that served youth as well as nonprofit and grassroots leaders. Her continued involvement in the community through service and leadership on numerous boards and committees includes but is not exclusive to, United Way of Allen County, the American… Read More
After graduation from IU, Louisa worked for the State of Indiana and later for Allstate Insurance as the first female adjuster for the Midwest region. Shortly thereafter she established her own business as a private investigator in Indianapolis. In 1974, Louisa was accepted to the University of San Diego School of Law and then remained in that area where she had a successful 15 year practice as a civil trial attorney. She was president of the San Diego Trial Lawyers Association and an officer of the San Diego County Bar Association. In 1991, Louise was selected to serve as a federal judge in the Southern District of California until her retirement in 2012. She is active on the local, national and international levels in legal organizations including Master of the Inns of Court, founding member of the International Association for Court Administration and was president of the Federal Magistrate Judges Association. Judge Porter was inducted into the San Diego Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame in 2004. Judge Porter is a published author of professional articles ranging from international dispute resolution and court management to aviation related issues. She is known for more whimsical articles including magazines chronicling dog rescues, flying,… Read More
Candace Shireman is Curator of Blair House, the President’s Guest House, in Washington, D. C., for official visitors of the federal government invited by the US President. She oversees the preservation of its historic structures and American cultural heritage collections belonging to the United States Department of State. She served as historic site administrator and museum curator of the Historical Society of Washington, D. C., before coming to Blair House in 2000. Over her 32 year career in American historic sites and collections stewardship, Candace has authored many publications, exhibitions and programs. She has lectured at noted museums and organizations including the Smithsonian Institution, the National Archives, the Chrysler Museum and the Cosmo9s Club, and has appeared in programs on CBS, ABC, C-SPAN and PBS. Her most recent collaboration with the State Department’s Office of the Chief of Protocol, the White House Historical Association and the Blair House Restoration Fund produced the first comprehensive, scholarly book about Blair House published in 2016. Candace holds degrees from Lake Erie College and the George Washington University. Nomination by Cynthia Shireman Mutryn, Class of 1968 Candace S. Shireman, Class of 1970
After a successful track and basketball career at SSHS (High Jump record holder at age 17), Michael went on to Ball State on a track scholarship and studied communications. His first job was in the Washington, D. C. area as a regional manager of an engineering firm, overseeing over 400 employees. Michael returned to Fort Wayne in 1994 where he became a police officer and later served as spokesperson for the department. Under the Mayor Richard and Mayor Henry administrations he was named Director of Communication for the City of Fort Wayne. Joyner developed the International Officer Exchange Program within the Police Department which resulted in an exchange program with police in Germany. As a result of the exchange program’s success, he was invited to be a keynote speaker at a United Nations sponsored SisterCities international conference in Lima, Peru, which was attended by all South American countries. Joyner was the assistant Girls Varsity coach in 2013 and 2014 when the team was Class 4A State Runner Ups. He has been a board member of Neighborhood Health Clinic and Sister Cities International and is widely respected by local business leaders and citizens. Nomination by George Davis, Class of 1952 Michael… Read More
Andrew (Andy) O’Shaughnessy M.D. attended Indiana University School of Medicine, after receiving degrees in biology and computer science from Purdue University. He then did an Internal Medicine residency and Nephrology Fellowship before returning to Fort Wayne in 1995 to work as a Nephrologist with Nephrology Associates of Northern Indiana and Illinois. Andy specializes in all aspects of kidney disease including hypertension, dialysis, transplant5 and electrolyte disorders. He is also Hospice board certified and very active in hospice care. His three children are all heading into medical fields. Andy has served on the boards of directors for Lutheran Hospital, Matthew 25 Health Clinic where he is also a clinical volunteer, the Sexual Assault Treatment Center and Physician’s Health Plan. He is a past president of the Big Brothers Big Sisters board and is currently matched with his 3rd Little over the last 35 years. He was named Board Member of the Year in 2011 by the National Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Andy and his wife Kathy are currently hosting their 4th exchange student. When Lutheran Hospital was clearing land for its new Heart Pavilion, Andy lamented on the loss of some beautiful trees. Lutheran said he could have them, so… Read More