Hall of Fame

The Towson High School Hall of Fame was founded in 1961 by Agnes Mullen Hicks (Class of 1913) who served as Alumni President for 42 years.  Today there are over 60 notable alumni in the Hall of Fame including: actors,  artists, athletes, authors, businessmen, community leaders, doctors, firemen, judges, lawyers, military, musicians, policemen, politicians, scientists, singers, teachers, volunteers and more!

The following biographies and photographs are listed by Class.  To see the Hall of Fame listed alphabetically, by class, or by year of induction, click on the links on the right.

To download Alumni Hall of Fame nomination forms click here.

 

   
Herschel H. Allen, Sr. (Deceased), Class of 1907, Hall of Fame 1962
Longtime Alumni Officer and Towson community leader, credited with seeing the completion of WWII Bronze Memorial Plaque.   As a civil engineer and senior partner of the J.E. Greiner Company, Allen was responsible for the design and construction of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel and others.
   
William Purlington Cole (Deceased), Class of 1907, Hall of Fame 2008
Founded the Alumni Association the year he graduated from Towson High School. After earning a civil engineering degree and a law degree from Maryland Agricultural College (now the University of Maryland, College Park), Cole was commissioned as first lieutenant in the U.S. Army and assigned to overseas service with the 316th Regiment of Infantry, 79th Division at Fort Meade. In 1927, Cole was elected as a Democrat to the U.S. Congress, serving several terms until 1942. He resigned from the 2nd Congressional seat in 1942 to become a judge of the U.S. Customs Court. In 1952, President Harry S. Truman appointed him to the U.S. Court of Customs and Patent Appeals; a judgeship he held until his death in 1957. In 1931, he was named to the University of Maryland Board of Regents and served as chairman of the board from 1944 to 1956; Cole Field House was named in honor of his dedicated service to the university.
   
Mary Watters Risteau (Deceased), Class of 1907, Hall of Fame 1987
"Lady of Firsts." First woman to be: Member of Maryland House of Delegates, State Senator, Member of State Board of Education, presiding member over Maryland House of Delegates and Senate. See her accomplishments.
   
Agnes Mullen Hicks(Deceased), Class of 1913, Hall of Fame 1969
Alumni President for 42 years, founded Hall of Fame.
   
Lawrence E. Ensor (Deceased), Class of 1916, Hall of Fame 1963
Maryland State's Attorney, 1938; State Insurance Commissioner, 1942; and Trustee for the Ted Prince Memorial Scholarship. Practiced law for 50 years in Towson.
   
Dr. Walter Scott Baird (Deceased), Class of 1926, Hall of Fame 1984
Scientist, physicist and Harvard University professor. Founder of Baird-Atomic, Inc., pioneered the utilization of x-ray diffraction.
   
Frederick W. Stieber (Deceased), Class of 1928, Hall of Fame 1987
U.S. Olympian in field hockey. Elected to Maryland Sports Hall of Fame. Starred at U. of Maryland in football, basketball and lacrosse.
   
Norris A. King (Deceased), Class of 1929, Hall of Fame 1995
Longtime Maryland educator. Teacher, vice principal and principal at several elementary and junior high schools. Became Director of Secondary Education in 1956, Director of Central Area in 1965 and Assistant Superintendent in 1971.
   
William H. Kaufman, MD (Deceased), Class of 1930, Hall of Fame 1990
Air Force Major and physician. Served in the Air Force from 1941-1945 in the 53rd Fighter Squadron in the Panama Canal Zone and European Theater and the 32nd and 36th Fighter Groups in the same locations, respectively. Dermatologist in private practice in Virginia. Authored 31 published titles.
   
James Leslie (Deceased), Class of 1930, Hall of Fame 1961
Devoted science and physical education teacher and student counselor at Towson High. Highly successful THS Lacrosse coach.
   
Margaret Myers DeMoss (Deceased), Class of 1933, Hall of Fame 1990
Longtime Alumni Corresponding and Recording secretary. Towson and Baltimore County community affairs activist.
   
Edward Angell (Deceased), Class of 1934, Hall of Fame 1994
Physically handicapped salesman who walked and depended on transit buses to sell thousands of pairs of Mason shoes and Christmas cards for more than 30 years.
   
Ann Conkling Seitz (Deceased), Class of 1934, Hall of Fame 1984
Served the Alumni Association for over 62 years, including many years as Recording Secretary and Alumni Historian. Worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 30 years.
   
Brig. Gen. John F. Burk, Jr. (Deceased), Class of 1935, Hall of Fame 1986
Was Captain at the Battle of the Bulge with the 289th Infantry, 75th Division. Infantry Company Commander, European Theater, WWII. Assistant Division Commander, 28th Infantry and Project Coordinator for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  Chairman, Maryland World War II Commission. Owner of Jack Burk Promotions in Timonium, Maryland.
   
Jane Foster Tucker (Deceased), Class of 1935, Hall of Fame 2007
An extraordinary civic volunteer whose organizational and leadership skills benefited the towns of Oxford and Talbot County for over 40 years. Historian who wrote three books: "A Port of Entry - Oxford Maryland (1969)", "Half Pint (1975)" and "Jeremiah Banning: mariner and patriot (1977)." Longtime board member of Easton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Talbot County Historical Society, Talbot County Free Library, Oxford Museum and Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. (Awarded posthumously.)
   
Ellison W. Ensor (Deceased), Class of 1936, Hall of Fame 1987
Baltimore County Chief of Police. Served 34 years in department.
   
Deane Clark Laycock (Deceased), Class of 1937, Hall of Fame 1997
Business and finance professional. First woman to be named Executive Assistant to the President of Yale University, Assistant Treasurer of Radcliffe College and Trust Officer and Vice President of the Fiduciary Trust Co., Boston. Was Executive Director of the Arthritis Foundation, Massachusetts Chapter.
   
Jean Marie Donnell (Deceased), Class of 1938, Hall of Fame 1988
Actress, movies and television. Appeared in more than 50 movies including "Walk Softly Stranger," "My Sister Eileen" and "Tora, Tora, Tora".  Is best known as Gidget's mother in the Gidget movie series. Played Stella Fields on "General Hospital" and Alice on The George Gobel Show.
   
Dr. Alvin C. Loewer (Deceased), Class of 1938, Hall of Fame 1986
Doctorate in Engineering from Johns Hopkins. Captain in U.S. Army during WWII. Expert in design and construction of structures and building systems and reinforced and pre-stressed concrete. Designed Washington Tower in Gaithersburg and Ocean City (MD) Convention Center.
   
Hon. Norman P. Ramsey (Deceased), Class of 1939, Hall of Fame 1984
Attorney and judge. Assistant State's Attorney, 1948-50, Assistant Maryland Attorney General, 1955, Associate Judge of United States District Court, Maryland, 1980, President of Baltimore Civil Service Commission and Baltimore City School Board.
   
Dr. Calvin M. Class, PhD (Deceased), Class of 1940, Hall of Fame 1988
Professor and nuclear physicist. Received Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins and was a research nuclear physicist 1944-46. Awarded Guggenheim Fellowship Award in 1955. Professor of Physics at Rice University.
   
Hugh O. Defries, MD, (Deceased), Class of 1941, Hall of Fame 2006
Physician and Otolaryngologist. Graduated Cum Laude from Harvard University in 1947.  Received his medical degree from the University of Leyden, Netherlands in 1957. Continued with postgraduate studies in otolaryngology at the University of Pennsylvania in 1958. Entered Navy during World War I and served for 20 years as a Line Officer aboard destroyers and later a Captain in the USN Medical Corps. Chairman, Department of Otolaryngology, National Naval Medical Center and Professor of Surgery and Chairman of Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Georgetown School of Medicine. Nationally known for his work with jaw and tongue reconstruction and rehab following surgery for oral malignancies. Has published many professional articles.
   
Barbara Blackstone Hanlon, (Deceased), Class of 1942, Hall of Fame 1988
Postmaster for Hydes, Maryland for over 22 years. Alumni officer and board member for over 20 years. Created alumni database.
   
Louise Schnaufer, MD (Deceased), Class of 1942, Hall of Fame 2011
A graduate of Wellesley College (1947) and the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania (1951) who became an internationally renowned pediatric surgeon with pioneering achievements in the separation of conjoined Siamese twins and reconstructive diaphragm surgery. Traveled extensively during her professional career, teaching surgical techniques or performing pro bono operations in third world countries. One of only three pediatric surgeons to receive the Arnold M. Salzberg Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics in 1999.
   
Harry M. Trebing PhD (Deceased), Class of 1944, Hall of Fame 1994
Educator and economist. Served in the US Army. Ph.D. in Economics, University of Wisconsin. Professor of Economics University of Nebraska and Michigan State. Chief Economist with the FCC and Postal Rate Commission. Received Distinguished Service Awards from University of Florida, New Mexico State, Georgia and Ohio State.
   
Charles B. Elder, Sr. (Deceased), Class of 1945, Hall of Fame 2020
Korean War Prisoner of War. Fought in the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge (Sept-Oct 1951) until his unit was captured by the North Koreans. They were made to march for 25-30 days to the prison camp. His hip was wounded in battle, and when he became unable to walk, rode on an ox cart. He was operated on in roadside hut with kitchen utensils and no anesthesia. His wound grew fetid and filled with maggots. Many died during the march; he was the only one on the cart to survive. Camp was brutally cold and the work detail very strenuous. After attempting escape, he spent time in solitary confinement. He was held for two years until the armistice was signed on July 27,1953, his birthday.  Received Purple Heart.  Charles B. Elder, Sr. died October 17, 2017 at the age of 90.
   
Joyce Hens Green, Class of 1945, Hall of Fame 1995
Lawyer, judge and author. Appointed United States District Judge for Washington, DC in 1979 and Chief Judge of the US Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court in 1988. She collaborated on "Dissolution of the Marriage" and "Marriage and Family Law" published in 1986 and 1984 respectively.
   
Richard Hood Harryman, (Deceased), Class of 1946, Hall of Fame 2001
Professional artist, illustrator, designer, and lecturer. Founder and President of Maryland College of Art and Design, Inc., Chesapeake Gallery, Harryman and Associates and Morlock, Harryman and Parks, Inc. Donated 50 prints to help entice Alumni lifetime memberships.
   
Mary Lou Simms McAllister, Class of 1946, Hall of Fame 2020
Volunteer and Community Activist recognized for dedication and service to the Town of St. Michaels, Maryland. A founder of Christmas in St. Michaels, which since 1987 has raised $1.4 million, establishing a local daycare and a community center as well as providing much needed support to countless community non-profits. Mary Lou chaired the committee that raised the funds to build a community pool and continues to work to ensure that everyone has access. She also chairs an after school academic program for grades 1 through 8. She has served on numerous working Boards including the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, the Academy Art Museum, and the local CASA, to name a few.
   
   
Col. Bettie Edmonds, (Retired), Class of 1947, Hall of Fame 1992
Air Force Colonel, nurse and artist. Served in Libya as Charge Nurse during Suez Crisis. Promoted to Full Colonel and Staff Officer in charge of all Air Force Nurse Corps Assignments in 1973. Retired to Texas in 1974 and organized L.B. Ranch Studio while working on the history of "Texas Hill Country." Published "Along Country Roads in the Texas Hill Country".
   
Liz Whitney Quisgard, Class of 1947, Hall of Fame 1988
Nationally renowned painter and sculptor. Teacher at Maryland Institute, College of Art; Goucher College and University of Maryland. Her works can be seen throughout the country including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and locally at the Life of Maryland Gallery.
   
Herbert Fishpaw (Deceased), Class of 1948, Hall of Fame 2004
Master plumber, gas fitter, educator, volunteer, reservist. US Naval Reserve 1951-91. Handled plumbing reconstruction of Bancroft Hall, construction of Baltimore Civic Center, St. Agnes Hospital, Jet Propulsion Building at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab. Earned Certified Instructor Degree and instructor, Purdue University, 1979-89. Instructor Washtenaw CC, Michigan 1990-95. Volunteer to Maryland State Board of Education and State Advisory Board concerning Vocational Education. Navy Achievement Medal.
   
Charles L. Amos, (Deceased), Class of 1949, Hall of Fame 2003
Successful railroad professional rising to work for the Federal Railroad Administration. Accomplished painter having works of railroad scenes and landscapes displayed in many prominent institutions.
   
Blair Cross (Deceased), Class of 1949, Hall of Fame 2003
Received Purple Heart in Korean War and was very active in veteran’s affairs heading many civic veteran’s organizations and founding the Maryland Homeless Veterans Rehabilitation Center in Baltimore.
   
James Wines, Class of 1950, Hall of Fame 1985
Internationally renowned architect and sculptor. Designed state-of the-art Best Products buildings. Founder and President of SITE, Inc. --"Sculpture in the Environment."
   
   
John Larsen, Class of 1951, Hall of Fame 2020
Successful business career with Etonic, Inc and New Balance, Inc in the sports footwear and apparel industry since 1961. Long-time executive with New Balance holding the positions of President, Chief Operation Officer and President Emeritus/Advisor, over his 29-year career. Has served/serves as Chairman of Board and Honorary President of: the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry, an association that represents its members to such organizations as the International Olympic Committee, FIFA, the World Trade Organization. Serves as Chairman of the United States Footwear Manufacturers Association, an organization which deals with government footwear procurement and USA tariff issues. John also serves on local boards, including Franciscan Hospital for Children in Boston.
   
M. Jacqueline McCurdy, Class of 1951, Hall of Fame 1991
Lawyer, woman of firsts. Graduated from Hood College, 1955 with honors in Economics, received Juris Doctorate from University of Maryland School of Law in 1958. First woman States Attorney for Baltimore County and first woman admitted to the Baltimore County Bar Association. Also admitted to Superior Court, New York and American Bar Associations. Delegate, Maryland House of Delegates and Legislative Aide to Chairman of Ways and Means Committee. Assistant and Associate General Counsel for Distilled Spirits Institute and Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. Has received several awards including Legislator of the Year and Who's Who in the South and of American Women. Retired from Joseph Seagram and Sons as a Vice President in 1994.
   
Lowell B. Nesbitt (Deceased), Class of 1951, Hall of Fame 1984
Internationally renowned artist and realist painter especially known for his paintings of flowers. Studied at Royal College of Art in London and had openings in Germany, Switzerland and Sweden. His art has been shown in 22 museums including Denver Art Museum, National Air and Space Museum, National Gallery of Art, National Gallery-Berlin and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. See his biography.
   
Brig. Gen. James Wade Shufelt, (Deceased), Class of 1951, Hall of Fame 1986
Commissioned 2nd Lt. in US Army Air Defense Artillery, 1955, Field Commander Big Red One's cavalry squadron division, Europe, Deputy Commanding General for US Support, US Army Intelligence, Deputy director for operations, plans and training, defense intelligence agency and Security Command at the Pentagon. Awarded Legion of Merit with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal. Elected to Johns Hopkins (where he graduated from in 1955) ROTC Wall of Fame which celebrates particularly accomplished ROTC alumni. Served in Vietnam. President of Snack Food Association.
   
John S. White, Jr., Class of 1952, Hall of Fame 1987
US Army 1956-1958. Technician, specialist and curator of Gems and Mineralogy, curator-in-charge at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC (1963-1991). Founder, editor and publisher of The Mineralogical Record. Curator of the Hope Diamond. Currently runs consulting business for museum curation. See full biography.
   
Myra Bonhage-Hale, Class of 1953, Hall of Fame 2008
Received B.A. in 1957 from Washington College, Chestertown, Maryland. Majors were Psych. Soc., Spanish and an M.S.W. in 1965 from University of Maryland School of Social Work and Community Planning. Major - Community Organization. She is an herbalist who transformed a run-down homestead into a certified organic farm with seasonal workshops, college apprenticeships and a listing on the National Registry of Historic Places. With the creation of her environmentally friendly product line and her initiatives to develop markets in WVA, Myra was named Green Entrepreneur of the Year in 2005 by the WVA Environmental Council. One of the founders of the Sustainable Living for West Virginia Organization, a group that works with statewide educators and federal agencies, to encourage sustainable solutions in the economic, environmental, spiritual, and social arenas. Myra was described in the June 2007 issue of Wonderful West Virginia as a ‘noted herbalist, award-winning entrepreneur, former community organizer and lifelong advocate for people and justice’. www.lapaixherbfarmproducts.com
   
William C. Brainard, PhD, Class of 1953, Hall of Fame 2003
Economics expert and educator.  BA, Physics - Oberlin College 1957. Earned Masters and Doctorate at Yale University in economics. Teacher, provost and chairman at Yale as well as director of Yale's Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics. 1996-2002 Board Chairman, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Co-editor of Brooking Papers of Economic Activity.
   
Ralph Gakenheimer, PhD, Class of 1953, Hall of Fame 2003
Urban planning expert. Earned civil engineering degree from Johns Hopkins, Masters from Cornell and PhD from U. of Pennsylvania. Educator with the University of North Carolina and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Consulted with many countries, including Egypt, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Thailand, Sri Lanka, China and India as well as several Latin American countries concerning urban planning problems. He has worked with the US Department of Transportation on several metropolitan projects. He has also authored several books and extensive professional publications.
   
Elwood H. Banister, (Deceased), Class of 1954, Hall of Fame 2006
Early volunteer experiences with the Cockeysville Volunteer Fire Department led to a professional career in fire protection and emergency medical care in Baltimore County for 38 years. From 1990-1994 served as Fire Chief of the Baltimore County Fire Department, the 5th largest in North America. Procedures that Banister developed for high-rise firefighting in Baltimore Co. received national recognition. At the state level, he served on the Maryland Fire and Rescue Education Training Commission, the Governor’s Emergency Management Advisory Committee, the Maryland State Fire & Emergency Medical Coalition, and the Maryland State Fire Prevention Commission.
   
Thomas Jessop (Deceased),Class of 1954, Hall of Fame 2004
Management leader and volunteer. B.A. 1959 University of Maryland. Kraft VP and Director for 30 years. Volunteer and President with ARC for 10+ years. Kraft Jade Award for Management Excellence, Oconee County, Florida, Volunteer Family of the Year, 2002.
   
Margaret Musterman Houghton, Class of 1954, Hall of Fame 1994
Judge and legislator. Earned Juris Doctorate from University of Arizona. Admitted to the Supreme Court of Arizona and the Federal District Court of Arizona, 1976. Ad hoc committee member responsible for creating domestic violence legislation adopted by Arizona Legislature. Awarded Distinguished Graduate Award, University of Arizona, YMCA ‘Women on the Move’ Award and Planned Parenthood of Southern Arizona, Sara Weddington Legal Advocacy Award.
   
Ellen Oosterling Moyer, Class of 1954, Hall of Fame 1999
Educator, cultural, social and political activist. Director of Government Relations, Political Action Coordinator and Lobbyist for the MSTA. Served as Executive Director of the Maryland Commission for Woman and was appointed to numerous boards and committees by five Maryland governors. Elected and served as first female Mayor of Annapolis, Maryland. Selected three times by the Daily Record as one of the top 100 Women in the State, she also served on the State Board of Education, where she helped initiate programs for gifted and talented students and served on the State Racing Commission. A community activist she is a founder of Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. In recognition of her initiatives furthering environmental causes Back Creek Nature Park is named in her honor. Among her many awards, Penn State University recognized her as a distinguished Alum.
   
Karl Rippelmeyer, Class of 1954, Hall of Fame 2014
Karl's outstanding Athletic accomplishments have been recognized by the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame, the US Naval Academy Athletic Hall of Fame and the prestigious USNA Award for Athletic Excellence. After graduation from the US Naval Academy, "Rip" entered the United States Marine Corp for a distinguished 20 years of service rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel. He commanded the famous suicide Charlie Company in the 7th Marines in Viet Nam and is the recipient of numerous awards including the Bronze Star for extraordinary Heroism and Meritorious Service. A dedicated Professional in Security matters, he has volunteered his time as an instructor with Police Departments in the US. Despite an old shoulder injury that has left his right hand paralyzed, Karl coaches youth lacrosse in Nevada leading the high school Green Valley Club to championship recognition.
   
William Morgan Stewart (Deceased), , Class of 1954, Hall of Fame 2004
Journalist and foreign relations official and correspondent. Second Lt. Infantry, US Army, 1959. State Department, US Foreign Service 1961-71 including Vice Consul, Bombay, Aide in Washington DC, Saigon and Vietnam. Time magazine correspondent, writer, Bureau Chief (New Delhi, Tokyo, Middle East, Southeast Asia) and associate editor 1971-91. Covered many world events while putting himself in harm’s way. Met over 50 world leaders.
   
Donald LaFayette Strohmeyer (Deceased), Class of 1954, Hall of Fame 2004
Business operations and motivational leader, volunteer. BellSouth Chairman, President and CEO, employee for 42+ years. Credited with managing the restoration of power following Hurricane Andrew. Volunteer leader with Junior Achievement and National Association of Mental Illness. Republican and Democratic National Convention Special Recognition Awards, 1972, BellSouth Eagle White Hat Award, 1986, BellSouth Galaxy Award, 1996, for Hurricane Andrew Restoration, Outstanding Achievement Award, 1996, Atlanta Olympics. Member, Florida Hall of Fame.
   
Ellen Richmond Sauerbrey, Class of 1955, Hall of Fame 2006
Teacher and current politician. Graduated from Western Maryland College.  Was teacher/department chair at Towson and Ridgely Junior High Schools. Elected to Maryland House of Delegates, 1978-86 and Minority Leader from 1986-1994 where she served on the appropriations, ways and means and joint budget committees. Was Republican Nominee for Governor in1994 and 1988. Appointed US Delegate to the UN Commission on Human Rights and UN Commission on the Status of Women where she worked on problems including HIV/AIDS in third world countries, women and child trafficking and women's educational needs. Nominated by President George W. Bush as Assistant Secretary of State. Has received numerous awards including Legislator of the Year, Maryland State of Mind Award and the National Federation of Republican Women's Margaret Chase Award.
   
Elizabeth Rhudy Austin, PhD, Class of 1956, Hall of Fame 2006
Composer and musician. Attended Peabody Conservatory and Goucher College where she was awarded a scholarship to study at the American Conservatory in Fontainebleau, France, 1958. She received her Master’s in music from the University of Hartford and her PhD from the University of Connecticut. Her works have been published by Tonger Verlag (Germany), Arisis Press and recorded on the Capstone and Leonarda labels. Her music has been performed internationally with premiers in Weimar, Mannheim, Nashville and Baltimore and has won numerous awards. More information.
   
Nicholas K. Venetoulis (Deceased), Class of 1956, Hall of Fame 2016
Nick began his music career at 19 and was known professionally as ‘Nick Venet’. By 21 he was a producer and head of A&R at Capitol records, where he signed the Beach Boys and produced some of their early material. Over the years he also signed and produced The Letterman, Bobby Darin, Glen Campbell, Jim Croce, The Kingston Trio, Ricky Nelson and many others. Years later, at United Artists, the long list of artists included Don McLean, Sam Cooke, Wayne Newton and Frank Zappa. He was one of the founders of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the organization that awards the Grammys, and remained a trustee until he died. Nick was heavily involved in community service including long-time involvement in the American Indian Movement. He received the George Washington Carver Memorial Institute’s Award of Merit and Honorary Fellowship for his volunteer work promoting music in troubled areas of L.A. This work was later adopted by NARAS and became their ‘Grammys in the Schools’ program, which is still active today. (Awarded posthumously.)
   
P. Douglas Dollenberg, Class of 1957, Hall of Fame 2004
Real Estate Developer and Investor. Graduated from University of Maryland with a BS in Civil Engineering and from Purdue University with a Masters in Civil Engineering. Headed Nottingham Properties as President since 1979 and was guiding force behind White Marsh Town Center, the Avenue at White Marsh and many other developments. Has served on numerous committees and task forces including Gov. Glendening's Transportation Trust Fund Advisory Board, Towson Task Force, Technical Advisory Committee for Growth Management, the Task Force on Economic Development and the Urban Land Institute.
   
John Gardiner Evans, Class of 1958, Hall of Fame 2007
Began as a Sales Associate in the real estate business in 1965. Evans moved up the ladder to Executive Vice President and owner of Piper & Company. In 1984, he became one of the four partners who developed O’Conor Piper Flynn Realtors into one of the country’s largest residential brokerage firms. In 2003, Evans was named COO of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage with more than 90 offices and 4,000 associates in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Recognized for his integrity and professional achievements, The Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors honored him with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.
   
Betsy "Sunny" Griffin, Class of 1958, Hall of Fame 2008
Griffin was declared the highest-paid fashion model in the world by Ford Modeling Agency in 1966. She was featured in national and international magazine covers, appeared in television commercials and represented sponsors such as Virginia Slims, Avon and Clairol. Griffin co-starred with Dustin Hoffman in the 20th Century Fox film, John and Mary (1969). Became corporate spokesperson and Director of Beauty and Fashion for Avon Products, Inc. In 1980 she was a co-host and special correspondent on ABC's Good Morning America and later hosted her own syndicated show, Twice a Woman. Founder of Astara Skin Care, a line of botanical products that has become internationally known. www.astaraskincare.com
   
Dr. Sue Wilkinson Thompson, Class of 1958, Hall of Fame 2008
Founder of Head Huggers, a volunteer organization that creates hats for people who have hair loss due to chemotherapy, brain surgery or burn wounds. Over 100 international and local satellite groups provide hand-made hats to oncology offices, hospitals and hospices. www.headhuggers.org In 2005, Thompson began another group that distributes handmade items for newborn babies to pregnancy crisis centers and maternity homes in her local area. Within a few months, satellite groups were also formed from Canada to Australia. www.miracleshappen.us Her humanitarian efforts also extended to the Maryland Correctional Institute for Women in Jessup, MD where she worked with inmates by teaching, sewing, knitting and crocheting groups.
   
Peter Willoughby Traynor (Deceased), Class of 1960, Hall of Fame 1995
Designer, environmentalist, writer and illustrator of children's books. His illustrations have been shown at the Smithsonian Institute and Louvre Museum, Paris.
   
Harris Glenn Milstead, "Divine" (Deceased), Class of 1963, Hall of Fame 2011
After forging a life-long friendship with future director, John Waters, at THS, Divine rose to pop icon status in the music and film industries. In the late 1970's, he began a successful career as a disco singer and released several dance records which were club hits in the US, Canada, Europe and Australia. Best known for his portrayal of Edna Turnblad in the 1988 movie, Hairspray. Combining his pop icon status as a singer, actor, female impersonator and comedian, he left an indelible impression on the entertainment community.
   
Robert B. Tunney (Deceased), Class of 1963, Hall of Fame 2006
Career Maryland State Policeman specializing in missing and exploited children and criminal investigation. Graduated from University of Maryland Law Enforcement Institute and Maryland State Police Academy, 1966. Awarded Superintendent's Commendation for saving a life, Governor's Citation for Excellence in Criminal Investigation, nominated for State Trooper of the Year and named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by Salisbury Jaycees. Appointed to Governor's Committee on Missing Children and the Advisory Committee to the Office for Children and Youth and received Distinguished Service Award from the Maryland Law Enforcement Officers for said work. Became a Mental Health Counselor in 1991 to help with drug abuse education in the community until his death in 2005.
   
Martin P. Azola, Class of 1964, Hall of Fame 1987
Renowned restoration developer and remodeler. Awarded Professional Achievement Award from "Professional Builder Magazine" and National Association of Home Builders Award and Remodeling Magazine's Big 50 Award for "companies that have set the standard for professionalism and integrity through smart marketing, exemplary business practices, unique design...". Owner and President of Azola Building Services in Brooklandville, Maryland. Serves on the Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland Board of Directors.
   
Marilee Shepler Cole, MD, Class of 1964, Hall of Fame 2004
Physician, educator and humanitarian. Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, MD Degree 1972. DTMH degree, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine 2002. Associate Professor Georgetown University Hospital. Founding member and president of Society for Medical Women Faculty. 2000-04 volunteer physician at Banso Hospital, Cameroon. American Association of Medical Colleges Women in Leadership Development Award, 2003.
   
   
C. Greg Elliott, MD, Class of 1965, Hall of Fame 2020
Pulmonologist, Physician Scientist, Chairman of Medicine, and Medical Director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Center at Intermountain Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1983 this center was established by Dr. Elliott as one of a few select centers identified by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with pulmonary hypertension. His ground-breaking research, specifically his gene mutation and genetics research, has been recognized across the globe and has led to advances in understanding and treating a once fatal disease.
   
James P. Morris, Class of 1965, Hall of Fame 1985
Internationally renowned baritone. Was youngest solo artist of the New York Metropolitan Opera Company at 23. Also performed with the Baltimore Opera Company.
   
Randy Dase, Class of 1972, Hall of Fame 2019
Taught U. S. History, Economics, Government and Constitutional Law at Towson High for 43 years - the longest alumni teaching career at Towson High to date.  Coached over 85 seasons of soccer, basketball, lacrosse and badminton for the Generals - the longest alumni coaching career at Towson High to date.  Was inducted into the Towson High Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013 for his athletic and coaching accomplishments.
 
   
Sean Stackley, Class of 1975, Hall of Fame 2020
High Ranking Naval Officer. Was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy - Research, Development and Acquisition ASN (RDA) by President GW Bush in 2008 and was retained by President Obama through 2017. In 2017 he served as Acting Secretary of the Navy after President Trump was elected. From 2005-2008 he served as a professional staff member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Sean has received numerous Military Awards and Achievement Medals throughout his naval career. He graduated with distinction from the United State Naval Academy in 1979, with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He also holds the degrees of Ocean Engineer and Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is a certified professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
   
Willy Conley, Class of 1976, Hall of Fame 2020
Holds a BS in Biomedical Photographic Communications from the Rochester Institute of Technology, and became the first deaf Registered Biological Photographer, working at many prominent hospitals around the country. Earned an MA in Creative Writing/Playwriting from Boston University and later was the first deaf student to earn an MFA in theatre from Towson University. He was an Associate Artist for ten years at Center Stage in Baltimore. Today, he is the most widely produced, living deaf playwright with over 20 plays and nearly as many awards and nominations to his credit. He has taught at Gallaudet University for nearly 30 years, where he is a full professor of the Theatre and Dance program. In addition to being a photographer, playwright and scholar, he is also an actor, director, poet, and novelist.
   
Derek Waters, Class of 1998, Hall of Fame 2020
Actor, writer, director, producer, creator. Best known as the creator, executive producer, director and host of the Comedy Central hit series ’Drunk History’, now in its seventh season (2020). When asked about his days at Towson High Waters writes “Mr. Stange was an inspiration to me. He brought history to life for me through his storytelling and humor, my hope was that I could do that for other people. If I could make the audience laugh, then maybe I could get them to pay attention to these incredible people and moments in history.” To date, Waters has received seven Emmy nominations for producing and directing the show.
(Gil Stange ’82 is an alumnus of Towson High and has been teaching social studies and history at THS since 1991.)