FREDERICKTOWN – A former state house representative, a Pulitzer Prize winner and a lieutenant colonel are among some of the titles earned by the latest inductees to Fredericktown Local Schools Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor.
The district added six Fredericktown alumni to its hall of honor Friday, a recognition given to graduates who reflect positively on the district through significant contributions in their fields of study, careers or community service.
Fredericktown’s interim supt. Jim Peterson helped start the hall of honor 10 years ago, during his previous employment at the district. When opening and closing Friday’s ceremony, Peterson commended Betty Weller, a former Fredericktown business teacher and current hall of honor committee member, for being the driving force of the hall.
Friday marked the district’s fourth hall of honor induction ceremony.
Chad Cochran, class of 1990, is an award-winning photographer. His pictures have been featured in publications such as Rolling Stone, Billboard Magazine and Guitar Players Magazine.
While a student at Fredericktown, Cochran played football. He also has a long-held love of music, which he continued at Bowling Green University through participating in band.
Cochran has blended his passions for music and photography throughout his career, as well as a passion he developed later in life — encouraging conversations about mental health.
These three passions come together in his work “I Didn’t Want to Tell You,” which features musicians discussing their mental health challenges in an attempt to decrease the stigma around the subject.
“Some of the coolest things I’ve had happen — sure, having a photo in Times Square in New York City, pretty cool — but being able to also help spread the word about mental healthcare through the connections and the friendships that I’ve made in the industry has been fantastic,” Cochran said.
Cochran’s advice to the class of 2022: “It’s never too late to work hard at something you are passionate about.”
Matthew Erick, class of 1986, is the current CEO of Biocon, a drug manufacturing company headquartered in India. Throughout his career, Erick has contributed to various sectors in the medical field, including oncology, infectious disease, respirators, women’s health and dermatology.
Erick’s former geometry teacher Bob Moore introduced him Friday, starting his introduction by jokingly stating Erick would have to define the pythagorean theorem in order to be inducted. While Moore said math was not Erick’s strong subject at Fredericktown, he persevered — both to get through his geometry course and in his career after graduation.
Erick’s advice to the class of 2022: “Ask yourself these three questions, which I continue to do: where are you going, how are you going to get there and what are you going to do when you get there?”
John Long, class of 1958, shares staff Pulitzer Prizes related to 9/11 in the Wall Street Journal. Throughout Long’s career as a journalist, he has met several high-profile people, including Mother Teresa.
Long’s newspaper career started in Fredericktown, with the Knox County Citizen and the Danville Times. His resume has since been filled with work ranging from reporting across various topics, such as religion, serving in the Peace Corps and teaching the next generation as a professor.
Long’s advice to the class of 2022: “Never pretend to know anything you don’t. Develop a keen sense of doubt. Do what you think is right and let the chips fall where they may.”
Long went on to add, “Learn from your failures. Do something you think you can’t do, and then say, ‘If I can do that, I can do anything.’ “
Steve Moore, class of 1972, served in the ranking of lieutenant colonel in the military, but as a student at Fredericktown, a military calling had not seemed likely.
Moore received a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and lithography from Columbus College of Art and design, but after years in mid-level management positions and not finding work in his related field of study, he became motivated to make a difference.
Moore joined the U.S. Army nine years after graduating from Fredericktown, and his career has spanned work with Blackhawk, Apache and drone technology. He has received various awards, including the Legion of Merit and multiple Oak Leaf Clusters.
Moore asked the class of 2022 how they will make a difference in the life of others. His advice: “Be passionate, be courageous and help those less fortunate.”
Margaret Ann Ruhl, class of 1974, served as a state representative beginning in 2008. Her district included Knox and Morrow counties, as well as parts of Richland and Ashland counties.
Ruhl grew up on a farm on the edge of Waterford and said she became a politician by chance. She began her career in politics as a clerk for the Mount Vernon city auditor, and years later the community elected her as the Knox County Auditor, where she went on to receive the distinguished auditor title from the County Auditor’s Association of Ohio.
Ruhl’s advice to the class of 2022 stems from her experience as a politician, specifically being tasked to work with people she does not always agree with.
“You need to work with people you don’t like … You just have to open up your ears and listen.”
Henry Streby, class of 1997, the youngest inductee, is an associate professor of ecology at the University of Toledo. He has authored multiple ornithological articles, which is a branch of zoology related to birds, and received various honors and awards.
While a student at Fredericktown, Streby preferred the outdoors to the classroom, his mother Peggy Streby said as she introduced her son Friday.
Streby has made a living based on his love of the outdoors. He received a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, a master’s in ecology and evolutionary biology, and a PhD in wildlife ecology and management.
Streby dedicated his doctoral thesis to his Fredericktown science teacher, Tracie Weller.
In his speech Friday, Streby said he has been able to excel thanks to caring teachers who did not let him fall through the cracks. He sees each day as a professor how robust K-12 education helps students achieve.
Streby’s advice: “Take care of kid’s mental health and respect them and appreciate them for all their diversity.”
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Anyone can nominate an inductee by filling out applications at the superintendent’s office. The hall of honor committee then selects inductees based on professional achievement and community service. The committee includes Jim Peterson, William Elder, Chris Well and Betty Weller.
