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Academia, Arts and Writing

Class of 1967      Dr. Don Stacks

 

The Institute for Public Relations will award

Don W. Stacks, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Strategic Communication at the University of Miami

the prestigious Jack Felton Medal for Lifetime Achievement, an award

made for lifetime contributions in the advancement of research, measurement and evaluation in public relations and corporate communication

  • Ariel Hart Anderson Class of 1971 was honored with the 2017 Distinguished Teaching Award by Western Michigan University.  The University honored Dr. Anderson for being an exceptional educator and mentor and demonstrating outstanding dedication to her work. The the Distinguished Teaching Award is the highest honor given by the University to recognize faculty members for their work with students.

 

 

 

Elizabeth Ann Atkins  Class of 1985

 

  • Best-selling author of over 20 books and co-founder of Two Sisters Writing & Publishing
  • Actress, TV host and Award-winning journalist
  • Professionsl Ghost writer and co-founder of Two Sisters
  • Master's in Journalism from Columbia and bachelor's in English Literature from University of Michigan
  • Alumni guest speaker at Okemos High School

 

Catherine Atkins-Greenspan  Class of 1986

  • Co-founder of Atkins & Greenspan Writing and Two Sisters Writing & Publishing
  • Three novels The Veronica Series
  • Active with the American Association of University Women
  • Master's in Writing from the University of San Francisco and bachelor's in English Literature from University of Michigan
  • Alumni guest speaker at Okemos High School

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                   

Memories of OHS Teacher Dale Brubaker – by Kerry J. Byrnes (Class of ’63)

Dale Lee Brubaker (7/16/37 – 6/6/13)

Dale Brubaker

“Susan Jacoby, prominent writer at The Washington Post and The New York Times, as well as the author of several books including the best-selling The Age of American Unreason, helped me see what I was about as a high school teacher: ‘The best thing a teacher can do for a student is open up a wider world….’” (Dale Brubaker, personal communication.  Susan Jacoby, Okemos High School class of 1963).

<Click to Read>

Bryan Forney Class of 1993

Bryan Forney Student Bio

 

Lt. Col. Bryan Forney, U.S. Marine Corps

 

 

 

 

 

 

Algebra and Astronomy Teacher

 

 

"Trapped in a burning helicopter on a mountain top in Thailand, both knees crushed and his left arm shattered and useless, watching flames cross the ceiling as he thought, I'm not going to make it.  This is it."

The Miraculous and Inspirational Story of

Bryan Forney, Okemos Class of 1993

reprinted from MEA Voice, Dec. 2017 by Brenda Ortega

 

Class of 2002

Stephen Carrasco

New York Broadway actor.

 

 

 

                                                                 Class of 1957

Joseph Ferrar

 

Valedictorian, Class of 1957

Professor of Mathematics, The Ohio State University

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Class of 1954

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class of 1930

Sterling Silver Alf  1911-1995

Painter.  Painted a wall mural in the old Okemos Community Church and the painting below.

Class of 2003

Author Katie Slivensky, Book Signing and Okemos Schools presentation

Katie's presentation to Okemos Schools on September 28, 2017 was underwritten by Okemos Education Foundation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard Turner, Class of 1961

and

John Turner, Class of 1965

 

Class of 1935

Hugh Holloway

 

 

 

     Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral Degrees at Michigan State University and Math Instructor

     Visiting Professor at Mankato State University

     Superintendent of Schools in several school districts

     President of Sheldon Jackson College

     WWII veteran and Colonel, Air Force Reserves

Class of 1935     C. Nolan Bartow

Master Violin Maker

In 1947, Bartow went to Dearborn to take lessons in violin making from John Hitter at the Edison Institute, later pursuing postgraduate studies in Frankfort, Germany and Cremona, Italy, the home of the most famous violin maker, Antonio Stradivarius.

Bartow said, few people are willing to devote the time necessary to learn about physics, chemistry, music, pharmacology, acoustics, and woodworking, which are a few of the things a person needs to know to make a good violin.

In 1975, he established the "Bartow Institute of Professional Violin Making," offering a 4-year course in the design and handcrafting of stringed instruments.

Randolf Webster         Teacher      1957-1958

Graduated from East Lansing High School in 1951 as class president and with honors…and state wrestling champ!

Master's degree and doctorate from MSU.  Freshman class vice-president, freshman-sophomore council president, sophomore class president, chief justice of the all judiciary branch of student government, president of Blue Key, member of Green Helmet, vice-president of Excalibur, senior class vice-president, a cadet lieutenant colonel.

At MSU commissioned second lieutenant in the air corps and distinguished military graduate.  Active duty then reservist 25 years, an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel.

Mr. Webster taught American History and English at Okemos High School in 1957-1958.

Assistant Director of Student Activities at MSU while earning a doctorate in Education

Dr. Webster became Dean of Students and later vice-president at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois.  “Faculty, staff and students were all touched by his integrity, acceptance, collaboration, social activism and, above all, his gentle manner"