Three Members of OWU Community Inducted into Delaware Community Schools Hall of Fame
Delaware City Schools recently inducted six individuals into its Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame, many of whom have ties to Ohio Wesleyan. Pictured from left are Peggy, Kyle, and Christopher Eberst (accepting the award in memory of Larry Eberst); Abigail Nims; Joe DiGenova; Tony McCleery; and Brent Carson. Clifford Dochterman was unable to attend the ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Delaware City Schools)
Delaware City Schools recently inducted six individuals into the combined Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame, which recognizes alumni and friends who have excelled in their careers, athletics, or the arts.
Of the six 2014 inductees, four also have ties to the Ohio Wesleyan family. The newest inductees to the Hall of Fame are:
Clifford L. Dochterman, OWU Class of 1947. He spent 40 years in higher education at the University of California in Berkley and the University of Pacifica. He is known worldwide for his work with Rotary International, especially as one of the pioneers of Rotary’s Polio Plus Program to eradicate polio worldwide. At OWU, he majored in politics and government and speech. He also served as president of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
Larry Eberst, former Battling Bishop assistant men’s basketball coach between 1980 and 1992. At Delaware City Schools, he was a teacher and coach until his untimely death in a 2009 plane crash. As coach of the Pacers varsity basketball team, he remains the winningest coach in Delaware history with 194 wins. During his time at Ohio Wesleyan, the Bishops won the NCAA Division III national championship in 1987-88.
Tony McCleery, who attended Ohio Wesleyan after transferring from the Great Lakes Naval Academy. At Delaware City Schools, he earned 12 varsity letters for football, baseball, track, and basketball. He also earned a state championship in shot put in 1945. He played football at Ohio Wesleyan and The Ohio State University.
Abigail Nims, OWU Class of 2001. Nims, a music major and summa cum laude graduate at Ohio Wesleyan, has established herself as a musician of integrity and versatility performing in opera, concert, and recital venues throughout the United States and abroad. Equally devoted to the education of aspiring musicians, she is as an assistant professor of voice at the University of Colorado.
Brent Carson, widely considered the leading historian for the City of Delaware and Delaware County. Carson spent 32 years teaching in Delaware City Schools and continues his work with students as a guest presenter and speaker. He also continues his journey to document history through his work the Delaware County Historical Society.
Joe DiGenova, recipient of Delaware City Schools’ Friend of the District Award. He was honored for his work to further educational interests in the Delaware. He has been active in nearly every aspect of the schools volunteering with athletic boosters, helping to establish the Youth in Government Program, and serving on the district’s facility committee and five levy committees.
Of the honorees, Delaware City Schools Superintendent Paul Craft says: “We are proud to call these honorees alumni and friends of Delaware City Schools. It is so important to showcase individuals who have graduated from Delaware City Schools and went on to make a difference in the communities in which they live. We thank these individuals for setting a good example and pointing our current students toward excellence.”
Learn more on the Delaware City Schools website at www.dcs.k12.oh.us under the “Our District” tab.