CHARLOTTESVILLE — Officials with Eastern Hancock schools say they will welcome their second class to the Eastern Hancock Distinguished Alumni Wall of Fame this weekend. A celebration for the newest members will begin 2 p.m. Sunday. The event will be in the Thrive Center at the Community Foundation of Hancock County, 971 West U.S. 40, Greenfield.
The celebration will provide an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the achievements of the following Wall of Fame inductees:
Phil Morris
Charlottesville Class of 1963
Phil was an outstanding Charlottesville High School athlete who earned All-Conference distinction in baseball, basketball, cross country and track before becoming an Industrial Arts Teacher at Morristown High School from 1973-1994.
Dr. Susan Thurston Kern
Charlottesville Class of 1964
Susan graduated from Purdue University and was a 1974 Ph.D. graduate as well as a Purdue Alumni Distinguished Service Award winner. She was an Illinois State University Vice President and a faculty member for 31 years. She helped raise $97,000,000 in a first-ever campaign for ISU.
Roy Wilson
Eastern Hancock Class of 1969
Roy, like Susan, also went to Purdue University, where he was the Student Body President from 1971-73 and was the only two-term Student Body President in Purdue History. He went into business in 1974 and is still active as a Real Estate Broker, Owner and Agent. He was a Hancock Regional Hospital Trustee from 1984-2024.
Mary Gibble
Eastern Hancock Class of 1980
Mary has been President and CEO of Community Foundation of Hancock County since 2006, during which time charitable assets grew from $11 million to $60 million. She’s helped grant over $21 million to charitable causes and inspired the Thrive Center and the foundation’s move to its new headquarters in 2023. A champion of education and youth, Mary launched and endowed the Imagination Library of Hancock County.
Organizers have added student and staff recognition to this year’s ceremony. High school students and staff members had an opportunity a few months ago to nominate seniors who exemplify Character, Competitive Greatness and Leadership that Serves.
Each selected student then had the opportunity to recognize a staff member who has made a difference in each of their lives. A list of those who will be recognized include, Rose Rosales and Rob Stonerock; Luke Morris and Tracy Jadernak-Elsbury; Brandon Metz and Jim Hage; Griffin Lawrence and Lauri Johnson; Emma Dagley and Carrie Womack; Samantha Bolding and Terry Stephens; Sky Currence and Jenn Lightcap; and Brooklyn Willis and Derek Cullison.
The event is open to Eastern Hancock families who want to come and celebrate the people mentioned. Those planning on attending must RSVP with district officials by Wednesday.
