Lancaster High School's Distinguished Hall of Fame
The LHS Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame, which currently includes 85 inductees, was created in 1992 and the most recent honorees were inducted in 2025. Among other accolades and professions, the inductees include two CEO’s of major American corporations, four outstanding and nationally recognized physicians, a former Congressman, a nationally recognized physicist in the field of plasma physics, and the designer of the current American flag.
It is the purpose of the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame to recognize such individuals who have, through their performance, conduct and achievement brought credit and honor to themselves and Lancaster High School. Their public example will hopefully serve to inspire future graduates to perform and serve in the same spirit.
If you wish to nominate a LHS alumni to the Hall of Fame, Click here.
Lancaster High School Class of 1959 is well represented in the Distinguished Hall of Fame. To read more about this outstanding class, please follow this link to the website
Lancaster High School Class of 1959
Lafayette "Hack" Abbott, Class of 1914
First college football All-American
from Lancaster High School
Played football at Syracuse University
Christa Elaine Adams, Class of 1959
Outstanding educator and President of
St. Clair Community College
Jeff A. Ankrom Ph.D., Class of 1974
National and international recognition for
writings and teachings
in the field of Public Sector Economics
Robert "Bob" Arledge, Class of 1951
Colonel, Retired
Chief of Physical Therapy and
Associate Chief of the Biomedical Science Corp of the USAF following 31 years of Service
Don E. Bainter, Class of 1945
Superintendent of the
Lancaster City Parks and Recreation Department
Instrumental in the creation of
Olivedale Senior Center
Mark Baltz, Class of 1966
50 years of Sports Officiating
(including NFL, MAC, and Big 10)
Allison Jay Batchelor, M.D., Class of 1977
Director of Geriatric Training,
Family Practice Residency at
The Medical Center in Beaver, Pennsylvania
John C. Behrens, Class of 1951
A professor of Journalism at
Utica College of Syracuse University
Author of six books and more than four thousand articles
Charles Bensonhaver, M.D. Class of 1957
Physician/Psychiatrist
Bolinger (Bahnsen), Allison, Class of 1999
NASA Flight Director
Karen Stuck Borda, M.D., Class of 1969
Recognized authority and researcher in the
field of diagnostic radiology
Lewis J. Boyer, Class of 1943
"Service above self" exemplifies the life of "Lew" Boyer.
His devotion to provide opportunities for youth and the disabled
were met by his extensive public service
Richard Bradford, Class of 1957
Internationally known Business Executive
Lester Burcham, Class of 1931
Former CEO and Chairman of
the Board of the F. W. Woolworth Co.
Mary Kerns Burnham, Class of 1920
Recognized for dedication to teaching and
being an outstanding role model for thousands
of teens as being the Director of the Lancaster YWCA for 31 years
Michael D. Campbell, Class of 1959
Internationally recognized expert in the field of hydrogeology,
Serving in numerous capacities in relation
to environmental and geotechnical programs
Rob Carpenter, Class of 1973
All-Ohio football player, former running back
with the Houston Oilers,
New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams
Judge Joseph T. Clark, Class of 1959
Outstanding achievement in the fields of law and public
service as an exemplary judge
Kenneth M. Clemens, D.D.S., Class of 1945
Recognized for outstanding contributions to
the fields of dentistry and
Ohio Regional Campus higher education
R. Brian Cline, Class of 1978
Recognized in the field of engineering
Chief engineer of Raytheon Missile Systems
Served as chief engineer for Paveway(TM) Laser Guided Bomb Program
Holds four patents
Ed Clum, Class of 1949
Recognized in the field of public service
to the community of Lancaster as the founder and director
of Foundation Dinners and Shelters
Dorothy Kirn Coen, Class of 1934
Distinguished educator and advocate for children
Served for sixteen years on the
Lancaster Board of Education
George W. Coen, Class of 1932
Distinguished jurist and civic leader
Gene Cole, Class of 1948
Track silver medalist in the 1952 Olympic Games
at Helsinki, Finland
David R. Contosta, Ph.D., Class of 1963
Professor and Chair of the History Department
at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, PA
James E. Daubenmire, Class of 1944
Recognized for outstanding contributions
to the field of public education
Robert D. Dickey, Class of 1944
Outstanding contributions to the fields
of education, athletics
and water pollution control devices
Melissa Dittmar–Douglas, Ph.D., Class of 1981
Recognized for contributions to the field of physics as well as her
leadership for women in the sciences
Received the 1999 Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Early Achievement Award
Steve Ehrler, Class of 1972
United States Navy Submarine Officer
Served 25 years in the Department of Navy – large acquisition programs –
from submarine fire control systems to communications satellites and cryptologic systems
Technical Director for the Navy-Marine Corp Intranet
Charles W. "Chuck" Ellinger, Class of 1952
Professor and Chairman of Prosthodontics at UK Dental School
Captain in he US Army Dental Corps at Fort Hood Texas
Richard "Dick" England, Class of 1950
Recognized as an outstanding athlete and coach.
Three athletic hall of fame inductions.
Served as athletic director for 19 years at LHS
Rebecca A. Fannin, Class of 1973
Distinguished journalist in the world of international news
Editor-in-Chief of the Pulitzer family-owned
International Business magazine
Jodi L. Fausnaugh-Politt, Ph.D., Class of 1978
Exemplified service to mankind through
pharmaceutical research and development
Alan H. Geiger, Class of 1956
Recognized for leaving an indelible mark and
guided Ohio University’s physical, financial and academic future
William "Bill" Glassford, Class of 1932
Football All-American at the University of Pittsburgh
Former head football coach at the University of Nebraska
Charles Goslin, Class of 1923
Noted local author, naturalist and historian
Thomas A. Gossel, Ph.D., Class of 1959
Distinguished educator and leader in
the field of pharmaceutical education Ohio Northern University
G. Thomas Graf, Class of 1956
Internationally recognized leader in securing human rights, education and
opportunities for the disabled
Paul "David" Graf, Class of 1968
American actor, best known for his role as Sgt. Eugene Tackleberry in the
Police Academy series of films
William J. "Bill" Grein, Class of 1966 (Major)
Vice President of Marketing and Development for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
Recipient of the Development of Navy Superior Public Service Award
Alex W. “Pete” Hart, Class of 1958
President and CEO of MasterCard International
William H. Hauenstein, Rear Admiral, Ret., Class of 1954
The United States Navy’s
first Director of Acquisition Career Management
Robert G. Heft, Class of 1960
Created the design for the 50 star American Flag
