The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
2019 Wall of Distinction nominees
ONEIDA, N.Y. >> The Oneida City School District Foundation has named the following individuals who will be inducted on Sept. 28 to the 2019 Wall of Distinction:
• Dr. James L. Bramley, OHS 1969
• Susan A. Brewer, Ph.D., OHS 1976
• Jack Campbell, OHS 1972
• Maureen Conroy, OHS 1968
• Judith M. DeNova, OHS 1970
• Michael J. Egan, OHS 1962
• Paul E. Froass, OHS 1915 (posthumously)
• Robert H. Fearon, Jr., (posthumously)
• Frank Przybycien, OHS 1962
• Frederick Volp, Ph. D., OCSD Superintendent, retired
• Alan F. Williams, Ph. D.,
OHS 1957
Inductee Dr. James L. Bramley, OHS 1969, will be recognized for his lifetime achievements in the medical field. In 1990 he co-founded the St. Elizabeth Hospital HIV Clinic and served as Medical Director until 2016. Bramley continues to work as an infectious disease consultant in private practice in Utica, N.Y.
Susan A. Brewer, Ph.D, OHS 1976, has earned the designation of Professor Emer i t us ( Histor y) from the University of Wisconsin. A distinguished presenter, lecturer, and author, Brewer has made the promotion of social/political awareness through the humanities a career priority. Her current project is entitled, “The Best Land: A History of Oneida Indian Land in Central New York.”
Jack Campbell, OHS 1972, recently retired as the Executive Director of the Mad i s on Cor t l and Arc. Campbell began his career with the Arc in 1977 and his responsibilities continued to evolve and increase in subsequent years. His leadership has benefited our local communities and has also been instrumental in creating positive change at the state and federal levels for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
Maureen Conroy, OHS 1968, credits her high school ma th teacher, Mr. Larry Willey, for the skills she found useful in her data analyst position at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and NASA research programs. She eventually was a senior software designer for the Chandra orbiting X-ray telescope, NASA’s most powerful and sophisticated X-ray telescope, launched in 1999.
Judith M. DeNova, OHS 1970, recently retired after a 42 -year career in public education. DeNova has been a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent in Vermont public schools. She is an award- winning author and conference presenter who continues to advocate for excellence in public education practices.
Michael J. Egan, OHS 1962, also chose education as his career path. He was a Social Studies instructor and coach for North Syracuse Central School District in the late 1960’s, and retired in 2005 as Superintendent of the Fulton City School District. His professional excellence was recognized at the state level where he served several terms on the NYS Association of Small City School Districts Board of Directors, the Superintendent’s Development Program, and on the Superintendents’ Committee of the NYS Section 111 Athletics Association.
Paul E. Froass, OHS 1915, will be posthumously awarded his plaque on the Wall of Distinction for his meritorious service to our country in both World War I (as a U.S. Navy ensign and pilot) and WW 2 (as a captain of the National Guard, Company G, Infantry, 3rd Regiment), as well as his dedication as a local businessman and respected community leader of Oneida.
Robert H. Fearon, Jr. will also be honored posthumously for his extensive professional and community service. Fearon served in the US Marine Corps during WWII, and also the US Air Force, flying extensively as a USAF pilot in Japan and Korea during the Korean War. He joined the Oneida Valley National Bank in 1956 and retired as Chairman, President, and CEO in 1992.
Frank Przybycien, OHS 1962, is recognized as Administrator/ Professor Emeritus at Mohawk Com munity College, having taught civil engineering there from 1967- 2012. He has been honored for his work on historic preservation and neighborhood revitalization in Utica and the surrounding central N.Y. area. Przybycien serves on the Board of Trustees of the Genesis Group, a civic organization uniting business and community leaders working to advance regional, economic, social and cultural interests in the Mohawk Valley.
Frederick “Rick” Volp, Ed.D, served as the Principal for the Rome School for the Deaf prior to being named Assistant Super inten dent, and a few years later, Superintendent of the Oneida City School District. His tenure as Superintendent was from 1987 – 2000, during which time his leadership facilitated major improvements in OCSD facilities and K – 12 student programming.
Allan F. Williams, Ph.D, OHS 1957,retired in 2004 as Chief Scientist of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Arlington, VA. He continues to consult and is recognized as a world leader in highway safety and has lectured about and published many professional journal articles on the subject. Williams’ research in the 1970’s resulted in the adoption of vehicular child restraint laws in every state, and the “Click it or Ticket” programin the U.S., among many other noteworthy accomplishments.
Reservations for the Wall of Distinction Induction and Alumni Dinner are $30 and may be made by contacting Lori Cimpi at 315-361-6072. All reservations must be made by September 23, 2019. Proceeds from the dinner help support the annual classroom grants and student scholarships awarded by the OCSD Foundation each May. Those unable to attend the event may send donations to Lori Cimpi, 1136 Freedom Drive, Oneida, N.Y. 13421.