Liberty unveils Wall of Fame, announces inaugural class

On June 25, Liberty Central School welcomes a new class to the halls of the high school - the inaugural class of the Liberty Wall of Fame.

The Wall was created and developed by the Board of Education as a way to honor Liberty alumni, past employees and community members who have made a lasting and outstanding contribution to Liberty Central School and to the Liberty community.

Altogether, 16 nominations for the Wall of Fame were submitted on behalf of potential candidates. This year’s class of seven inductees was selected by the 2011 Wall of Fame Committee, a group that included community members, alumni, faculty, district administration and Board of Education members. After an extensive review process, the committee narrowed the field of inaugural inductees to seven individuals.

The inductees will be honored at a breakfast reception on graduation day and will also be recognized at the graduation ceremony. The Wall of Fame is located in the lobby of the David E. Panebaker Auditorium at Liberty High School, and plaques honoring the inductees will be mounted there. Additional information about the honorees and the Wall of Fame will be available on the Liberty Web site, www.libertyk12.org.

2011 Liberty Central School District Wall of Fame Inductees (inaugural class)

Dr. Irvin Borish (alumnus, class of 1930): Known as the “Father of Optometry,” and “The Optometrist’s Architect,” Dr. Borish is a world-renowned professor, lecturer and pioneer in the field of optometry. He helped to establish the Indiana University School of Optometry, and holds three patents for contact lenses.

James Burke (past faculty): Mr. Burke served the Liberty School District for 32 years, and was a well-respected member of the faculty and administration. Mr. Burke established the Academic Block-L dinner and awards ceremony and devoted his life to academic excellence and the welfare of Liberty students.

Alan Gerry (community member): A pioneering entrepreneur in the cable television industry, Mr. Gerry is a respected and generous supporter of the community, school district and county. He is the developer of the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, located at the original 1969 Woodstock Concert site.

Howard K. Schue (alumnus, class of 1959): Mr. Schue has worked for more than 50 years in military, aerospace and intelligence activities, serving in military, government and industry organizations. He has served on numerous Congressional panels and commissions as an expert in the field of national reconnaissance and satellite development.

Sister Patricia Ann Startup (alumna, class of 1965): A member of the Maryknoll Sisters (a Catholic sisterhood devoted to service overseas), Sister Startup served in the Philippines, documenting and raising awareness for human rights violations. She also served in Zimbabwe, where she worked with thousands of displaced persons fleeing wars, drought and poverty in eight South African countries.

Lawrence Stier (alumnus, class of 1945): A life-long resident of Liberty, Attorney Lawrence Stier served as Assistant County Attorney, Liberty Town Attorney, Liberty councilman and judge for both the town and village of Liberty. Mr. Stier was instrumental in the construction of Ahavath Israel Synagogue in Liberty and Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris, NY.

Charles “Woody” Witherwax (past faculty): Athletic director, teacher and coach from 1951-1976, Mr. Witherwax was a well loved and well respected faculty member who was influential in the development of the sports and athletics programs at Liberty.

Nominations will be accepted for the 2012 class beginning later this summer, and will be accepted and considered on a yearly basis. For more information about the Wall of Fame, or to learn how to nominate an individual for next year’s class, please contact Allison Ruef at aruef@libertyk12.org or 845-292-5400 ext. 2055.