FHS Wall of Honor Adds Three Names for 20th Anniversary

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FAIRFIELD – The Fairfield High School Wall of Honor added three names to its prestigious list during a ceremony on Friday, Oct. 18.

Susan Bates Kessel (Class of 1971), Brad J. Rose (Class of 1984) and Paul D. Wohlers (Class of 1970) were inducted into the FHS Wall of Honor that morning in a ceremony attended by the entire high school. This year’s induction ceremony marked the 20th anniversary of the founding of the FHS Wall of Honor, which is a series of plaques on the wall of the FHS Commons.

The three honorees were introduced by friends or colleagues who read about their achievements, while a projector in the hall showed photographs from their lives. Joni Parker introduced Kessel, whom she called a “visionary” for the leading role she played in creating the Fairfield Arts and Conference Center with her friend Sally Johnston. Kessel said building the arts center was a roller coaster ride of emotions that lasted 11 years from the idea’s inception until the building opened to the public in 2007.

Kessel talked about how she was inspired to focus on art by her high school art teacher, Bob Glock. Kessel talked about how she married her husband, Pat, the summer before her senior year of high school and the birth of their first child in February of her senior year. She said hard work and determination shaped the couple’s young life together. Kessel has always wanted to prove that she can make a difference, and she has done so by exhibiting her work across the country, serving as volunteer president of the Fairfield Arts Association and manager of the Fairfield Public Access Channel for 12 years, to name a few. praise.

Ron Hunerdoss introduced Rose, a good friend from their days together at FHS. The two became colleagues when Rose became a physical education instructor at Fairfield and later became the Trojans’ athletic director.

When Rose took the microphone, he said the recognition of being named to the FHS Wall of Honor was the biggest thing of his career, even bigger than the back-to-back state baseball titles he won in 1996-97 while coaching at Ottumwa.

Before the ceremony, Rose told The Union that Fairfield’s athletic programs were really taking off when he was a boy in the 1970s. He noted that one FHS graduate who preceded him by two years was Milt Jackson, an All-American football player who went on to play for Notre Dame. He said the athletes in the class before him were great role models and encouraged the seniors in attendance to remember that Trojan pride is about setting an example for younger students.

Rose said FHS consultant Art Hutton suggested he go into public relations. Rose didn’t know what it was at the time, but she ended up in a very similar role as athletic director. In 2016, Rose was named State Athletic Director of the Year.

Jean Hartman introduced Wohlers, a “distinguished graduate” of the United States Naval Academy, the equivalent of a wall of honor recognition. Hartman noted that Wohlers is fluent in four languages due to his work in international diplomacy, including serving as U.S. ambassador to Macedonia from 2011-2015 and overseeing U.S. bilateral relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.

Wohlers said he was proud of his small-town roots and noted that leaders such as Gen. Chester Nimitz and U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan came from small towns. He said he was fortunate to have great teachers and coaches during his time in Fairfield schools. He mentioned a few by name, such as his college prep English teacher Mrs. Pettit and sophomore English teacher and Quill advisor Diane Marker.

“They taught me so much about grammar and English that it really helped me in my career,” Wohlers said. “Being able to write well is very important, and they drilled that into me. They inspired me to read and write.”

Wohlers said he also drew inspiration from his high school track coach, Coach Crew.

“When I’m faced with a big challenge, I tell myself, ‘It’s like running 2 miles,’” he said. “You’re exhausted, but if you gut it, you can do more than you think. Coach Crew taught me that.”