A total of eight individuals were inducted into the Frankfort Hot Dog Alumni Hall of Fame Saturday afternoon at Frankfort High School. This was the third class to be inducted into the group that now totals 34 individuals.
Everyone inducted talked about how much the school and the community was essential in their early years which helped them become what they are now and in the future.
“This (the Hall of Fame) is not limited to athletes. It’s everybody all across the board and anybody that’s gone on from Frankfort High School and done something else,” said inductee Jonelle Smith. “I’m just impressed. I was so impressed with every person in this class as well as the first two classes as well.”
Alex Rogers, who was representing his father and inductee James Rogers, said “What he (his father) was proud of the most was being from Frankfort. He loved the community and he was very proud of the school and the community.”
Perry Lewis, who is now the youngest member of the current Hall of Fame, echoed those thoughts.
“I have so much pride in this school,” said Lewis. “I remember growing up here and you just knew everyone, every corner and that’s why coming from Frankfort isn’t a limiting factor. It’s an essential part. Just look at this (the Hall of Fame) wall and you can recognize this.”
The following is a list of this year’s inductees and their accomplishments:
Steve Adams — alumni, Class of 1961, graduated with top academic honors from Frankfort High School. Steve received his Bachelor of Arts and Master’s
Degrees from Indiana University with an undergraduate degree in (Aristotelian) Philosophy and a Master’s degree in English. Steve taught in Lebanon Junior High School receiving an “Outstanding Young Educator of the Year” award from the Jaycees. Steve then began a long career as a pianist/composer of sacred music that saw his songs published in hymnals of a dozen major denominations and broadcast around the world by major Christian television networks in America, Canada, Africa, and Europe featured on Billy Graham’s “Hour of Decision” radio program. Steve’s music was recorded by scores of major artists from
Doug Oldham, Bill Gaither Trio, Mark Lowery, the Blackwood Brothers Quartet, the Speer Family, the Imperials, the Collingsworth Family, and New York City’s Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Steve has played before President Carter and President Reagan at the White House, in the U.S. Capitol, and Wolf Trap (the Outdoor Kennedy Center). His many choral musicals have taken him to more than 2,000 concert venues in all of America’s states, throughout Canada, and the Caribbean in which he has appeared with an equal number of choirs in live presentations of his published works. He is a Dove award nominee whose songs
were recently featured by the Nashville Pops Orchestra at Music City’s famed Ryman Auditorium.
John Coulter — alumni, Class of 1969, graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Radio, TV and Film in 1973. He began his business
career in television sports production with ABC Sports in New York City and later transitioned to sales with the ABC Television Network. In 1981, John was recruited into the radio industry and over the next 19 years lived and worked in Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, DC. At the time radio station AMFM
was the largest radio broadcast organization in the U.S., and Coulter was Executive VP and Director of Sales for the company which exceeded $2 billion in top line revenue in 1999. Starting in 2000, he began working as an independent advisor, project consultant and talent recruiter for client companies including America Online (AOL), Corus Entertainment (Canada) the Sporting News, Pandora.com and Sirius/XM Satellite Radio. In 2004, he helped introduce the first text message marketing programs to radio and TV broadcast groups across the country. During a four-year period, over 50,000 text message programs were launched and generated more than 500 million messages in the United States alone…..partnering with wireless carriers, entertainment and media enterprises,
concert tours, sports teams and leagues and a wide variety of consumer brands. In 2007 Coulter co-founded the Content Factory which was designed as an entertainment programming partnership connecting innovative content offerings with targeted audiences and Fortune 500 brands. Long time ESPN sportscaster and nationally renowned, Dan Patrick, joined TCF in 2007, and in October 2009 all assets of the company were acquired by DirecTV. Most recently, he has been advising early stage business operations that are committed to exploring new revenue growth and digital extension opportunities for the purpose of creating competitive advantages. Also known for having an exceptional gift for identifying, recruiting and developing talent, Coulter’s background with high performance teams continues to make him attractive to his clients, and his passion for evangelizing a vision or great story for new business offerings is well documented.
Phil DePoy — alumni, Class of 1953, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University, a Master of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering from M.I.T., and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University. In 1959 he joined the M.I.T. Operations Research Group which suppor ted the U.S. Navy and Marines in the Pentagon and with deployed forces. In addition to Washington duty, Phil was an advisor to the Commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet in the western Pacific during the wars in Laos and Vietnam and the Advisor to the Commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean during the Greek Coup and the Six-Day War. After the organization was absorbed in the Center for Naval Analyses, he served as Vice President for 10 years and as President for six years. Phil then moved to the University of Chicago where he was Director of the National Opinion Research Organization for eight years. He later served as the Director of the Center for Executive Education, Chair of Expeditionary Warfare, and Founding Director of the Wayne E. Meyer Systems Engineering Institute at the Naval War College in Monterey California. He returned to Washington where he served as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Homeland Security Science and Technology Advisory Committee for seven years. He is currently serving as a Senior Fellow at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physic Laboratory.
Perry Lewis — alumni, Class of 2002, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering focused in Astronautics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and a Masters of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Strategy Innovation and Business Analytics from the University of Illinois. He is also a graduate of the Culver Summer Naval School. Perry began his professional career with N.A.S.A. at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas as a Mission Control Flight Controller for the Space Shuttle where he was the lead mission designer for STS-119 and STS-132. He was also an International
Space Station (ISS) Astronaut Instructor and a Kinematic Analyst for the ISS Robotic System. As of 2020, Perry is the Director of Pilot Strategy for United Airlines.
Dr. David Moore — alumni, Class of 974, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Wabash College in 1978 with a Bachelor of A ts in Biology. He was a Presidential Scholar and received his medical degree from Indiana University where he also completed his OB/GYN residency training. Dr. Moore completed his gynecologic oncology fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was on faculty for five years. He returned to Indiana and was promoted to Mary Fendrich Hulman Professor of Gynecologic Oncology at Indiana University School of Medicine. He has published one hundred scientific manuscripts, and eighteen textbook chapters. He has served 12 years as a committee chair for the NCI-sponsored Gynecology Oncology Group. Dr. Moore’s honors include America’s top Doctors, Castle Connoly Guide 2001, 2004, 2007-2018, Best Doctor in America 2005-2018, Department of Ob/Gyn Junior Faculty Teaching Award at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill NC 1993, Munsick-Ragan Outstanding Ob/Gyn Faculty Teaching Award at Indiana University in 1996.
James Rogers — alumni, Class of 1952, graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Arts in Radio, TV. He served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for two years and discharged as a First Lieutenant. James worked for The Studio Press as a sales trainee and in 1960 joined Hook’s as public relations director. In 1966 he developed and created Hook’s Historical Drugstore & Pharmacy Museum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in 1966, which remains a favorite Indiana Landmark today. He created Hook’s All State Marching Band, which marched in eight consecutive 500 Festival Parades with Indiana’s best high school band musicians. He innovated many chain-wide programs for child safety, poison awareness and healthcare information for all ages. James co-founded the Indiana Poison Center, a statewide 24-hour emergency poison information hotline, now housed and sponsored by Methodist Hospital. In 1981, he co-founded Historic Indianapolis, Inc., an activist group that worked to deter demolition of the built environment. Historic Indianapolis Inc. saved and
redevelop the Indiana Theater, much of Lockefield Gardens, and the Wilking Building façade, now part of the Circle Centre Mall.
Jonelle Smith — alumni, Class of 1966, graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Political Science and American History. Jonelle received her Master in Elementary Education and her Sixth Year (Thirty Hours of graduate work beyond her Masters) from Ball State University. She taught sixth grade at Riley Elementary School in Frankfort for 18 years, before moving into the Frankfort Middle School where she taught sixth grade social studies for
an additional 17 years. Jonelle was instrumental in starting girls after-school sports programs for the fifth and sixth grades. In 1992, Jonelle was selected for the study and travel in China program at Ball State University. This qualified 15 additional CSF educators to study and travel in Asia. She served as Frankfort High School Girls Varsity Tennis Coach from 1979-2005 retiring with 342 wins and 122 losses. Her coaching record is the best win loss record in the history of Frankfort High School sports. As a coach, Jonelle won 15 Sagamore Conference titles, 12 Sectional titles, 6 Regional titles, and in 1999 lost in the Finals of the Semi-State – Round of Eight for the IHSAA State Tennis Title. In 1999, Jonelle was named both District and State Tennis Coach of the Year and coached the Senior All Star North team in 2000. She was inducted into the Indiana High School Tennis Hall of Fame in 2003. She has directed numerous recreational
leagues and tournaments including the Frankfort Summer Tennis program from 1982-2008, Frito Lay Jr. Open for 23 years, and League Director for the World Team Tennis Recreational Leagues. In 1992, Jonelle was named Outstanding League Director for World Team Recreational Tennis (one of two awarded in the United States). Jonelle has held several positions with the Central Indiana Tennis Association, USTA/Midwest Tennis Association and the United States Tennis Association including President of CITA and the Midwest Section. Jonelle has been presented with the highest awards given by the Central Indiana, the Midwest Section and the United States Tennis Associations. In 2018, because of her lifelong dedication to bringing tennis opportunities to all people of our community, the Frankfort High School tennis courts were named in her honor.
Katherine Howard — honoree, graduated from State Teachers College at Terre Haute in 1897. She completed graduate work at Chicago University and Columbia University. She began teaching in the Frankfort school system and taught third and fourth grades then eighth grade English. In 1904 Katherine was named instructor of freshmen and sophomore English at Frankfort High School. Twice she declined the honor of being the principal of Frankfort High School because she wanted to remain a teacher, but in 1918 because of the great demand by the public, she accepted the position of principal of Frankfort High School. In 1919 she was recognized as one of the finest executives in all of Indiana high schools. Under her leadership, Frankfort High School had excelled, expanded, and was given a high rating in scholarships and sportsmanship. Her influence was far-reaching and she contributed to the lives of many Frankfort students not only through education, but in building strong character as well. Howard Hall, a state of the art gymnasium, was named in her honor in 1922 to demonstrate the community’s admiration and respect for her unfaltering leadership.
The following is a list of the 11 individuals who were inducted into the second hall of Fame class:
Charles L. (Chuck) Aidman — alumni, Class of 1942, served in the United States Navy during World War II. Aidman was a film scenarist and television actor for four decades. He made his film debut in “Destination Space” (1959), followed by Pork Chop Hill (1959).
Dr. Frank Beardsley — alumni, Class of 1943, on his 30th birthday he started his medical practice and spent the next 36 years serving the residents of Frankfort and Clinton County. He was the founder of the Frankfort Medical Clinic. He is most passionate about keeping the memory of Everett Case alive.
Lt. Gen. Jay Kelley — alumni, Class of 1959, enlisted in the Air Force following graduation. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and was commissioned in June 1964. His Major Command assignments included Vice Commander of Space Command, and Commander of the Air University.
Dr. Patrick Kersey — alumni, Valedictorian of Class of 1986, he has served as Medical Director or St Vincent’s Sports Performance since 2009. He is very active in the world of Sports Medicine which includes being the Indianapolis Colts Team physician.
Cindy Ward Wine Martinez — alumni, Class of 1973, hosted radio and television programs spanning from Indiana to Arizona. In Phoenix, Arizona she was the host for one of the nation’s first female co-hosted radio programs.
Karen McClain Miller — alumni, Class of 1973, she was the first female President and CEO of the Farmers Bank. She served as President of Clinton County Partners in Progress, President of Chamber of Commerce, Served on Clinton County Community Foundation and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
Jim H. Miner — alumni, Class of 1937, was a lifelong resident of Frankfort. As a junior, he was a member of the 1936 IHSAA State Basketball Championship Team and selected 1st Team All-State. As a senior in 1937, he was the IHSAA State Pole Vault champion clearing 12ft.-10in. using a bamboo pole. Miner served his country in WWII. He received the Purple Heart and the Silver Star for gallantry in action and devotion to duty.
Rawlings “Rawl” Ransom — alumni, Class of 1938, he was among a group of businessmen who had the foresight to begin several economic development initiatives in Frankfort including The Frankfort Development Corporation. He helped develop the Clinton County Land Trust which procured land to be available for the area known today as the Industrial Park. He was also involved in procuring the land and developing the Frankfort Municipal Airport.
Richard “Butch” Ricker — alumni, Class of 1949, he was the IHSAA Track and Field State Champion in the 440 yard dash and he also anchored the 880-yard relay to a 2nd place finish. Ricker holds the school record for the 100-yard dash and the 880-yard relay. In 1961, he was hired as the Frankfort High School Athletic Director a position that he held for 30 years.
Ralph Vaughn, alumni, Class of 1936, he was a Consensus 1st team All-American. He led USC to their first NCAA Basketball Tournament in 1939. As a Hot Dog, Vaughn led the North Central Conference in scoring in both his junior and senior years. He was the top scorer for the 1936 IHSAA State basketball champion team. He was selected to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1976.
John Milholland, honoree, he was hired as the Frankfort High School basketball coach, spending 18 seasons on the bench before retiring in 1985 with a career record of 286-133. During his tenure, he additionally won 8 sectionals, 2 regionals and 5 Sagamore Conference championships. Milholland is the second all-time winningest coach at Frankfort High School behind Everett Case. The gym floor was named in his honor 2008.
Those 11 individuals join the following members from the first class who were inducted in 2018:
Everett Norris Case — honoree, basketball coach for 17 season, won four state championships.