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2004 – 2005 Hall of Fame Committee:

Danute Bankaitis-Davis 1976
Kathy Gould Dawson 1975
Dr. David Kircher 1969-1999
Charles Kullik 1973 - 2001
Dr. Laura Lengel 1982
Chief Judge Paul Matia 1955
Dr. Mark McDonough 1978
Michael Pochatek 1976
Richard Pocker 1973
Nelson Russ 1936 –1972
Elaine Schulte 1979
David Zeih 1972 –2000
Previous Inductees

Kathy Gould Dawson 1975 (back to top)
Author and Speaker: Marriage and Relationships

Founder of “The Marriage Movement” in Cleveland, Ohio. Speaker and workshop leader in “Marriage Relationships”. Has appeared on numerous television programming. (Channel 5’s Morning Exchange, CNBC’s Real Personal, The Today Show, and the Lee Kirk Show). Has been a weekly columnist for the Plain Dealer, writing a column “Side by Side”. Became a faculty member of the special studies programming at the Chautauqua Institution in New York State. Guest lecturer at Case Western Reserve University as a part of the Family/Marriage Curriculum. Publisher of books dealing with marriage and relationships. Has taught over one hundred marriage/relationship workshops and spoken to more than 50 civic organizations, church groups, and businesses.

Dr. David Kircher 1969-1999 (back to top)
Teacher and School Administrator

Taught high school science for Fairview Park Schools. In 1973 became Assistant Middle School Principal. Assumed the task of Middle School Principal at Mayer Junior High School 1980. Was Assistant Superintendent from 1988-1996. Became Superintendent for the Fairview Park Schools in 1996 and served until 1999. Has been an educational consultant from 1999 to the present time. Is a member of the Ohio State University Educational Alumni Board, the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, the American Association of School Administrators, and the Greater Cleveland School Superintendent’s Association. Has served on the Board of Directors for ARTS ETC. Spearheaded development projects for the Fairview Park Schools Educational Foundation. Was awarded Administrator of the Year Award.

Charles Kullik 1973-2001 (back to top)
Guidance Counselor and School Administrator

Principal of Fairview High School. Principal of Lewis F. Mayer Junior High School. Director of Guidance Department for Fairview High School. School Administrator for the We Do Care Program. Developed extra-curricular drug and alcohol policies for Fairview Park Schools. Appointed to the Recreation Commission of Fairview Park. Served on United Way Campaigns. Served as Public Relations Chair for the Ohio School. Counselor Association and served on the Executive Committee. Awarded the Charles E. Weaver Lifetime Service Award. Fairview Park Citizen of the Year Award 1990. Member Fairview Park City Schools Board of Education.

Dr. Laura Lengel 1982 (back to top)
Bowling Green State University

A Fullbright Scholar and American Institute of Maghreg Studies Fellow in Tunisia 1993-1994. An international and intercultural communications researcher and lecturer in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and the United States. Was an Associate Professor at the Richmond American International University in London, England. Has presented numerous papers on Women in the Global Community; has published numerous books dealing with intercultural relationships and the impact of informational technology. Has been awarded numerous grants, among them a grant to internationalize higher education in southeastern Europe. Developed educational initiatives to promote peace and ease ethnic tensions in Southeastern Europe, focusing on former Yugoslavia.

Chief Judge Paul Matia 1955 (back to top)

Graduated from Case Western Reserve in 1959 (cum laude) and earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1962. Admission to the Ohio Bar was conferred in 1962. Was Assistant Ohio Attorney General from 1966-1970. Was a member of the Ohio State Senate 1971-1975 and 1979-1983. Practiced law for the firm of Hadley, Matia and Mills Co. 1975-1984 as a full partner. Served as Judge for the Court of Common Pleas of Cuyahoga County. Was nominated for appointment to the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio by President George Bush in June of 1991. The Senate confirmed his appointment in November of 1991and he was sworn in on December 20, 1991. A notable court case had Judge Matia ruling that an accused Nazi guard living in the Cleveland area was to be stripped of his U.S. citizenship.

Mark McDonough, M.D. 1978 (back to top)
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Specializing in Burn Trauma

Served as staff physical therapist with burn, surgical and orthopedic rehabilitation services, Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando, FL 1985-1986. Did private practice providing orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation. Received research fellowship in microvascular surgery and surgical pathology at C.W.R.U. hospital residency. Trained in U.S.F. College of Medicine, Affiliated Hospitals, Tampa, Florida 1995-1998. Became Chief Resident Plastic Surgeon at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 2000-2004. Currently in private practice of reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery, specializing in burn trauma, adult and pediatric restoration. Has been awarded numerous Medical School Awards both graduate and undergraduate.

Michael Pochatek 1976 (back to top)
Baseball and Football

Received the Top Baseball Pitcher Award for Fairview Baseball in 1975 and 1976. MVP Fairview Baseball 1976. Achieved honors as All SWC All Star Team, East-West All Star Best Pitcher Award, Plain Dealer Dream Team, and Plain Dealer All Scholastic Baseball Team. Holds school records for: Best Earned Run Average, Most SWC Wins, Most Wins in a Single Season, Most Wins in Three Seasons, and Most Innings Pitched. Is in the top ten categories for: Strike Outs, Walks, Hits, and Runs. Was a Junior Varsity Football coach in 1980 and Varsity Assistant coach in 1981. Was invited to a workout with the Cincinnati Reds Professional Baseball Team in 1976.

Richard Pocker 1973 (back to top)
Lawyer and Federal Prosecutor

Served in U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Assistant U.S. Attorney and Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney 1985-1989. Managed staff of Federal Prosecutors for the District of Nevada 1989-1990. Partner for firm of Dickerson, Dickerson, Consul and Pocker 1991-Present. Served as Chief Counsel to Select Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives investigating issues of international law, national security, and intelligence. Served on Oversight Committees for CIA, Defense Intelligence Agency, and FBI intelligence activities. Has successfully prosecuted anti-government, anti-Semitic, and fraudulent telemarketing cases. Received the Director’s Special Commendation Award, and the Chief Postal Inspector’s Special Award for Excellence of Performance in the Administration of Justice.

Nelson Russ 1936-1972 (back to top)
Health and Physical Education Teacher and Athletic Coach

All Ohio Honorable Mention Football for College of Wooster. Coached football, basketball, track and field, tennis, and bowling at Fairview High School. Taught Health and Physical Education at FHS. Became the first Director of the Fairview Park Recreation Department. Was Director of the Fairview Park Athletic Club, President of the Fairview Park Boosters’ Club, President of the Fairview Park Retired Teacher’s Association, and President of the Fairview Park Kiwanis Club. Was awarded the Cuyahoga County Coaches Association Golden Deeds Award, and the Rocky River Athletic Club Good Neighbor Award. Named Citizen of the Year by the Fairview Park Community Council 1959. Named Republican of the Year by Fairview Park Republican Club 1983. Nelson Russ Park dedicated in his honor 1992.

Elaine Schulte 1979 (back to top)
Pediatric Medicine

Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Albany Medical College. Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, School of Public Health. Instructor Department of Pediatrics. Medical Director Lead Poisoning Prevention Resource Center. Associate Director Pediatric Residency Program. Director Pediatric Residency Program, Albany Medical College. Founder and Director of International Adoption Program. Division Chief, General Pediatrics, Albany Medical College. Was selected participant for the Association of American Medical Colleges. Professional Development Seminar for Senior Women in Academics. Received National Faculty Development Scholar Award. Developed Ambulatory Pediatric Association Faculty Development Program.

David Zeih 1972-2000 (back to top)
History Teacher and Athletic Coach

Taught Advance Placement United States History. Was member of FPEA Executive Council for 12 years. Pioneered Political Debate Assemblies; High School Voter Registrar; Created Advanced Placement United States History; High School Selective Service Registrar. Coordinated Ohio University American History Contest. Received the League of Women Voters Recognition of Achievement Award 1983. Awarded the Fairview Park Kiwanis Advancement of Education Award 1984. Was nominated for the Cuyahoga County Bar Association Auxiliary National Law Teacher of the Year, 1990. Fairview Park Business Advisory Council Teacher Recognition Award: 1996,1997,1998, and 1999. Teacher of the Year Award 1990 and 2000. Metro-West Kiwanis Outstanding Educator Award 2000. Coached Track & Field.

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Fairview Park City Schools