The Brocton Central School Hall of Fame inducted six new members during ceremonies held during Homecoming Weekend.
The purpose of the Brocton Central School Hall of Fame is to honor graduates from Brocton Central School, living or deceased, who have distinguished themselves in a specific field of endeavor, in civic affairs, in humanitarian affairs or in activities which merit special recognition. It is the hope of the Hall of Fame Committee that future graduates of BCS will see in these inductees, people worthy of emulation.
The Hall of Fame contributes toward the development of a positive school environment and celebrates the achievements of Brocton Central School graduates.
The Hall of Fame Committee is composed of school administrators, staff and community residents.
As part of the educational celebration aspect of the Hall of Fame, the inductees were introduced to the student body at a morning assembly on October 7th, spent a day visiting and speaking with classes, attended the Homecoming Pep Rally, rode in the Parade and attended the Homecoming Game to be introduced to the school community.
Dr. Chester J. Burton, Class of 1962,
Business and Computer Technologies Education
Dr. Chester James Burton has spent his life learning and teaching others. The 1962 Brocton Central School Graduate earned a bachelors of science degree in 1966 from Gannon University. His degree work was in general science with concentrations in mathematics, science and education. These concentrations, along with family and public service, have been his life’s work.
After graduation from Gannon University, he accepted a position as a professor of computer technologies at SUNY Cobleskill.
In 1971, he received a master’s degree in computer science from the State University of New York at Albany. In 1989, Dr. Burton earned his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction in Higher Learning from SUNY Albany.
For the past 39 years, Dr. Burton has served in many capacities at the university, including: Professor of Computer Technologies, Chairperson of Computer Technologies Department, Acting Dean of Business and Dean of Business and Computer Technology.
Throughout his long and distinguished career, he has helped thousands of students achieve their educational goals, improve educational offerings and advance technology at the university, community and region levels.
Dr. Burton’s teaching responsibilities have included: Microcomputer Applications, Introduction to Computer Science, FORTRAN Programming, RPG Programming, Advanced COBOL, Data Base Concepts, Systems Programming, System Analysis, Quantitative Approaches to Management, Fundamentals of Operational Research, Seminar on Current Topics, Data Communications and Networking, Organizational and End-User Information Systems and Seminar on Emerging Technologies.
Throughout his tenure at Cobleskill, Dr. Burton utilized his time and talents to serve the school community by serving on various search committees, developing programs, serving on committees, serving as an admission’ s representative, faculty advisor to students, assistant at college track and cross country events and has served as a consultant to the New York State Education Department on a variety of topics and projects.
Dr. Burton has been instrumental in creating and implementing several programs and initiatives at the university and state level, including: Project Director of the East Central European Scholarship Program, establishing an entrepreneurship emphasis for college-wide programs, SUNY Small Business Development Outreach Center at SUNY Cobleskill, establishing a workforce training facility at the college, College in High School, degree program sequences in International Business Law, Office Management and Personal Financial Planning, development of bachelor of Technology Agriculture Business program sequences in Financial Management, Information Technology Management and Marketing and Management, developing degree programs for Microcomputer Support Specialist and Telecommunications Management, and Computer Science.
Dr. Burton has presented numerous papers and conferences in his areas of expertise and belongs to several professional associations and organizations.
Dr. Burton has also contributed to his community by serving on several boards and committees including: the village of Cobleskill Business Retention Advisory Board, New York Institute of Entrepreneurship Educational Direction Committee, Board of Directors of the Schoharie County Industrial Development Agency, New York State Local Side Telephone Advisory Committee, chairperson on the steering committee for the Leatherstocking Telecommunications Consortium, Schoharie County Council of Senior Citizen’s, Schoharie County Area Development Agency, Schoharie County Public Educational and Government Access Channel and the Schoharie County Business and Education Advisory Council.
Dr. Burton is also a member of the Iroquois Museum, the Schoharie County Historical Society, the Schoharie County Colonial Heritage Association and the Schoharie County Council of the Arts.
Dr. Burton has also dedicated his time to provide free computer consulting to businesses in and out of the area.
Dr. Burton and his wife, Nancy, reside in Cobleskill. Their son, Chester, and his wife, Joyce, both doctors, reside in Cobleskill with their two children.
Dr. Burton is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for excellence in Business and Computer Technologies Education. He was nominated for induction by his brother, Charles Burton of Brocton.
Dr. Seigfred Fagerberg, Class of 1961,
Excellence in Health Education
Seigfred Fagerberg was a member of the Brocton Central School Class of 1961. After graduation, he enrolled at Union University with a double major of biology and health and physical education. After receiving his bachelor’s degree he enrolled in Memphis State University and earned a masters of education, majoring in educational administration, with a minor in health and physical education. In 1970 he earned a doctorate in education from the University of Southern Mississippi, after completing majors in health education, physical education and recreation, with a minor in educational statistics.
Dr. Fagerberg has also done post doctoral study at the University of Southern Mississippi and the University of Florida.
Dr. Fagerberg’s teaching career began in the public schools in Mississippi and Tennessee in 1966. In 1970 he became an assistant professor of health and physical education at the University of Southern Mississippi. During his tenure at the University, he would serve several capacities, including: intern supervisor, and associate professor of health science education.
In 1971, Dr. Fagerberg moved to the University of Florida to become a professor of health science education where he would serve for more than 35 years. He is a past chairman and professor of health education for the university that has more than 50,000 students and is the third largest university in the United States.
Throughout his teaching and administrative career, Dr. Fagerberg has helped thousands of students achieve their educational goals. His expertise has been shared in more than 15 books that he has authored or co-authored and more than 30 articles that have been published in journals and has received requests for articles and permission to reprint articles from 360 countries.
He has also been published in numerous bulletins, reports and newsletters and has reviewed textbooks for publishers since 1979.
Dr. Fagerberg is the chairman of the board and president of Caduceus International Publishing, Inc. (founded in 2000). This company develops and publishes academic E-textbooks for university and college courses internationally.
Dr. Fagerberg has professional affiliations with more than 15 organizations and has served on numerous university and academic committees.
Throughout his career he has held many professional leadership positions in 35 organizations or committees and served as a school resource person in comprehensive health education in more 25 public school systems.
Dr. Fagerberg also has created creative professional educational programs, performing guitar parodies in health and physical education slide and music presentations, creating lyrics for: drug abuse, alcohol, obesity, pollution, venereal disease, pollution and population control.
He was named Teacher of the Year- School of Health and Physical Education- 1970-1971 at the University of Southern Mississippi; Teacher of the Year-Health Education-Department of Professional Curriculum College of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Florida and 1990-1991 Teacher of the Year, University of Florida.
Dr. Fagerberg is very active in several civic philanthropic groups, including: Shriners Noble of North America Shrine, Quetzalcoatl Shriner Honor Society, York Rite Bodies International, Scottish Rite International, Grotto of North America, National Sojourners of North America and serves as vice president of the Board of Directors for the Cresent Foundation. He is also active in District 14 Masonic Lodges.
Dr. Fagerberg is a member of Eta Sigma Gamma (Health Science Education) and Phi Delta Kappa (Education) honor societies.
Dr. Fagerberg is a resident of Gainesville, Florida and has four children. His uncle, Arden Johnson, nominated him for the Hall of Fame.
Marlene Krauth; Class of 1985,
Packaging Engineer
Marlene Krauth is a resident of Rogers, Arkansas and a member of the Brocton Central School Class of 1985. During high school she excelled in math and science, and had exceptionally high SAT scores. As an active high school athlete her team captured the championship for girls softball. She was also on the swimming and basketball teams.
Ms. Krauth earned her bachelor of science and masters degrees in packaging at Rochester Institute of Technology.
She has worked with a variety companies during her career, including: McNeil Consumer Products Company (Johnson and Johnson) in Philadelphia; Estee Lauder in Melville, New York; Pall Biomedical (medical filters) in Great Neck, NY and Bausch and Lomb in Rochester.
At Bausch and Lomb she was the manager of Global Packaging and was responsible for six facilities: Rochester, Tampa, FL; Greenville, SC; Monza, Italy; Berlin, Germany; and Waterford, Ireland.
During her 13 years with Bausch and Lomb she received many awards and recognitions for her designs and cost-saving projects—one of which saved the company a half of a million dollars.
Ms. Krauth is currently the manager of packaging engineering at Rockline Industries and is responsible for six facilities in: Arkasas, New Jersey, Wisconsin, United Kingdom, Netherlands and China.
Rock Line Industries is one of the largest manufacturing companies of wet wipes.
She has filed a Record of Invention and is currently working on a patent submission for her packaging container design.
She holds membership in the Institute of Packaging Professionals and the Society of Plastic Engineers.
Ms. Krauth is athlete and played women’s professional football for five years in the Women’s Professional Football League playing for the NY Galaxy in Rochester and the Syracuse Sting in Syracuse.
As a member of the National Women’s Football League she played for the Rochester Raptors. She was also a member of the Women’s Continental Football League, playing for the NY Gems in New York City.
She also competed in the Empire State Games in snowshoeing for two years ( silver and bronze medals) and Western Women’s Rugby, receiving gold and bronze medals.
Ms. Krauth also coached rugby for five years for the Empire Games.
She has donated her time and talents to Habitat for Humanity, Women Building Together in Rochester and Arkansas.
She supports the House of Mercy in Rochester, a center that helps disadvantaged families and children.
She has worked with the YWCA in the areas of working women’s wardrobe, transitional housing and supportive living. She has also been involved in the Society for the Prevention and Care of Children in Rochester.
Her father, Charles Krauth, of Brocton, nominated Marlene for induction into the Hall of Fame.
The Rev. Jack L. Marshall,
Class of 1947, Missionary
Jack Marshall is a member of the Brocton Central School Class of 1947. He attended Houghton College, Northwestern Bible College and the University of Arizona at Tucson.
His ministry career dates back to 1947 when he became a member of the “Royalaires” male quartet at Houghton College. The Reverend was ordained to ministry in 1951 by Bethany Fellowship Baptist Churches.
From 1951-1953 he served as the pastor of the Mission Covenant Church in Bessemer, PA, the director for Youth for Christ in New Castle, PA and Children’s Director for New Castle City Rescue Mission. The Rev. Marshall also served as director of Youth for Christ in Jamestown from 1953-1955.
In 1956, Rev. Marshall became a missionary for Youth for Christ International and was dispatched to Japan until 1963. This seven-year mission would set a course for Rev. Marshall’s ministry.
After returning to the United States, the Rev. accepted a one-year associate pastorship at the Calvary Presbyterian Church in Fresno, California.
In 1964, the Rev. Marshall served as a missionary on an Overseas Crusade Mission to Brazil. This three-year journey ended in 1967.
In 1968, the Rev. became the director of Student Ministries at Ochanomizu Student Christian Center in Tokoyo, Japan. He served in this capacity for five years. Leaving to found and become pastor of Osaka International Church in Osaka, Japan, a position he would hold for the next 18 years. During this time he also served as Overseas Vice President for Asia, World Opportunities International, Hollywood, CA.
After losing his first wife to cancer, the Rev. Marshall married Keiko in 1997.
The husband and wife team have a background that has well equipped them for the unique bilingual ministry to which God has called them. With years of experience in ministry while living in Japan, Brazil and Indonesia as well as overseeing a ministry in Korea and Taiwan, they are both well versed in the needs of the church around the world with a special burden for the Japanese-both in Japan and overseas. Having started his ministry in youth work, the Rev. maintains an excitement about presenting Biblical truth in a living and vital way. Keiko shares this same excitement as she translates these truths to Japanese
Together and individually, the couple has conducted workshops at Equipper Conference ’97 and ’98 in Seattle as well as being speakers at EC in ’99 and ’01 sponsored by the Japanese Christian Fellowship Network. They also conducted workshops and gave a closing message of challenge at the Returnee Conference in both Tokyo and Osaka in the summer of 1998.
Throughout the summer of 1999 the couple ministered in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and various cities in the United States. They were involved in ministry at Urbana 2000 and did individual and joint conferences at post Urbana conference. In March of 2001 the couple ministered in Australia to Japanese-Australian churches as well as to other churches in Brisbane and Melbourne. They did workshops and served as the main speakers at both Equipper Conferences in 2001 and 2002. These conferences were held in California and were attended by 360 Japanese university students.
In 2002 the couple were speakers at the annual Hayama Missionary Conference held in Gotemba, Japan.
The Rev. and Mrs. Marshall carry a deep concern for the spiritual development and growth of Japanese Christians. It was this concern that led them to put together their, “Essential Truths of the Christian Faith” seminar teaching the deep truths of God’s total plan of salvation at various locations in Canada, Australia, Japan and America. The couple has been presenting these seminars since 1997.
In 2003 the couple were asked to go to Brisbane, Australia to minister to the Japanese population in that city. The have founded and are now pasturing Brisbane International Church. This missionary service is designed to reach more than 5,000 Japanese people living in Brisbane.
The Rev. Marshall was nominated for induction into the Hall of Fame by Alberta Blakely of Brocton.
Douglas Richardson, Class of 1962,
Humanitarian
Douglas Richardson is a member of the Brocton Central School Class of 1962.
Mr. Richardson is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for his humanity and dedication to helping improve the life of others.
Rich Heyden of Coral Springs, Florida Springs nominated Mr. Richardson for induction into the Hall of Fame.
In his letter of nomination, Mr. Heyden said, “ I truly believe that Doug’s experiences and his humanitarian contributions will be an inspiration to future graduates of BCS.”
Mr. Richardson is the co-founder of Go Out and Live Successfully an organization known as GOALS. The primary focus of G.O.A.L.S., Inc. is to help individuals with spinal cord injuries: Achieve greater mobility and independence, better access their environment, and continue an active, productive life.
A secondary focus for G.O.A.L.S., Inc. is to assist agencies serving individuals with spinal cord injuries.
Mr. Richardson became a quadriplegic, paralyzed from his armpits to lower extremities after his vehicle was sideswiped by an 18-wheel tractor-trailer in 1995. He was fortunate to have the support of family and friends plus, excellent insurance, since the accident happened in a work-related situation.
However, during his hospital stay and rehabilitation, he and his wife, Nelda, noticed that others with spinal cord injuries (SCI) were not so fortunate. Many people with SCI had minimal or no insurance and, accordingly, their opportunities for re-entering the non-handicapped world were limited.
On the organization’s website, Mr. Richardson says, “As difficult as it was for us, we began to notice that some people with spinal cord injuries were not so fortunate. We saw many young men and women who had been shot... often randomly, plus others who had suffered injuries related to car accidents, diving, falls or other non-work related accidents. We even saw instances where minimal or no insurance coverage limited opportunities for continued out-patient therapy.”
“Additionally, doctors, psychologists, social workers and agency personnel told us of spinal cord-injured individuals who, for one reason or another, never left their homes, even to enjoy a movie, ball game or trip to the mall. We heard about people who did not have sufficient insurance coverage for home or vehicle modifications and individuals who could not afford to get their wheelchairs repaired or refitted.”
Doug and Nelda formed G.O.A.L.S., Inc. (“Go Out And Live Successfully!”) to help individuals who may have slipped through the cracks of the system as they coped with their disabilities. The intent of G.O.A.L.S., Inc. is to help people with spinal cord injuries better access their environment.
Their website is full of stories of equipment purchases and mobility related projects. The organization has helped people in need all across the United States. By providing better access and mobility to individuals living with a spinal cord injury, GOALS and Doug Richardson have improved the lives of hundreds of people. The organization has funded ramps, chairlifts, vans, wheelchairs, off-road vehicles and many other projects for people living with spinal cord injuries.
Doug Richardson and his late wife Nelda have dramatically improved the lives others in need-after facing devastation themselves. The couple worked to make the world a better place and will stand as role models for future generations.
Their legacy continues as their organization continues to award grants to people with spinal cord injuries and their families.
The GOALS, Inc. website address is www.goalsinc.net
Thomas Syracuse , Class of 1960,
Educational Administration
Thomas Syracuse is a member of the Brocton Central School Class of 1960, he went on to study history and political science at Alfred University, earning a bachelors degree.
Attending Colgate University , Mr. Syracuse earned a masters degree in student personnel administration in higher education with primary emphasis on admissions.
A member of ROTC, Mr. Syracuse entered the United States Army Reserves as a lieutenant and earned the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service in the Republic of Viet Nam. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1968 and retired his commission in 1971.
After serving as a graduate residential advisor at the university, he was employed as an employment interviewer representative with the New York State Employment Service Youth Opportunity Center in Rochester.
In 1972, he accepted a job as an admissions counselor at the State University of New York at Cortland and stayed at the University for 20 years. During his tenure he served as Acting Assistant Director of Admissions and Director of Admissions.
In 1988 he moved to Florida International University in Miami. He started his career there as an assistant vice president for admissions and financial aid, moving on to become an associate vice-president for enrollment, associate vice president for student affairs, associate vice president of enrollment management, Coordinator of Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Self-Study Project. He also served as an assistant director for the Office of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness. In 2001 he became a PeopleSoft SA Functional Project Team Lead at the University. In this position, he provided direction, coordination and leadership to functional unit leads (admissions, financial aid, registration and bursar) in the conversion to PeopleSoft 8.0 Student Administration System. He also has administrative responsibility for personnel issues and production schedule deadlines and acts as information officer and serves as a liaison to the campus community.
Throughout his career, Mr. Syracuse managed multi-million dollar budgets, developed and created programs that would increase and sustain college enrollment and managed departments that provide services to the entire college community.
While serving the university systems, Mr. Syracuse has worked to improve customer service, technology and communications in departments that he supervised, increasing marketing efforts and efficiency.
Throughout his educational career, Mr. Syracuse has served on numerous committees and holds many professional memberships. He has held memberships in the Florida, Southern and American Associations of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the Southern Association of Admissions Counselors and PeopleSoft-Higher Education Users Group,
He has served on more than 15 special and standing committees and task forces during his tenure at Florida International University and served as chairman for four of the groups.
During his employment at Cortland, he served on several state-level committees and the United Stated Army Military Academy Selection Committee for Senator Moynihan.
Mr. Syracuse retired from university service in April of this year.
Mr. Syracuse and his wife Stella have been married for 40 years and have two children, Cindy and Mark. His brother-in-law,the Honorable John A. Kohler, nominated him of Silver Creek.