The Fayetteville Public Member who has served on various school committees over the years, was recognized as a friend of education.
Koenig said he was honored to be recognized for his contributions over the years, since he is not a graduate.
“ It is with great humility that I accept this honor, ” he said.
Koenig has a background in engineering and was the proprietor of Upchurch Electric in Fayetteville for many years. He has lived in the community since 1979, and he and his wife have three children who attended Fayetteville schools. Education Foundation inducted Jeff Koenig, Mitzi Kuroda and Gregg Ogden into the Hall of Honor on Thursday evening.
Started 11 years ago, the Hall of Honor recognizes former students, school employees or friends of education in Fayetteville.
Kuroda and Ogden were honored as successful graduates of the system, from 1977 and 1980, respectively. Koenig, a former school board member,
Kuroda is a genetics professor at Harvard Medical School and holds a doctorate from Stanford University. During her career, she has been involved in many studies about chromosomes and genetics.
Ogden was the founder of Athletic World Advertising in Fayetteville. He died in August and was inducted posthumously. His children, Audra and Blake, also FHS graduates, attended the ceremony and accepted the honor on his behalf.
Koenig said he was proud to be part of some of the positive changes in Fayetteville over the years. He was part of a committee that led a successful millage campaign to fund improved technology in the schools.
“ We became one of the first districts in the state to dedicate a millage to technology, ” Koenig said. “ It is when we work together that we are strong. ”
Kuroda said her experiences growing up helped prepare her for life after high school.
“ This is such a great place to grow up, ” she said. “ This isn’t so much an individual honor as it is a tribute to the education system. ”
Ogden’s children spoke about their father’s love for the community and how he had been looking forward to accepting the honor. Ogden was notified of his selection by foundation members prior to his death.
“ This is a very special award. He was very excited about receiving it, ” Audra Ogden said. “ He was a great dad who touched many people’s lives. ”
“ He chose Fayetteville because he knew it was a great place to be raised, ” Blake Ogden said.
A short tribute video for each of the candidates was shown before the induction. In Ogden’s video, Fayetteville Athletic Director Dick Johnson recalled how it had been good working with Ogden and his company.
In the video, Johnson recalled how happy he was when Ogden agreed to contribute funds for the track at Harmon Field. The track is now named in his honor.
“ It was the closest I’ve ever come to kissing a guy, ” Johnson said in the video.
In addition to the induction ceremony Thursday, foundation Director Treva Hamilton announced four gifts the foundation recently received.
The foundation received a $ 100, 000 gift from Tom and Natalie Garrison and a “ $ 25, 000 Keystone Fund ” grant from the Class of 1957 in honor of late Fayetteville resident John Lewis.
The family of Alice Ann Simkins donated a $ 50, 000 endowment to establish the R. W. Willis and Simkins Family Fund. Willis was a band director at FHS who wrote the alma mater, and money raised from the endowment is dedicated to the band, Hamilton said.
The foundation also received $ 50, 000 from an anonymous donor, she said.
Koenig and Kuroda also spoke to Fayetteville High School seniors during the day. It has become a tradition for inductees to address the students.
“ I graduated 30 years ago, and I haven’t been back in 20 years, ” Kuroda said.
Koenig said his experiences at Mountain Home High School are still memorable and helped shape who he is.
As juniors, his class organized the “ most elaborate prom ever” for the school, and as seniors, the class decided to develop a scholarship fund instead of taking a senior trip, he said. It was interesting how the students were able to bond together despite their different interests and backgrounds.
“ To this day, I draw upon my high school years, ” he said. “ You will become the culmination of your experiences. Choose those experiences wisely. ”
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