The Upper Arlington Alumni Association (UAAA) invites graduates, former and current teachers and administrators to honor alumni and educators who have been selected to receive awards during the Alumni Day Open House on July 1 at the Upper Arlington High School.  The ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m.

Four teachers will be inducted into the Educator Hall of Fame.  These teachers were nominated by peers and selected by a group representing teachers and alumni. The Educator Hall of Fame was established in 2007 by former UAHS Principal and current Upper Arlington City Council President and Mayor Kip Greenhill to honor “the best of the best” teachers in the district.

 

This year's honorees are:

Bruce Brombacher

Brombacher taught math at Jones Middle School and was teacher of the year twice at Jones thanks to his commitment to students of all levels.  His first award led to district, state and then national teacher of the year honors.  Now, in retirement, Bruce is enjoying time with his 5 grandchildren as well as gardening, volunteering and fishing.

Joe Caruso

Caruso was a math and science teacher and taught at Jones Middle School and the high school during his career in Upper Arlington.  Joe routinely rode his vintage bicycle to work.  Students who decided the bike was an “eyesore” formed a group to host bake sales and raised money to surprise him with a sleek new 12-speed red racer. In addition to being a wonderful teacher, Joe led an impactful drug intervention program at the high school.

Ellen Erlanger

Erlanger began her career in Upper Arlington as a social studies teacher at Jones Middle School.  When she became an administrator, Ellen led programs focused on career education and student development.  She and her friend and colleague Kathy Meyer now provide leadership for the “Growing Together” Service-Learning Network in central Ohio. This work has allowed her to maintain strong ties to Upper Arlington, which she finds gratifying.

Whaley was a beloved teacher at Jones Middle School. She served as a District Coordinator for the 8th grade Washington, D.C. trip and was on the planning committee for the annual Veterans Day lunch. She was also the adviser for the Jones Middle School Student Council.  A former colleague, Laurie Sutherin, said, “I have never met another teacher who gave so much of themselves for the betterment of their students, their school, and their community.  As an Intervention Specialist, Sharon contributed to the success of hundreds of students over the course of her career.  She believed in educating the whole child and it was evident in everything she did that she believed that every student had the ability to be successful.”

 

Whaley recently lost her 10 year battle with cancer, but until just weeks before her passing, she was enjoying life.  She traveled, spent lots of quality time with her children and grandchildren, enjoyed gardening and visited family.  

The Upper Arlington Alumni Association have selected two Outstanding Alumni who have generously dedicated their time and service to our community.

Charlie Groezinger (Class of 1968)

Many UA residents know Groezinger because of  his work with the Upper Arlington Historical Society, an organization that he has served as president since 2011. He is also the current Chairman of the Legacy Projects Committee, UA Centennial Task Force.  Charlie has been a resident of UA since 1953.  He and his wife, Colleen, have one son, Charles Jr., and two grandsons, Deacon (4) and Logan (2).

Beth Wroe (Class of 1973)

Wroe was selected to receive the 2018 UAAA Outstanding Alumnus Award for her continued work on behalf of the UAAA and her class reunion committee.  She is excited to celebrate her 45-year reunion this year.  Beth works as the concierge at the Blackwell Inn at OSU.  She has four grown children and six grandchildren who bring her pure joy.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award will be presented to two accomplished gentlemen who have had exceptional personal and career achievement. 

Jack Mortland (Class of 1953)

Mortland was on the cross country and basketball teams at Upper Arlington High School.  He continued competing in cross country and track at Bowling Green State University, earning three letters and a degree in Journalism.  While in graduate school at OSU, Mortland took up race walking.  He was on the UA National track teams in 1961 and 1965.  In 1964, Jack was on the U.S. Olympic team, finishing 17th in the 20-kilometer race-walk in Tokyo. He was also a member of the 1967 U.S. team for the World Cup of Racewalking.  Jack’s career included industrial engineering at Westinghouse and technical writing and editing at Battelle. For 51 years he edited and published a newsletter on the sport of race walking, "The Ohio Racewalker," which circulated nationally and internationally.

David Younkin (Class of 1958)

Younkin attended The Ohio State University, studying aeronautical and astronautical engineering. He has had an amazing career that began as a B-52 co-pilot in the Air Force.  He volunteered repeatedly for Vietnam.  He later became an instructor pilot.  After earning his MBA in 1984, and retiring from the Air Force, Dave spent eight years in the space program for the government and then went into industry as a space systems engineer and project engineer.  Dave recently lost his wife of 53 years, Joan.  They have three children, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  

For more information about the Upper Arlington Alumni Association and the Open House on July 1, please visit BearAlums.com.