Educators
Educators Hall of Fame
In October 1999, Southwestern College received a gift from the estate of Marjorie Smith, a 1927 graduate who had taught mathematics at Lyons and Dexter, Kansas, for 20 years.
This gift was used to establish a hall of fame to honor Southwestern College alumni educators who have made significant contributions in the field of education. The first Educators Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held in April of 2000.
Inductees to the Southwestern College Educators Hall of Fame are honored each year in April. More information on nominating deserving educators can be found under "Criteria" in the gray directory to the right of this webpage.
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2026 Educators Hall of Fame
Saturday, April 18
12:00 pm Educators Hall of Fame Luncheon | Deets Library RSVP Required
12:45 pm Educators Hall of Fame Ceremony | Deets LibraryInductees
- George Lowe `74
- David Stinemetze `71
- Martha Fitzwater
RSVP by April 10, 2026. Cost for the luncheon is $25/person. To RSVP, submit RSVP form, email alumni@sckans.edu or call
. 620.229.6155
2026 Inductees
George Lowe was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up on the south shore of Long Island. In 1970 when he was a high school senior, Southwestern offered George a college football scholarship. It seemed like a great opportunity and he accepted.
Having never been more than 50 miles from his home at that time, and never even setting foot on the Southwestern campus until he arrived for a two-week course on language art skills the summer before his freshman year, it was quite a culture shock. But as George was soon to discover and would never forget, Southwestern offered so very much more than just a degree. He learned from teachers who would become lifelong mentors and he made friends that he continues to hold in the highest regard all these years later.
Following his graduation from Southwestern in 1974 with a teaching degree, George taught a few years in New York before he and wife Susan made the decision to move back to Kansas. After two years of teaching at Turon Elementary School, his next teaching position was at Haven Elementary. During the 11 years he was there, Coach Lowe, as he was affectionately called by everyone in town, not only taught in the classroom, but at every sport with which he was involved.
In 1990, George’s supervisor during his student teaching at Southwestern, encouraged him to come to Winfield and apply for the junior high boys Physical Education teacher. George took his advice. From that decision, he would spend most of his career teaching and coaching in Winfield’s middle and high schools.
In the years since retiring from full-time teaching, George has been a classroom volunteer both at the elementary and the high school levels in Winfield. He has continued with coaching, and the last four years had an outstanding program at Central of Burden with the junior high girls basketball team. For three years straight, his team was undefeated and won the league championship. Because of this and his over 50 years of coaching, Coach Lowe was named by the State of Kansas as Outstanding Coach of the Year for 2024–25.
He continues to be a mentor to kids of all ages. Even today, George receives phone calls and notes from former students, sometimes asking for advice, sometimes just letting him know what they are doing, but mostly, thanking him for the impact he had on their lives when they were growing up.
David Stinemetze was raised in Arkansas City, Kansas, and graduated from Arkansas City Senior High School in 1967. He completed an AB in chemistry in 1971, finished his education credentials in 1972 at Southwestern College, took an MS in chemistry from Emporia State University in 1980, and did some postgraduate studies in engineering physics at Wichita State University.
David began his teaching career in August of 1972 at Arkansas City Junior High School, teaching ninth grade science and mathematics. He transferred to Arkansas City High School in 1976 and has remained there since, teaching various classes in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
Over a period of several years, starting about 1998, he wrote the textbooks “Chemistry with Sally” (Sally the bulldog is the school mascot) and “Physics in Bulldog Land” which are in-house publications at ACHS and used in the chemistry and physics classes. When computer technology became available to all ACHS students around 2012, David began to work toward teaching his more advanced classes in a flipped schedule format with presentation of new material being done largely by video, as homework, with class time devoted mainly to activities such as demonstrations, problem solving, and laboratory work. This approach allows more class time for students who need assistance and has also made it possible to meet the needs of students who have irresolvable scheduling conflicts as well as those who wish to work ahead and master more subject matter.
David has been active in the Kansas National Education Association (KNEA) his entire career and was an officer in the Arkansas City Teachers’ Association for many years, serving as building representative, grievance counselor, president, and chief negotiator. He also served several terms on the Walnut Valley Uniserv (KNEA’s regional office) Administrative Board and two terms on the KNEA Board of Directors. He is an avid traveler and, along with his cosponsors, has taken five groups of students on spring break trips to New York City and five others on summer trips to Europe. He is now completing his fifty-fourth year teaching in Arkansas City and plans to return for a fifty-fifth.
Martha (Lawrence) Fitzwater, daughter of Vivian (Compton) Lawrence, class of 1942 and Fred Lawrence , class of 1943, was raised in Winfield and graduated from Winfield High School in 1967. She attended Southwestern College for two years before earning a Bachelor of Art Education from the University of Kansas in May 1971.
Throughout her career, she taught art at all age levels across seven Kansas school districts, including Florence Junior High; Inman (all grades); West Elk High School in Howard; Buhler High School; Paola Middle and High School; Wellington Junior High; and Winfield High School. She also served a four-year term as Artist-in-Residence for the Winfield Arts & Humanities Council, working with a wide range of participants, including pre-release inmates, probation clients, public and parochial school students, adults, and REACH preschool children.
After retiring from Winfield High School, she continued teaching as an adjunct art instructor at Southwestern College for nine years. She currently facilitates adult open studio art classes at the Winfield Arts & Humanities Council and occasionally exhibits her work at art festivals.
Nominations
To nominate a deserving teacher, please fill out the online nomination form. For more information on Southwestern College department of education, please refer to the education webpage.
EDUCATORS HALL OF FAME NOMINATION FORM
Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education
The Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education was created in 2000 for the purpose of recognizing Southwestern College alumni who have given distinguished service as special education teachers. The original corpus of the fund supporting the McNeish Award was established through the generosity of Dick Merriman and Margot Kelman.
To nominate a deserving teacher for this award, fill out the appropriate online nomination form or contact the Office of Alumni Programs to obtain a form to return by mail. Letters of support are not required but may be provided for additional information about nominees.
MARILYN MCNEISH AWARD NOMINATION FORM
Mission
To recognize and honor outstanding Southwestern College Alumni who excel as educators.
Goals
- To recognize and honor outstanding educators.
- To provide opportunities, resources and assistance to aid teachers in their professional growth.
- To celebrate excellence in teaching.
- To recognize the history and quality of the development of teachers by the Southwestern College Education Program.
- To provide opportunities for individuals and organizations to invest in quality educators.
Guidelines for selection of nominee
Dedication, Knowledge, Professionalism
Criteria for Qualification
Alumni of Southwestern College Education Department with
significant contribution(s) to education
See also, Scholars Hall of Fame
Alumni of Southwestern College who have distinguished careers in higher education or other areas of scholarship are recognized in the Scholars Hall of Fame
Educators Hall of Fame Members
Southwestern College alumni who have made significant achievements in the field of education are recognized annually in the Educators Hall of Fame. Since the inaugural year of 2000, many notable Moundbuilders have been honored by having their names placed in this Hall of Fame. The actual display is located in the lobby of the Jim and Hazel Dole Center for Teacher Education on the Southwestern College main campus.
The Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education is given to a dedicated, knowledgeable, and deserving alumnus/a of the Southwestern College education department who has made significant contribution(s) to the field of special education.
2026 Inductees
George Lowe `74
David Stinemetze `71
Martha Fitzwater
2025 Inductees
Jane Bodman-Smith `93
Susan (Ingerson) Porter `64
Ken Rickard `69
2024 Inductees
Anita (Jantz) Ewart `74
Stephen Peebles `89
2023 Inductees
Tabatha Rosproy ‘09
Brent Wolf ‘03/’15
Barb White ‘80
2022 Inductees
Lynne (Bales) Hunter '75
Ruth (Franklin) McKeefery '45
2022 Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education
Ralph Hanna Jr. '60
2019 Inductees
Dr. Gary King ’63
Judy (Martin) Haynes ’67
Dr. Janet Doud ’16
2018 Inductees
Joe Coles '72
Chuck Haag '72
Kris (Grooms) Trimmer '75
2018 Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education
Bill ReQua '70/'06
2017 Inductees
Chitra Harris '10
DeAnne (Hastings) Heersche '84
Joy (Weigle) Will '69
2016 Inductees
Kathryne (Cooper) Delcarpio '74
Florence (Cutter) Metcalf '63
Robert "Bob" Nispel '57
2016 Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education
Danielle N. Shioyama '10/'14
2015 Inductees
Gyla (Brock) Conklin '58
Cheryl (Bernard) Schasteen '71
Kenneth E. Valentine '70
No award for the Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education in 2015
2014 Inductees
Frank D. Davidson '79
John W. Marshall '70
Ronda J. (Sims) Marshall '70
No award for the Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education in 2014
2013 Inductees
Marilyn G. (Stanton) Davidson '63
Diane K. (Ford) Nickelson '95
Bobby Joe Slade '57
2013 Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education
Vicki L. (Sims) Hitchcock '72
2012 Inductees
E. Katherine (White) Davidson '38/'56
Angela C. "Anne" Farmer '97
James D. "Jim" Wilson '67
2012 Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education
Andrew M. Brenn '01/'06
2011 Inductees
Yvonne (Osgood) English '60
Lynn (Watkins) Felts '77
Lonnie A. Howerton '69
No award for the Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education in 2011
2010 Inductees
Thomas "Tom" Mundinger '72
Clinton C. Trillingham '21
Lois J. (Dryden) Vasey '49
2010 Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education
Kimberly I. "Kim" Mercer '86
2009 Inductees
Sally (Mann) Cauble '72
Gary L. Rhodes '72
Darla Jean (Jones) Wilson '58
No award for the Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education in 2009
2008 Inductees
H. Bertram "Bert" Keller '38
Bruce J. Williams '62
Larry R. Williams '60
2008 Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education
Kathryn (Heitschmidt) Cavalier '69
2007 Inductees
Elizabeth (Arisio) Baumgart '60
Hazel (Palmer) Dole '52
Minerva (Smith) Van Arsdale '69
2007 Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education
Linda Weir-Enegren '69
2006 Inductees
Mary Lou (Bauer) Martin '60
William C. "Bill" Medley '49
T.H. "Curley" Vaughan '14
2006 Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education
Geoffrey G. Moon '97
2005 Inductees
Cindy (Batt) Goertz '66
Grady Kimbrell '56
Marilyn (Edwards) Shaw '75
2005 Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education
Nancy (Carroll) Juhlin '73
2004 Inductees
Ron Haynes '67
Patricia (White) Barlow '73
Shirley (Stewart) Ross '58
2004 Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education
Marvin Estes '66
2003 Inductees
Ronald Burgess '58
Kathi (Phillips) Fischer '74
Sheldon McGuire '53
2003 Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education
Louise (Simpson) Reimer '68
2002 Inductees
James Dole '58
Ken Forsyth '61
Dan Kahler '50
2002 Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education
Sharilyn (Hogue) Hill '87
2001 Inductees
Sheryl (Huber) Lloyd '69
David McGuire '47
Fran (Swink) O'Keefe '93
2001 Marilyn McNeish Award for Special Education
Charles Kent Garhart '59
2000 Inductees
Marjorie Smith '27
Glenn Wooddell '63
Larry Miller '71
Bill Musick '39
Brilla (Highfill) Scott '59
Linda Lungren '68
Past Inductions
2025 Educators Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Saturday, April 12, 2025
2024 Educators Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
April 20, 2024
2022 Educators Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
April 23, 2022
2019 Educators Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
April 13, 2019
2018 Educators Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
April 14, 2018
2017 Educators Hall of Fame Induction Photos
2017 Educators Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Video
2016 Educators Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Video
2016 Educators Hall of Fame Photos
2015 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
2014 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
