Radnor High School Hall of Fame
2008 INDUCTEES
Radnor High School Hall of Fame
Class of 2008
Congratulations to the third class of inductees to the RHS Hall of Fame! For 2008, we welcome ten RHS greats who have had a major impact on the community and the country, and include community activists, athletes, educators, authors, an inventor, a musician and a movie executive.
Class of 2008
Congratulations to the third class of inductees to the RHS Hall of Fame! For 2008, we welcome ten RHS greats who have had a major impact on the community and the country, and include community activists, athletes, educators, authors, an inventor, a musician and a movie executive.
George M. Aman ('48)
Attorney, Community Leader
A lifelong resident of Radnor, George Aman is a member of the Class of 1948.
After graduating from Princeton and Harvard Law School, he went on to a successful career as an attorney specializing in municipal finance law. Generations of Radnor residents know him for his service to the community including township commissioner, open space advocate, planning commission member, and for his leadership roles at the Wayne Presbyterian Church. His commitment to adequate and equitable school funding led him to launch a Good Schools PA chapter.
Attorney, Community Leader
A lifelong resident of Radnor, George Aman is a member of the Class of 1948.
After graduating from Princeton and Harvard Law School, he went on to a successful career as an attorney specializing in municipal finance law. Generations of Radnor residents know him for his service to the community including township commissioner, open space advocate, planning commission member, and for his leadership roles at the Wayne Presbyterian Church. His commitment to adequate and equitable school funding led him to launch a Good Schools PA chapter.
Edith C.E. Brooke ('45)
Athlete, Teacher
An outstanding athlete at Radnor High School, Edith Calhoun played four years for the Raiders in field hockey, basketball, and tennis. She captained the girls basketball team and earned the Honor R award.
Edith continued her athletic pursuits at Ursinus College where she played field hockey, basketball, and tennis. Her 26-year career in coaching and teaching culminated in being named New Jersey Teacher of the Year in 1987. She served her Swedesboro, New Jersey, community in various capacities over the years. Currently, Edith serves as treasurer of the Alumni Association of Radnor High School.
Athlete, Teacher
An outstanding athlete at Radnor High School, Edith Calhoun played four years for the Raiders in field hockey, basketball, and tennis. She captained the girls basketball team and earned the Honor R award.
Edith continued her athletic pursuits at Ursinus College where she played field hockey, basketball, and tennis. Her 26-year career in coaching and teaching culminated in being named New Jersey Teacher of the Year in 1987. She served her Swedesboro, New Jersey, community in various capacities over the years. Currently, Edith serves as treasurer of the Alumni Association of Radnor High School.
Rae Crowther ('20)
Inventor, Athlete
Born in Rosemont in 1902, Rae Crowther graduated from Radnor High School in 1920. An outstanding athlete, he played football and baseball for Colgate University. He was also an accomplished boxer, and a candidate for the U.S. Olympic team. He went on to a successful coaching career at Harvard, Drexel and the University of Pennsylvania.
Raes training in civil engineering and mathematics led to his invention and marketing of the two-man and seven man blocking sleds still in use today by high school, college, and professional football teams throughout the country. Raes legacy lives on through the Rae Crowther Football and Strength Equipment Company based in Rock Hill, South Carolina
Inventor, Athlete
Born in Rosemont in 1902, Rae Crowther graduated from Radnor High School in 1920. An outstanding athlete, he played football and baseball for Colgate University. He was also an accomplished boxer, and a candidate for the U.S. Olympic team. He went on to a successful coaching career at Harvard, Drexel and the University of Pennsylvania.
Raes training in civil engineering and mathematics led to his invention and marketing of the two-man and seven man blocking sleds still in use today by high school, college, and professional football teams throughout the country. Raes legacy lives on through the Rae Crowther Football and Strength Equipment Company based in Rock Hill, South Carolina
Bill Daly ('71)
Film Executive
Bill graduated from Temple University School of Communications and Theater in 1977 and went directly to Los Angeles to work for ABC. In 1996, he joined Lorimar-Telepictures where he continued to work on TV productions and several feature films. When Warner Communications acquired Lorimar, Bill moved to Burbank and joined Warner Brothers Pictures. He became Post-Production Director in 1997 and rose to Vice President in 2003. Bill has been involved with all of the Harry Potter films, the Matrix Trilogy, Lethal Weapon 3 & 4, The Perfect Storm, Oceans Eleven, and many more. Bill was inducted into the Temple University Hall of Fame in 2007.
Film Executive
Bill graduated from Temple University School of Communications and Theater in 1977 and went directly to Los Angeles to work for ABC. In 1996, he joined Lorimar-Telepictures where he continued to work on TV productions and several feature films. When Warner Communications acquired Lorimar, Bill moved to Burbank and joined Warner Brothers Pictures. He became Post-Production Director in 1997 and rose to Vice President in 2003. Bill has been involved with all of the Harry Potter films, the Matrix Trilogy, Lethal Weapon 3 & 4, The Perfect Storm, Oceans Eleven, and many more. Bill was inducted into the Temple University Hall of Fame in 2007.
Alice Frey Emerson ('49)
Educator
A 1949 Radnor graduate, Alice Frey Emerson earned her Ph.D. from Bryn Mawr College. She taught at Bryn Mawr before becoming Dean of Womenand later Dean of Studentsat the University of Pennsylvania.
During her seventeen-year tenure as President of Wheaton College in Massachusetts, she promoted gender equity and guided the school in its transition to a co-educational institution in 1975. Upon retirement from Wheaton, she was named a Mellon Fellow. Recently she has served as a consultant and board member for non-profit organizations focusing on the environment and children at risk.
Educator
A 1949 Radnor graduate, Alice Frey Emerson earned her Ph.D. from Bryn Mawr College. She taught at Bryn Mawr before becoming Dean of Womenand later Dean of Studentsat the University of Pennsylvania.
During her seventeen-year tenure as President of Wheaton College in Massachusetts, she promoted gender equity and guided the school in its transition to a co-educational institution in 1975. Upon retirement from Wheaton, she was named a Mellon Fellow. Recently she has served as a consultant and board member for non-profit organizations focusing on the environment and children at risk.
David Gockley ('61)
Music
David Gockley graduated from Radnor in 1961, and later from Brown University where he majored in conducting and composition. He earned a Masters degree from Columbia University Business School. He combined his love of music with his business acumen as director of the Houston Grand Opera Company for thirty years. He is known as a leading innovator and producer of new works including Nixon in China, Cold Sassy Tree, and The Little Prince.
In 2006, David became the general director of the San Francisco Opera. Under his leadership, the San Francisco Opera will premiere Amy Tans The Bonesetters Daughter in the fall of 2008. His vision is to present innovative productions that appeal to broader and more diverse audiences
Music
David Gockley graduated from Radnor in 1961, and later from Brown University where he majored in conducting and composition. He earned a Masters degree from Columbia University Business School. He combined his love of music with his business acumen as director of the Houston Grand Opera Company for thirty years. He is known as a leading innovator and producer of new works including Nixon in China, Cold Sassy Tree, and The Little Prince.
In 2006, David became the general director of the San Francisco Opera. Under his leadership, the San Francisco Opera will premiere Amy Tans The Bonesetters Daughter in the fall of 2008. His vision is to present innovative productions that appeal to broader and more diverse audiences
Steven Rogers ('75)
Entrepreneur, Professor
Steven Rogers came from the South Side of Chicago to Radnor High School as a RadnorA Better Chance student in the early years of the program. While at Radnor, he was an honor student, an all-league linebacker on the football team, and an actor in Radnors drama department.
After graduating from Radnor, Steve did his undergraduate work at Williams College and earned his MBA from Harvards Business School in 1985. He is currently the Gund Family Professor of Entrepreneurship at Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management. He has earned numerous teaching awards and serves on a variety of advisory boards. In 1996, Business Week named Steve one of the top twelve professors at graduate business schools in the U.S. He received the National A Better Chance Award in 2001 and currently serves on its National Board of Directors. He has served as a trustee for Williams College and Harvard Business School. He has endowed scholarships at three schools for students with financial needs and donates to the Radnor ABC program providing much-needed funding for capital improvements.
Entrepreneur, Professor
Steven Rogers came from the South Side of Chicago to Radnor High School as a RadnorA Better Chance student in the early years of the program. While at Radnor, he was an honor student, an all-league linebacker on the football team, and an actor in Radnors drama department.
After graduating from Radnor, Steve did his undergraduate work at Williams College and earned his MBA from Harvards Business School in 1985. He is currently the Gund Family Professor of Entrepreneurship at Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management. He has earned numerous teaching awards and serves on a variety of advisory boards. In 1996, Business Week named Steve one of the top twelve professors at graduate business schools in the U.S. He received the National A Better Chance Award in 2001 and currently serves on its National Board of Directors. He has served as a trustee for Williams College and Harvard Business School. He has endowed scholarships at three schools for students with financial needs and donates to the Radnor ABC program providing much-needed funding for capital improvements.
Sally Bedell Smith ('66)
Author
While at Radnor, Sally Rowbotham Bedell Smith was an all-around student and athlete participating in field hockey, lacrosse, and cheerleading. After graduating from college, she began a career in journalism. A contributing editor at Vanity Fair since 1996, she previously worked at TV Guide, Time, and The New York Times. She was awarded a Sigma Delta Chi Distinguished Service Award for magazine reporting in 1982 and was a fellow at the Freedom Forum Media Studies Center in 1986. She is the author of best-selling biographies of William S. Paley, Pamela Harriman, Diana Princess of Wales, John and Jacqueline Kennedy, and Bill and Hillary Clinton.
Author
While at Radnor, Sally Rowbotham Bedell Smith was an all-around student and athlete participating in field hockey, lacrosse, and cheerleading. After graduating from college, she began a career in journalism. A contributing editor at Vanity Fair since 1996, she previously worked at TV Guide, Time, and The New York Times. She was awarded a Sigma Delta Chi Distinguished Service Award for magazine reporting in 1982 and was a fellow at the Freedom Forum Media Studies Center in 1986. She is the author of best-selling biographies of William S. Paley, Pamela Harriman, Diana Princess of Wales, John and Jacqueline Kennedy, and Bill and Hillary Clinton.
Maya van Rossum ('84)
Environmentalist
A 1984 Radnor graduate, Maya went on to LaSalle University, then earned graduate degrees from Pace University and Widener University Law Schools. Her passion for the environment has led to her current role as the Delaware Riverkeeper. In this position, she concerns herself with keeping the Delaware River and its environs safe for its natural inhabitants and the people of our region.
Maya serves on many committees dedicated to protecting the Delaware River watershed and is an adjunct professor and director of the Environmental Law Clinic at Temple Universitys Beasley School of Law. She has received numerous honors including the Touchstone Award by the Society of Women Environmental Professionals.
Environmentalist
A 1984 Radnor graduate, Maya went on to LaSalle University, then earned graduate degrees from Pace University and Widener University Law Schools. Her passion for the environment has led to her current role as the Delaware Riverkeeper. In this position, she concerns herself with keeping the Delaware River and its environs safe for its natural inhabitants and the people of our region.
Maya serves on many committees dedicated to protecting the Delaware River watershed and is an adjunct professor and director of the Environmental Law Clinic at Temple Universitys Beasley School of Law. She has received numerous honors including the Touchstone Award by the Society of Women Environmental Professionals.
Sam Virgilio ('58)
Athlete, Teacher, Coach
While a student at Radnor, Sam earned three varsity football letters for the Raiders at offensive guard, defensive lineman, and punter, and he served as captain during his senior year. He went on to West Chester University where he continued to excel in athletics.
Upon graduating from college with a degree in physical education, he returned to Radnor to teach and coach football, wrestling, gymnastics, diving, and track and field. He was a national champion archer and served as Radnors head football coach from 1992-1994.
Athlete, Teacher, Coach
While a student at Radnor, Sam earned three varsity football letters for the Raiders at offensive guard, defensive lineman, and punter, and he served as captain during his senior year. He went on to West Chester University where he continued to excel in athletics.
Upon graduating from college with a degree in physical education, he returned to Radnor to teach and coach football, wrestling, gymnastics, diving, and track and field. He was a national champion archer and served as Radnors head football coach from 1992-1994.