click here to read more about this year's OHS Distinguished Alumni

The Montrose Education Foundation, Inc, has announced the Distinguished Alumni for 2009. This prestigious award is designed to honor Montrose and Olathe High School graduates who exemplify outstanding achievement in their life’s work and/or service to their communities.  Nominations are open throughout the year, and the selections are made each spring. 

This year’s recipients include:

• Robert Andrews, Olathe High School Class of 1954, has led a remarkable life.  After graduating in the middle of his class, he enlisted in the Air Force and upon completion of Basic Training was promoted directly to Drill Instructor—the youngest in the Air Force’s history. After serving his country, he began working in the financial industry.  Eight years after high school, working full time and without any financial assistance, Mr. Andrews was able to attend college.   He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics and a Juris Doctor Degree (with honors) in four and one-half years (this usually takes at least seven years) from the University of Arizona, finishing fourth in his class.  He was selected to write for the Arizona Law Review.  Mr. Andrews moved to California and practiced law for forty years.  Beyond his professional accomplishments, which are significant, Mr. Andrews is a generous benefactor in his local community.  He contributed $50,000 to help a new school establish a library.  He supports individual teachers, athletic teams and proposals that benefit children.  Recently, he brought his philanthropic philosophy to Olathe High School.  He funds the Outstanding Olathe Educator Award each year to encourage and reward outstanding teachers, contributes to the physical education department at OHS and recently provided support to bring the entire Caldecott and Newberry Award winning books to the OMHS Library.
  

• Dr. Christopher Bollinger, Olathe High School Class of 1988.  Dr. Bollinger received a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Regis University in 1992, a Masters in Science from the University of Charleston, West Virginia and earned his Doctorate from Bolling Green State University, Ohio, in Communications. Dr. Bollinger is a published author and has facilitated professional training on addressing issues of cultural diversity, communication arts, including conflict and violence topics.  He has served on the Mexican American Academic Policies Subcommittee and has received grants to research violence against women to develop courses in preventing, intervening and responding to such violence. Dr. Bollinger is currently a college professor at Texas Lutheran University in Sequin, Texas.

• Bertha Pitts Campbell, Montrose High School Class of 1908.  Miss Pitts grew up in Montrose and was raised by her grandmother, an ex-slave, who knew the importance of an education. While she and Bertha returned ironing they did to support themselves, Grandma Eliza made careful mental notes of all kindergarten classes in the area. Being the only Black families in Montrose, Grandma Eliza Butler knew that Bertha had to excel in school--and excel she did. Bertha made a name for herself as she matriculated through the Montrose school system, graduating from high school summa cum laude and being named valedictorian. She received a full scholarship to Colorado College but instead chose to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C. For the first time in her life, Bertha’s thirst for knowledge was only surpassed by her thirst for information about other women of color. On January 13, 1913, Miss Pitts helped found the Delta Sigma Theta (ΔΣΘ) sorority. In June 1913, Miss Pitts graduated cum laude from Howard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education.  In 1918 she married Earl Allen Campbell, and they had one son, Earl Jr.  Both her husband and son passed away in the 1950s.  The Washington State House of Representatives honored Campbell for her life and work on May 11, 1987, and she stood in the gallery to accept the honor. In turn, Seattle proclaimed June 13, 1987, as Bertha Pitts Campbell Day. On her 100th birthday she received praise and visits from friends and political leaders. Bertha Pitts Campbell died on April 2, 1990. A book has been written about the life of Mrs. Campbell by Pauline S. Hill, “Too Young to be Old.”

• Everett A. Gilbert, Montrose High School Class of 1938.  Mr. Gilbert was Valedictorian of his class and after graduating from Colorado State University on a full scholarship, married the Salutatorian, Augusta Sheets in 1943.  After college, Mr. Gilbert was offered a position with General Electric and travelled the country as an electrical engineer.  He was part of the Manhattan Project, a team that designed, constructed and tested equipment that isolated the specific isotope that was needed for the atomic bomb.  Holding one of the highest security clearances available, Mr. Gilbert then was asked to investigate the small German stealth submarines that were detected along the US coast during World War II.  In 1968 he and Augusta returned to Montrose and started the Da-Tel Research Company.  He has influenced a number of young people to become electrical engineers and has received many patents for his equipment. 

• Dr. Garret Taylor, Montrose High School Class of 1991.  Garret was the class clown and not necessarily thought of as “Most Likely to Succeed” according to his nominator.  After high school, Garret worked as an assistant manager at the local Kentucky Fried Chicken.  One year later, he enrolled at Fort Lewis College in Durango and graduated with two Bachelor of Science Degrees—in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology—going from class clown to fast food worker to a double degree!  Garret continued his education at the University of Colorado at Denver Medical School.  He did his residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota.  Dr. Taylor practices emergency medicine at Avera McKennan Hospital and University Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  Dr. Taylor is married to another MHS alum, Melinda Droskin and they have two children. 

Former recipients:

Montrose High School                                                                Olathe High School

Jack Pixler, 1944                                                                          David Underwood, Ph.D., 1963
Roberto Herman Cordova, Ph.D., 1965                                         Ray Schmalz, 1964
Marvin Gill, 1953                                                                         Wayne Blair, 1980
Peg Moynihan McCaffrey, 1940                            
Travis Proctor, 1994

Nominations are taken throughout the year.  Selection is in February.  Nominate someone today! 
Nomination Form in Word
Nomination Form in Adobe pdf