2012 INDUCTEES
Four well-known figures are the first inductees in the GHSAA's newly formed Hall of Achievement, which honor's Grant High's "Five Star Generals."
The four are Colton Meek, one of several inspirational principals and who came to Grant in the forties; Beverly Bunn Cleary, class of 1934 and famed author of many children's books and recipient of literary awards; and two members of the class of 1953: Astronaut and Air Force honoree Gordon Fullerton; and former cabinet member, energy consultant, and evangelist Don Hodel. All are living except for Meek who died in 1974 at age 82.
The idea for the honoring of outstanding alumni and faculty resulted in the announcement last year that the first and honorary inductee would be Ulysses S. Grant himself, whom historians have re-assessed as a man of special character and integrity, the first president to travel the world, and the author of a military history unequaled in modern times.
Inspiration came from the school's Athletic Hall of Fame with the realization that Grant graduates have left lasting marks in many fields of endeavor, and should be recognized to inspire today's students in the Grant spirit of doing one's best and always striving for excellence with integrity, as embodied in General Grant.
With many other qualified candidates available, future selections may include lesser known graduates whose accomplishments may be unseen by the multitude but yet have strengthened the fabric of society with their lives.
The four are Colton Meek, one of several inspirational principals and who came to Grant in the forties; Beverly Bunn Cleary, class of 1934 and famed author of many children's books and recipient of literary awards; and two members of the class of 1953: Astronaut and Air Force honoree Gordon Fullerton; and former cabinet member, energy consultant, and evangelist Don Hodel. All are living except for Meek who died in 1974 at age 82.
The idea for the honoring of outstanding alumni and faculty resulted in the announcement last year that the first and honorary inductee would be Ulysses S. Grant himself, whom historians have re-assessed as a man of special character and integrity, the first president to travel the world, and the author of a military history unequaled in modern times.
Inspiration came from the school's Athletic Hall of Fame with the realization that Grant graduates have left lasting marks in many fields of endeavor, and should be recognized to inspire today's students in the Grant spirit of doing one's best and always striving for excellence with integrity, as embodied in General Grant.
With many other qualified candidates available, future selections may include lesser known graduates whose accomplishments may be unseen by the multitude but yet have strengthened the fabric of society with their lives.
Beverly bunn cleary
Beverly Bunn Cleary ’34, better known as the famous author Beverly Cleary, was born in McMinnville in 1916, and spent her early years in Yamhill. When she was six the family moved to Portland where she attended Fernwood and Grant.
Her first job was in Yakima where she realized that children were searching for books about themselves leading her to write “Henry Huggins” the first of more than 30 popular novels.
After she married Clarence Cleary in 1940, they moved to Oakland, California where their twins were born. Clarence died in 2004 and Beverly lives in Carmel.
In 2008, Hollyrood-Fernwood school was renamed Beverly Cleary School. The University of Washington bestowed its highest honor for a graduate upon her. Some of her best known characters are Henry Huggins, whose literary address is Klickitat Street, Ribsy, Beezus, Ramona Quimby. Statues in Grant Park honor her characters. Her many awards include the 1984 Newbery Medal for “Dear Mr. Henshaw”. Her books have been published in 20 languages.
Her first job was in Yakima where she realized that children were searching for books about themselves leading her to write “Henry Huggins” the first of more than 30 popular novels.
After she married Clarence Cleary in 1940, they moved to Oakland, California where their twins were born. Clarence died in 2004 and Beverly lives in Carmel.
In 2008, Hollyrood-Fernwood school was renamed Beverly Cleary School. The University of Washington bestowed its highest honor for a graduate upon her. Some of her best known characters are Henry Huggins, whose literary address is Klickitat Street, Ribsy, Beezus, Ramona Quimby. Statues in Grant Park honor her characters. Her many awards include the 1984 Newbery Medal for “Dear Mr. Henshaw”. Her books have been published in 20 languages.
CHARLES GORDON FULLERTON
Charles Gordon Fullerton ’53, was one of the nation’s first NASA astronauts and retired as a colonel in 1988, after a 30-year career in the US Air Force. He was assigned activities including piloting NASA’s B-52 launch aircraft, the Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and other multi-engine and high performance aircraft. He logged more than 330 hours in space flight as an astronaut then joined the research pilot office in Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards CA.
He received engineering degrees from California Institute of Technology, was an F-86 interceptor pilot, a B-47 bomber pilot, a test pilot and a member of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory program. He joined NASA in 1969 and was on support crews for Apollo 14, 15, 16 and 17 lunar missions.
In 1977 he served one of two two-man flight crews that piloted the space shuttle prototype Enterprise and was the pilot on the 8 day Space Shuttle missions in 1982. He was commander of the Space lab 2 mission that carried 13 major scientific experiments, project pilot on an aircraft that tested a space shuttle landing gear and was project pilot for a research aircraft to develop new flight control actuators and fiber optic control systems.
As a project pilot on numerous other programs, he had more than 15,000 hours of flying time, piloted 135 types of aircraft and was one of two NASA pilots to fly a Russian built supersonic aircraft. His many awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, NASA Exceptional Service Medal, induction into the International Space Hall of Fame, and the Smithsonian Air and Space Lifetime Achievement Award.
He and his wife, Marie, located in Lancaster, California and have two children. He suffered a massive stroke in 2009 as a complication from an outpatient medical procedure.
DONALD HODEL
Donald Hodel ’53, has been on the national scene for many years as a top government official, businessman and evangelist. He was born in Portland and graduated from Harvard University.
He gained regional notice as administrator of Bonneville Power Administration. He was Undersecretary of Interior for James Watt, then served as US Secretary of Energy and as Secretary of the Interior under President Ronald Reagan.
He established the “Hodel Policy” that disused roads and paths could be considered right-of-way. Critics disrupted his effort to create vast new wilderness areas but he proposed studies on the removal of a dam in Yosemite Park, and restoration of Hetch Hetchy Valley that was blocked by a US Senator and former mayor of San Francisco.
He moved to Colorado where he worked as an energy consultant and served on various charitable and corporate boards. Following the death of their oldest son, the Hodels became evangelical Christians and speakers encouraging other families who have lost loved ones to suicide. He was president of Christian Coalition and of Focus on The Family.
Hodel more recently has been active in energy-related fields of business and with seven different industries. He and his wife live in Silverthorne, Colorado.
He gained regional notice as administrator of Bonneville Power Administration. He was Undersecretary of Interior for James Watt, then served as US Secretary of Energy and as Secretary of the Interior under President Ronald Reagan.
He established the “Hodel Policy” that disused roads and paths could be considered right-of-way. Critics disrupted his effort to create vast new wilderness areas but he proposed studies on the removal of a dam in Yosemite Park, and restoration of Hetch Hetchy Valley that was blocked by a US Senator and former mayor of San Francisco.
He moved to Colorado where he worked as an energy consultant and served on various charitable and corporate boards. Following the death of their oldest son, the Hodels became evangelical Christians and speakers encouraging other families who have lost loved ones to suicide. He was president of Christian Coalition and of Focus on The Family.
Hodel more recently has been active in energy-related fields of business and with seven different industries. He and his wife live in Silverthorne, Colorado.
Edward colton Meek
Edward Colton Meek (1891-1974) graduated from Washington High School in 1910, and from the University of Oregon in 1914. He started his teaching career at Milwaukie High School before moving to Franklin in 1916, where he was coach for two city champion track teams and the 1941 state basketball champions. He was inducted into the PIL Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987.
Meek was principal of Grant from 1943 until his retirement in 1957. He was a Royal Rosarian and active with the American Cancer Society. He and his wife, Rose, had two children, His son was a noted doctor in the Portland area.
Calm and quiet, Meek commanded respect, inspired his teaching staff as well as students who responded to his expectations of excellence and a cohesive school spirit.
Numerous athletic and academic achievements, as well as the school’s social compatability during his tenure earned national recognition for Grant as perhaps the nation’s best high school.
Meek was principal of Grant from 1943 until his retirement in 1957. He was a Royal Rosarian and active with the American Cancer Society. He and his wife, Rose, had two children, His son was a noted doctor in the Portland area.
Calm and quiet, Meek commanded respect, inspired his teaching staff as well as students who responded to his expectations of excellence and a cohesive school spirit.
Numerous athletic and academic achievements, as well as the school’s social compatability during his tenure earned national recognition for Grant as perhaps the nation’s best high school.