Springfield Public Schools Hall of Fame inducts first three members

Springfield Public Schools inducted its first three city high school graduates into its hall of fame Oct. 28. The SPS Hall of Fame was created this year to honor prominent alumni.

The 2010 Hall of Fame Inductees are Hillcrest High School class of 1960 graduate John Ashcroft, U.S. Attorney General for President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005; Springfield High School Class of 1947 graduate Walter Jacob, a retired rabbi and leader of several Jewish organizations; and Hillcrest High School class of 1972 graduate Larry D. Young, CEO for Dr Pepper Snapple Group, according to an SPS news release.

"It is rewarding to hear the amazing success stories of these graduates and to honor them as examples for our students," Superintendent Norm Ridder said in the release. "They demonstrate what can be accomplished through learning, commitment and service."

Before working as Bush's attorney general, Ashcroft served as Missouri's governor from 1985 to 1993 and was one of Missouri's U.S. senators from 1995 to 2001.

Jacob is the current senior scholar at Rodef Shalom congregation, president of Abraham Geiger College in Berlin, president of the Institute for Progressive Jewish Law and Ethics and a rabbi emeritus.

Young worked for 30 years for Pepsi, retired in 2004 and then returned to the work world as the president and CEO for Dr Pepper Snapple Group, the release stated.

The inductees were honored at a luncheon Oct. 28, which was attended by Jacob and Young and about 250 guests. Ashcroft was unable to attend due to a prior commitment, according to the release.[[In-content Ad]]