Three graduates and a retired teacher were inducted into the Moorhead High School Hall of Honor at a recognition ceremony Sept. 27 at Minnesota State University Moorhead. The 2014 inductees are James A. Garrity, Vivian “Jake” Jacobson, Mark Ladwig and Helen Wussow.

Moorhead High School Principal Dave Lawrence welcomed people to the dinner ceremony, and Cindy Fagerlie, School Board chair, shared a letter from Superintendent Lynne Kovash prior to the induction ceremony.

Moorhead High School Hall of Honor committee members were recognized for their work, and the corporate sponsors for the Hall of Honor were acknowledged for their support. Sponsors are Bell State Bank & Trust, Moorhead Public Service and Gate City Bank.

The four inductees were recognized, and plaques were presented to each honoree or representative. Identical plaques will hang at Moorhead High School.

During their remarks, the inductees or their representatives shared reflections on their experiences connected to Moorhead High School and Moorhead Area Public Schools.

Dr. James A. Garrity, a 1972 Moorhead High School graduate, talked about the importance of his family and friends as constants in his life.

Garrity, who has spent 28 years in ophthalmology at the Mayo Clinic where he is currently the Whitney and Betty MacMillan Professor of Ophthalmology, said that he is grateful for the lessons learned from his parents.

“Any success I’ve had along the way I can attribute to family and friends,” he said.

Vivian “Jake” Jacobson taught for 10 years in North Dakota and Minnesota schools before being named U.S.O. program director of the European Theater of War, staging performances during World War II. During her 31 years teaching for Moorhead Area Public Schools, Jacobson taught music and fifth grade at Park School for two years and then music at Riverside Elementary. Jacobson died on Nov. 1, 2008, at age 92.

A letter from LeClaire Jacobson, Vivian’s son, was read by Carolyn Roesler, Jacobson’s first student at Park School in 1947. LeClaire wrote about his experience as one of his mother’s student teachers. Vivian Jacobson was affiliated with the Tri-College Student Teaching Program, supervising a record 245 student teachers.

“I had witnessed first-hand during my childhood, mother at the table and piano, creative juices following, writing one of her spectacular programs or developing the following day’s lesson,” LeClaire said in his letter. “At that time, I really didn’t understand her devotion to this work ethic. However, when I had the opportunity to work with her more closely, I became aware of its importance. It was through her enthusiasm, knowledge and understanding of this medium that a genuinely strong bond was developed between her and her students.”

Vivian’s daughter Lynelle, in accepting the plaque on behalf of her mother, said she still receives cards and letters from former students who share how her mother influenced their lives.

Mark Ladwig also attributed his experiences and success to his family and friends.

Ladwig, a 1999 Moorhead High School graduate, was a competitive pairs figure skater until he retired from competing in 2013. During his skating career, Ladwig made 13 appearances at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, earned six U.S. Figure Skating Championship medals, competed at the World Championships twice, and placed 10th at the 2010 Olympic Games in pairs figure skating.

Ladwig reflected on how the programs he was part of as a student at Moorhead High had taught him problem solving and critical thinking and the importance of having those avenues for students.

Helen Wussow, a 1978 Moorhead High School graduate, has spent 22 years in academe, including 14 years working in university administration. Since 2010, Wussow has served as dean of lifelong learning and associate professor of English at Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 

“Little did I know that my educational path would lead back to Moorhead High School,” Wussow said.

Wussow credited Roland Dille, former president at Minnesota State University Moorhead, who taught her a lot, and she thanked her family, friends and colleagues for coming to celebrate with her. She also acknowledged her first-grade teacher who taught her about Japan and inspired an interest in Japanese art.

“Education is a gift we give to ourselves,” Wussow said. “Our education is with us forever, and it is truly lifelong.”

About the Hall of Honor 

The Moorhead High School Hall of Honor recognizes alumni, faculty, staff and other community members who have demonstrated notable accomplishments or provided significant contributions to their school, community or society. The nominations committee is now considering candidates for 2015. Nominations are continuously accepted for the Hall of Honor. Nomination forms are available at Moorhead High School or nominations may be submitted online at www.moorheadschools.org.