Three inductees to join FHS Wall of Honor on Oct. 18

FAIRFIELD – The Fairfield High School Wall of Honor will add three names to its wall recognizing excellence among Trojan graduates.

The three honorees for 2024 are Suzan Bates Kessel (Class of 1971), Brad J. Rose (Class of 1984) and Paul D. Wohlers (Class of 1970). They will be officially inducted onto the wall during a public assembly at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 18 at the high school. That same day at 6:30 p.m., the trio will be honored once again at a reception at the Fairfield Golf & Country Club.

There are 40 graduates of FHS who are on its Wall of Honor, which consists of a series of plaques in the FHS Commons. The first group of honorees was inducted in 2004, and the tradition occurred every year for the first eight years, and then has been about once every other year since then.

Wall of Honor committee members Pat Wheeler and Joneane Parker, both past recipients, said the idea for a wall of honor was hatched by former FHS Principal Ralph Messerli.

“He had a vision that people who had gone on with their careers, and done things that really impacted others, could be inspiring to students,” Parker said. “It doesn’t matter if you went to a small high school, you can still do great things if you wish.”

Wheeler said the Wall of Honor is meant to recognize not just those who have had successful careers but also those who have given back to their community.

“We want to know how you have influenced other people,” Wheeler said.

Wheeler and Parker said a special thanks needs to go to Libertyville Savings Bank, whose employees prepare breakfast for the honorees the morning of the ceremony.

This year’s honorees and some of their noteworthy accomplishments are:

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SUZAN BATES KESSEL

Kessel has received numerous awards for her involvement in promoting the arts and through her civic engagement. She received the Cultural Alliance Legacy Award in 2015, a Parsons College Honorary Degree in 2008, was named Fairfield Citizen of the Year in 1997, and received the BPW Women of Achievement Award in 1994.

Kessel co-founded the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, and was its board president from 2003-2007. She’s been volunteer director of the Fairfield Art Association since 1975, a member of Fairfield Beautification Commission, and managed Fairfield Public Access Television from 1994 to 2006.

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BRAD ROSE

Rose was a physical education instructor in the Fairfield school district from 1989-1994, where he also helped coach football, basketball, track and baseball. He was a business education instructor at Ottumwa’s alternative high school from 1994-2000, and then Ankeny schools’ at-risk coordinator from 2000-2003.

After serving as Simpson’s co-head baseball coach from 2000-2003, Rose returned to Fairfield to be its activities director from 2003-2008. Since 2008, he has been activities director at West Des Moines schools.

In 2016, Rose was named State Athletic Director of the Year, and was named Iowa High School Coach of the Year 1997-1998. He also organized Jump Rose for Heart in Fairfield.

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PAUL WOHLERS

Wohlers graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1974 and then obtained his law degree from the University of Washington. He joined the U.S. State Department in 1984 and served as a Foreign Service Officer for 33 years.

His diplomatic postings as a political officer sent him to work at U.S. embassies in Romania, Russia, Cyprus and Macedonia. While in the Senior Foreign Service, he achieved the rank of Minister Counselor (two-star military equivalent).

In addition to his work in the State Department, Wohlers is on the board of Romanian Christian Enterprises, which provides group homes for Romanian orphans and children with learning disabilities. Since 2021, he has been a part-time teacher of international relations in Alexandria, Virginia.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com