Bud & Dorothy Page LHS Hall of Fame

Colonel Michael Lynch, Class of 1968: Humanitarian Service 

Colonel Michael Lynch has been selected for the Hall of Fame in recognition of his service to his community and nation, as attested to by over four decades of commitment to the United States Department of Defense and the communities surrounding the areas where he has lived. 

Lynch's career of service began when he was a college student at Oregon College of Education (now Western Oregon University), where he was active in student government at the local and state level. At the same time he supported his community as a volunteer fireman for three years. 

After graduation from OCE, he began a 30-year career in the Air Force, marked with ever-increasing positions of responsibility. He served 12 years in the Pentagon, which included the Presidential Commission on Women in Combat and U.S. European Command Liaison to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was the key interface between the Joint Chiefs and other decision-makers during the first 180 days after the 9/11 attack, including planning and operational implementation for Operation Enduring Freedom. 

Immediately upon retiring from the Air Force, Col. Lynch was selected as the Chief of Staff for the Department of Defense Education Activity Office (DoDEA), the military's worldwide K-12 school system. It is the 12th largest school district in the United States, with 80,000 students and 170 schools in 7 states, 2 territories, and 11 foreign countries, plus another 3,200 students attending international schools in foreign countries. His command experience and knowledge of regulation enabled Lynch to consolidate the military's 13 school districts into 8, improve efficiencies and the quality of education, and cut costs. 

Mike's understanding of problems, insight into organization, and ability to motivate people are common themes of praise; the other is service to community, such as volunteering with the Providence emergency department and serving on the Northwest Brain Cancer Walk board. 

Angelita Surmon, Class of 1968: Fine Arts 

Angelita Surmon has been selected for induction into the Hall of Fame for her extensive achievements as a professional artist. After graduation for LUHS, Surmon attended Oregon State University where she earned both Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. 

In her 38 year career as a professional artist, Surmon has worked in numerous media. For the past two decades she's focused most of her work on kiln-formed glass and painting - one of her commissioned paintings can be seen at the Lebanon Public Library above the fireplace. 

Some of Surmon's art is commissioned, while other works are included in private and corporate collections throughout the United States. Her works are on display in the AT&T headquarters in New York City, the Americana Hotel in San Francisco, the Claremont Club Hotel in Oakland, the Bonneville Power Administration headquarters in Portland, and the Continental Bank in Chicago. 

One of her recent commissions is for the University of Nebraska Medical School. The university opened competition to artists from all over the world to create works of art for a new building on the medical school campus. Surmon was one of eight artists who were invited to present their concepts in person to the selection committee. Her very large (5' x 13.5') piece inspired by the Fontenelle Forest near Omaha was selected and will be installed in the new building this year. 

In addition to creating works of art, Angelita Surmon also devotes her time and talent to encouraging other artists. She's described as "strongly supporting" her fellow professionals as an artist-member of the Waterstone Gallery in Portland. 

Mike Rex, Class of 1972: Athletics 

Mike Rex is one of the best all-around athletes to graduate from Lebanon High School. He was a star player in three sports (football, basketball, and baseball) and was named All-District and All-State in both football and baseball. 

Rex was intensely recruited by colleges and chose to continue his education and athletic career at Linfield College, where he would have the opportunity to play both football and baseball. While at Linfield, he participated in seven championship teams three Northwest Conference championships in football (going all the way to the NAIA semifinals in '74) and four in baseball--making major contributions to all of those victories. 

Mike Rex's many collegiate athletic honors began with his football teammates voting him Rookie of the Year as a freshman. While at Linfield, he was named to All-District and All-Northwest teams in both football and baseball for multiple years. His college career culminated with selection to the first team NAIA All-American baseball team as shortstop, as well as Linfield's Scholar Athlete his senior year. He also set school records for bases stolen and runs scored. 

Following graduation from Linfield in 1976, Rex was drafted by the San Francisco Giants and played professional baseball for seven years at the A, AA, and AAA levels, with one year on the expanded major league roster. He was chosen all-star shortstop of the California League his second year, and while playing second base for the AAA Phoenix Giants, he batted .323 and led the Pacific Coast League in double plays. 

After retirement from professional baseball, Mike Rex returned to Linfield to earn a master's degree in Education. He put that degree to work, first teaching PE and health and then as Dean of Students at Patton Middle School in McMinnville. In 2001, Mike Rex was inducted into the Linfield College Athletics Hall of Fame. 

Eric Castle, Class of 1988: Athletics

Eric Castle, class of 1988, is one of the best all-around athletes to ever graduate from Lebanon High School.

As a student at LHS, Eric received multiple All-League awards in three sports: football, basketball, and track. He still holds school records for basketball (most rebounds in a single game) and track (100 meter dash and 300 meter intermediate hurdles). “Despite being the most gifted athlete of his time at Lebanon, he was very grounded and understood the value teamwork and loyalty in friendship,” writes one of his coaches.

After graduation, he went on to a stellar football career at the University of Oregon, where he played free safety and led the team in tackling. As a junior he earned 1st All-Conference honors at Safety, and as a senior (while battling mono) he earned Honorable Mention as a Safety. He was also honored as College Football All-American in 1991.

One sports journalist, in naming Castle to his list of the best Duck defensive backs of all time, called him “one of the most intimidating corners in Ducks’ history.” And according to then Oregon head football coach Rich Brooks, “To this day, Eric is in the top 5 percent of the student athletes that I have ever coached.”

Eric was a 6th round NFL draft pick by the San Diego Charger, where he played from 1993-96, including playing on the Chargers’ Super Bowl XXIX team. His Super Bowl gold football is in the LHS trophy case.

Following his professional football days, Eric has had a successful business career, but he has also dedicated himself to supporting and inspiring young people through coaching, public speaking, volunteering, and financial support.

Dr. Darrel Kauffman, Class of 1957:  Medicine & Science / Athletics

Dr. Richard Alley said of his long-time friend and colleague, Dr. Darrel Kauffman, “As a father, athlete, physician, and member of the community, he was a great example of what life is all about.” After his years as a high school and college athlete, Dr. Kauffman went on to become a dentist, oral surgeon, physician, and orthopedic surgeon who gave generously of his time and talent.

As a high school student Darrel Kauffman excelled at both academics and athletics. He played football and wrestled, placing 3rd at the state championships his senior year. He then went to Oregon State University, where he won the Pacific Coast Conference wrestling championship his senior year, as well as earning 4th place at the National Wrestling Freestyle Championships.

After graduation from OSU, Darrel served as a police officer until being critically injured in the line of duty. When he recovered, he enrolled in dental school at the University of Oregon Dental School, graduating 2nd in his class. He earned numerous honors evaluations during his residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Washington. He then decided to go to medical school, eventually becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon.

He practiced orthopedic surgery in Los Gatos, where he was named top physician by San Jose Business Magazine. He also practiced in Corvallis and Lebanon. During all of these years, he volunteered and served as team doctor to area wrestling and football teams.

Dr. Kauffman was recognized this year by the Oregon chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as an Outstanding American for his exceptional work in two medical fields. He’s only the 10th person to receive this honor in the 24-year history of the organization.

Leonard Kauffman, Class of 1961: Athletics

Leonard Kauffman, class of 1961, was a great high school athlete who went on to become an even greater college athlete.

As a high school student, he earned all-league honors in football, but wrestling was where he really excelled. He won state championship his senior year, helping lead the Warriors to a third place team finish.

Following graduation, he enrolled at Oregon State University where he excelled at both academics (he was a member of Blue Key, a national honorary for senior men, and ROTC Scabbard & Blade, a military honor society), as well as wrestling. He was a two-time NCAA All-American, and two-time National AAU Freestyle Champion and Outstanding Wrestler. He was selected first alternate to the US Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Team in 1964, and was a member of the US Freestyle Wrestling Team in 1966, placing 4th in the World Championships.

Kauffman still holds records set during his college days. His .949 college winning percentage still stands third in Oregon State University history, and he earned the title “pinningest college wrestler in history,” with 84% of his matches ending with a “Kauffman fall.” That NCAA record has not been challenged since he set it 54 years ago.

After graduation from OSU, he served as an Army helicopter pilot (including a tour in Vietnam in 1968), after which he served in the Oregon National Guard until retiring as a Colonel in 1992. Following his active duty service, he was an assistant wrestling coach at OSU, and then head coach at Portland State University, before embarking on a career as pilot for American Airlines.

Linda Lenox, Class of 1964: Business/Professional

In a male-dominated profession, where change is rapid and youth is an asset, Linda Lenox, class of 1964, broke barriers and continues to lead the development of new technologies.

Linda didn’t set out to trail blaze when she graduated from Oregon College of Education (now Western Oregon University) with a degree in elementary education and began her career as a teacher. However, in 1980 she happened to see a help-wanted ad for a Systems Analyst paying $35,000 – she didn’t know what a Systems Analyst did, but that was a lot of money to an elementary school teacher and single parent trying to provide a good life for her family.

Curiosity about that ad led Lenox to enroll in Chemeketa Community College’s computer science program and leaving teaching for a career in IT (information technology) where she would advance to positions of leadership and innovation.

Beginning as a coder in the early ‘80’s and working her way up through leadership and management levels in both the private and public sector, including the banking industry, software development, and state governments. Linda continues to lead teams in the development of new computer applications and systems for two states, including the accounting system currently used by the State of Oregon and those handy electronic signs on the freeways in the Portland area that tell you the current travel time to your destination.

Impressive as her resume is, even more important is her continuing legacy of perseverance and life-long learning. While others may look at possibilities say, “I wish…,” Linda took the initiative and said, “I can and I will.”

Nathan Glancy, Class of 1991: Humanitarian Service

Nathan Glancy is a missionary who has been recognized by both the United Nations and the Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance as a leader in humanitarian disaster relief, particularly for his work with the Ebola crisis in Africa. He also designed and ran an emergency field hospital following an earthquake in Ecuador and led relief work in aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in Philippines. In recognition for his leadership, he was invited to participate in World Health Organization and United Nations meetings and planning sessions on disaster and refugee relief.

Jeffrey Blaine Goold, Class of 1971: Lifetime Achievement

Before environmental science was a recognized field or college major, Jeffrey Goold pioneered the field of environmental protection, focusing on mitigating industrial ground and water pollution. He worked as a change agent for the petroleum and other industries to develop methods to reverse a century of pollution, mitigating ground and water pollution “to increase water quality for generations to come.” He was later recognized for his leadership in developing the Paradise Lake Conservation Area in Snohomish County, Washington. “Goold Outlook” is named in his honor.

Mike R. Jones, Class of 1969: Athletics

Mike Jones is considered by many to be the all-time top collegiate wrestling coach in Canada (and one of the top in North America).  After graduating from LHS, where he was state champion in all styles (27-0-0) his senior year, he went on to be two-time NCAA runner-up and US Greco-Roman and Freestyle National Champion at OSU. 

He then embarked on his coaching career, turning the Simon Fraser University wrestling program into a dynasty that churned out more individual champions than any other comparable program in North America,” including 18 Olympians, 13 World and Olympic medalists, and 8 NAIA team titles.

Capt. Allan R. Walters, Class of 1986: Science and Medicine (Computer Science)

Capt. Allan Walters is a US Navy Engineering Duty Officer specializing in computer science, including designing both computer hardware and software. He played a key role in developing computer systems and software for military applications, earning praise for his ability to integrate computer science with Navy protocols, as well as his exceptional attention to detail. He has overseen computer system installations in more than 7,600 ships with responsibility for a budget of $750 million. 

Sarah Jolley Cariaga, Class of 1995: Business/Professional

Jolley Cariaga is Vice President of Nike.

Heather Crockett-Washington Miller, Class of 1996: Medicine/Science

Crocket-Miller was named one the 40 Under 40 best dentists in the nation, in addition to a previous career as an NFL cheerleader and serving as an advocate for STEM education.

Andy McClouskey, Class of 1977: Athletics

McClouskey was a stellar high school and college athlete who still holds numerous school records and is a college basketball coach at Pacific University.

Sergeant First Class Scot R. Noss, Class of 1996: Humanitarian/Service

Noss is a highly decorated Army Ranger who served eight deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan until suffering a traumatic brain injury in a helicopter crash.

Lisa Beavens Schroeder, Class of 1985: Arts/Entertainment

Beavens Schroeder is a highly successful author of children and young adult books, and the recipient of many literary awards.

Matthew Daniels, Class of 1996: Scholar / Researcher

• Master of Arts ('05) & Doctorate ('08) in Physics – Wisconsin
• Master of Science in Medical Physics ('06) – Wisconsin
• Currently Pursuing Master of Business Administration at Rollins

John Langford, Class of 1993: Research Scientist

• Bachelor’s Degree in Physics & Computer Science ('97) – C.I.T.
• Masters & Doctorate in Computer Science ('02) – Carnegie Mellon
• Senior Research Scientist at Microsoft Research in New York

Dr. Carl Morris, Class of 1984: Physician

• Bachelor or Arts in Human Biology ('88) – Stanford
• Doctor of Medicine ('94) – Harvard
• Program Director of Family Medicine at GroupHealth in WA

Pat McQuistan, Class of 2001 : NFL Athlete

• Played collegiate level football at Weber State
• Drafted in 7th round by Dallas Cowboys (211th overall) in 2006
• Played for the Cowboys, Dolphins, Saints, and Cardinals

Paul McQuistan, Class of 2001: NFL Athlete

• Played collegiate level football at Weber State
• Drafted in 3rd round by Oakland Raiders (69th overall) in 2006
• Played for the Raiders, Jaguars, Browns, and Seahawks

Michael Orwick, Class of 1984: Artist

• Renowned artist known for mastery of light and mood
• Developed the “inspired expressionism” style
• Commissioned artist of the 2009 Lebanon Library Paintings

Gladys Stone Wright, Class of 1943: Musician / Conductor

• Band Director for 36+ years at the high school level
• Known for tours throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe
• First woman elected to American Bandmasters Association