Scotch Plains Fanwood HS Hall of Fame inductions – May 9
Submitted by Marie Leppert and Michael Loberfeld
Whether you are an SPFHS alumni, student, faculty member, or a local community member, please join us on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the Scotch Plains- Fanwood High School auditorium as thirteen alumni are inducted into the SPFHS Hall of Fame. The ceremony will be emceed by former New Jersey Governor Donald DiFrancesco, himself a member of the SPFHS Hall of Fame. The evening will provide a taste of the diversity of SPFHS Alumni who are leaders in almost every area of society imaginable, and who serve as wonderful role models for our young people.
All members of the public are encouraged to attend on May 9, as pioneers and leaders in so many areas of NJ, the U.S., and the world will come to life! Inductees will be invited to speak and shower their wisdom, experience, calling, encouragement, and gratitude onto all in attendance.
The following SPFHS alumni will be inducted May 9:
Barbara Adams Austin ’61 (deceased):
In her youth, she established the Fanwood Nature Preserve. Went on to become a professional artist, gardener, and writer. Commissioned to do city murals, she produced extensive exhibitions, and presented all over the South as a Master Gardener. Presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who in 2018.
George Falkowski ’78:
Four-time Emmy Award-winner in professional sports and news TV. His career includes News 12 New Jersey and the Boston Red Sox and Bruins network.
Daniel Catullo III ’90:
Multiple Emmy Award-winning director and producer. He has worked with hundreds of major artists and celebrities, including Alicia Keys and Dave Matthews Band.
Peter Kuran ’74:
Began career on Star Wars at 19. Became animation supervisor on George Lucas’ “The Empire Strikes Back”. Owns VCE, a leader of visual imaging in motion pictures, working on over 300 films. Won an Academy Award for developing a process to restore color film.
Michael Richard ’65:
Pioneering medical innovator (now retired). Involved in the development of PureWick, an external catheter, saving many hundreds of thousands of patients the pain and suffering of urinary tract infections. PureWick continues improving lives worldwide.
Nate Jones 2000:
NFL player for eight years, including in Super Bowl XLVI. Current NFL referee. College Academic All- American, Rhodes Scholar nominee.
Gene Schiller ’50
Scotch Plains- Fanwood Athletic director 1983-1999. Scotch Plains township Director of Recreation 1957-1966. Also played four sports and was class president while an SPFHS student. Coached football at SPFHS.
Hon. Zahid N. Quraishi ’93:
First Muslim- American article III judge in United States history. First Asian- American federal judge in New Jersey. U.S. Army combat veteran. Most importantly, proud father, and grateful son.
Richard Wetherald ’54 (deceased):
Forty-four years of service in Princeton, NJ as a research associate in the field of Greenhouse Warming. Fought the White House’s attempt to suppress his findings on Global Warming. Honored as “Meteorologist Professional of 2007”.
Erroll Southers ’74:
Internationally recognized expert on counter terrorism, public safety, homeland security, and infrastructure protection. Director of the Safe Communities Institute and Homegrown Violent Extremism Studies at the University of South Carolina. Professor at USC Price School of Public Policy.
Mike Marino ’81:
Actor and comedian performing in major comedy clubs, and event centers in the world. He has hosted award ceremonies, and acted in commercials and soap operas. Inducted into the NJ Comedy Hall of Fame, and won the USO Bob Hope Comedy Award for his performances for the military.
Mauro Checchio ’42 (deceased):
A former Mayor of Scotch Plains. He served as Deputy of Commerce under Governor Cahill. As the first State Energy Czar, he helped organize the New Jersey Open Space Trust and the NJ Forestry Management Association Team. He was also instrumental in founding a Kean University campus in China.
Rich Feinberg ’79:
A long and dedicated career in the television industry including numerous sports Emmy awards. He has worked for ESPN, and elsewhere. He leads a team of award-winning producers, directors, videographers, editors, and graphic designers.
All are invited to view information on all forty-eight members of the SPFHS Hall of Fame to-date. You are also strongly encouraged to personally nominate SPFHS alumni who are not already in the Hall of Fame, for their future consideration. To do so, please visit the SPFHS Alumni Association’s website: spfk12.org/alumni
