2010 THS Distinguished Staff
History, Dean of Girls
Born and growing up in Wabaunsee co., Miss Pringle received her graduate degree from KU and Master’s in Speech from Teacher’s College, Columbian University. After a short spell with Alma H.S., she began teaching at T.H.S. in 1928 with classes in history and public speaking. In the early 1940s Miss Pringle was appointed Dean of Girls and scholarship chairman, retiring in 1963. She passed away in 1990.
2010 THS Distinguished Staff
Guidance Counselor
A Wamego native, Mr. Coder attended Kansas State and Highland Community College graduating with an AB degree from Washburn University in 1958 and Master’s from KU in 1965. Briefly teaching in Pottawatomie Co.; he taught social studies at T.H.S. (1958-61) served as Guidance Counselor (1961-74), and was the Topeka Public Schools Director of Guidance Services (1947-86). He retired in 1986.
2010 THS Distinguished Staff
Math
Miss Calvert grew up in Muscotah, Kansas, and subsequently majored in science and math at Washburn College. Initially she taught at El Dorado and Atchison high school; however, a World War I teacher shortage brought her to Topeka High School in 1917. Like other contemporary T.H.S. faculty members, Miss Calvert spent a year at Columbian University’s teachers’ College, New York. She retired in 1948. Deceased.
2010 Hall of Fame Inductee
Journalist.
Mr. Williams’ Topeka High “resume” proved his destiny: a first place in a spelling contest, followed by three years in journalism, stint as World editor, and Quill & Scroll program chairmanship plus an article on student government written for Student Life, a national magazine. After attending KU. He was a USAAF navigator in WWII with 40 missions. From 1946 to 1956, Mr. Williams was an Omaha World-Herald reporter then a Time and Newsweek correspondent, 1956-60, and finally 1960-72 editor of the Omaha Sun newspapers for which he and his reporting team earned a Pulitzer Prize investigating Boys Town. He next became an Asst. Professor of
Journalism at Ohio State University. Mr. Williams passed away after a sudden illness in October, 1976, survived by his widow and four children.
2010 Hall of Fame Inductee
Actress.
Her Topeka High activities foretold Ms. Houdyshell’s future. President of the Gertrude Wheeler Troop No. 210, she starred in her senior year as Miss Moffat in Emlyn Williams’ play “The Corn is Green” and as Veta Louise Simmons in “Harvey” along with being a member of the Madrigals. Graduating from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan and after performing in numerous Midwestern theatres, in 1980 she moved to New York and continued in regional and off Broadway theatre along with some television and film work. In 2006 Ms. Houdyshell made her Broadway debut in the play “Well” earning her rave reviews in the New York papers plus a Tony Award nomination; she has an Obie Award to her credit as well as other acting laurels.
2010 Hall of Fame Inductee
Artisan and business owner.
A letterman in football and wrestling, Mr. Degginger played center on the Varsity football squad and took 3rd place in his division at the state wrestling championship. Degginger’s Foundry was established in the 1920s, and three generations in the family have managed it with Mr. Degginger overseeing it since 1985. The Foundry is one of a few such companies in the nation providing a full range of historical restoration services. Recent restoration work includes New York’s Grand Central Station and the Reliance Bldg. in Chicago. The firm has had commissions from Las Vegas resorts (e.g. the Bellagio and Caesar’s Palace) to Kansas City’s Negro Baseball Hall of Fame to a private villa in Saudi Arabia. Degginger’s have restored a Hoehner Auditorium chandelier and the T.H.S. cafeteria chandeliers.
2010 Hall of Fame Inductee
Geologist and businessman.
Upon graduating from T.H.S., Mr. Barrett attended Kansas State two years, returning home after his father suffered an illness. Soon afterwards he entered the Army during the Korean Conflict. Under the G.I. Bill he received his BS and MS degrees in geology from K-State. Immediately after school he worked for several natural gas and petroleum companies. In 1981 he formed Barrett Energy Co. (later Barrett Resources Corp.), named No. 1 for wealth creation, 1990-2000, by the Wall Street Journal and Oil and Gas Investor Magazine. Selling it in 2001 for $2.8 billion, in 2002 he formed the Bill Barrett Corp. (on the NYSE) with gas projects in the western U.S. Mr. Williams and wife Louise have seven children, some in the business.
2009 Distinguished Staff Award
Biology
A Topeka native, born in 1906, Ruth Phillips went to school in Junction City, KS. She received a Bachelor’s degree from Kansas State and later her Master’s from the University of Colorado. Miss Phillips first taught science at Hope, KS, and then biology and physiology at Topeka High from 1936 until retirement in 1971. She also served as librarian for her church, Topeka’s First Presbyterian Church. Miss Phillips passed away in 1994 at age 88.
2009 Distinguished Staff Award
Boys Physical Education, Head Basketball Coach.
Born in Baldwin City, KS, Willie Nicklin graduated from Horton, H.S. and from KU in 1956. He taught at Arnold, KS, and Oxford, KS, before coming to Topeka’s Landon Jr. High in 1963. From 1965 to 1994 he taught and coached at Topeka High. “Willie” took over as head basketball coach in 1970 compiling a record of 501 wins (including seasons with other schools) along with a record 12 I-70 League championships, plus two State championships, 1973 and 1986. The court in the grand, old main gym is named in his honor: the Wilfred “Willie” Nicklin Court.
2009 Distinguished Staff Award
Biology
Born in 1898 at Richmond, KS, Miss Hutchison attended the college of Emporia and Emporia Teachers before receiving her B.S. degree from KU and later an M.S from the University of Chicago. She taught at Salina, Hutchinson, and the Butler Co. Jr. College. For 24 years until her retirement in 1965, Miss Hutchison taught biology and botany at T.H.S. She was active in her professional organizations and the American Association of University Women. Miss Hutchison passed away at age 80 in 1979
