2011 Hall of Fame Inductee

Architect.

Unfortunately, little is known about Thomas Williamson’s student life when he attended THS in 1907. After Topeka High he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in architecture. Returning to Topeka, Williamson began work in the state architect’s office in 1911 and then opened his own practice the following year. By the 1920’s he had risen to the ranks as one of the city’s leading architects with numerous important commissions including the new First Methodist Church (1922), Mulvane Art Museum (1924), and the Jayhawk Hotel and Theatre (1926). His firm came to specialize in public and school buildings; among them is Topeka Roosevelt, Boswell, and Crane Jr. High Schools and both Monroe and Sumner elementary schools of Brown v. Board Supreme Court decision. His crowning achievement, of course, was Topeka High School in 1930-31. He died in the 1970’s.

2011 Hall of Fame Inductee

Distinguished Trojan.

Don Pollom was the quintessential BMOC (Big Man On Campus) at Topeka High; King of the All-School Party, letterman in football and track, All-State halfback in 1938, National Honor Society, etc. On top of that, he set a national high school track and field record in the 200-yard low hurdles. He continued his winning ways at KU and in 1940 was both a running back and punter for the Jayhawks. After his junior year, Pollom enlisted in the Naval Air Corps (1942) earning his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. Assigned to a carrier in the Pacific, he took off in his F4U Corsair on February 3, 1944, but was not heard from again. Listed as “missing in action,” he presumably crashed at sea – a Trojan who had been destined for a great future.

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 Hall of Fame Inductee

Educator.

One of three African-American graduates out of a class of 92 at T.H.S., the school annual noted about her: “description – small; occupation – studying; favorite expression – ‘do tell.’ ” She went on to Washburn winning honors in math and German. After college she began teaching in Topeka black schools Buchanan, Monroe, and Washington; principal at the latter. Linda Brown Smith remembered her as “a brilliant woman. A staunch, old – time teacher who really made you apply yourself. She explained a subject well and then stuck with you until she made sure you understood it thoroughly.” Miss Williams earned a Master’s degree from the University of Kansas and wrote four books on black history in Topeka schools; she passed away in 1986 at age 92. The Williams Science and Fine Arts Magnet School in Topeka was named in her memory. Photo courtesy of Kansas Historical Society

2009 Hall of Fame Inductee

Social Service Executive.

All-American; At T.H.S. her list of activities is very long: Homecoming queen; Head A-team cheerleader; Madrigals; play lead (Liza Doolittle) in “Pygmalion”; etc. After graduating from KU, she taught at Avondale East School but is best remembered as “Miss Nancy” on a local TV station’s children’s show “Romper Room” (1967-71). Mrs. Perry subsequently hosted noon time programs for WIBW-TV and was its public information director. In 1984 she was appointed President and CEO of the United Way of Topeka which she served until 2008. She also serves on various community boards including Stormont-Vail Hospital and Capitol Federal Foundation and is a past senior warden for Grace Cathedral. Nancy Jasperson married high school sweetheart Ken Perry; they have two children and four grandchildren.

2009 Hall of Fame Inductee

Scientist. Biology and Chemistry.

“Jerry” Hart’s T.H.S. resume noted participation in sophomore year representative council and serving as a proctor; his scientific resume lists 228 publications in books and journals in the area of Glycobiology. He obtained his B.S. in biology and chemistry from Washburn and his doctorate in developmental biology from Kansas State University. Currently Dr. Hart is the DeLamar Professor and Director of Biological Chemistry at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His department “discovered a new type of protein modification…” or new form of protein glycosylation. This study has implications for research in diabetes, Alzheimers and cancer. He has lectured across the United States, in Britain and Europe. Dr. Hart has earned numerous awards including the 2006 Karl Meyer Award and currently is the President of the International Glycoonjugate Organization (IGO).

2008 Hall of Fame Inductee

Veterinarian and animal researcher and nutritionist. (dec.)