2007 Hall of Fame Inductees

Dave George, '79 - 2007 Hall of Fame
	*Dave George, '79* - Dave George has worked since 1995 as a recruiter, or "headhunter." His role is to find and identify sought-after professional people and executives and persuade them to join other companies, often key competitors. In 1998, Dave created the OACS Alumni Newsletter which is currently received by over 900 alumni, OACS staff, and supporters. The newsletter has brought hundreds of long-lost friends together and has provided a link for alumni with their "hometown" roots. Dave has also been a key player in the creation of the OACS Hall of Fame as a means of providing real-life inspirational role models for current OACS students. Between 1992 and 2007, Dave and his family have raised more than $70,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. After seeing his career plans evolve from his original aspiration to be a doctor, to working as a software engineer to being in sales and recruiting, Dave is a big believer in "never say never" and he plans to use his selection to the OACS Hall of Fame as a "teachable moment" for any students from OACS or elsewhere. The newsletter, the alumni events Dave has promoted, his constant promotion of OACS loyalty and OACS pride, has added value to the lives of so many. Dave's ideas, effort, and enthusiasm have made it all happen. Graduates for generations to come will benefit from the projects that Dave started.

Dave George, '79 - 2007 Hall of Fame

Dave George, '79 - Dave George has worked since 1995 as a recruiter, or "headhunter." His role is to find and identify sought-after professional people and executives and persuade them to join other companies, often key competitors.

In 1998, Dave created the OACS Alumni Newsletter which is currently received by over 900 alumni, OACS staff, and supporters. The newsletter has brought hundreds of long-lost friends together and has provided a link for alumni with their "hometown" roots. Dave has also been a key player in the creation of the OACS Hall of Fame as a means of providing real-life inspirational role models for current OACS students.

Between 1992 and 2007, Dave and his family have raised more than $70,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. After seeing his career plans evolve from his original aspiration to be a doctor, to working as a software engineer to being in sales and recruiting, Dave is a big believer in "never say never" and he plans to use his selection to the OACS Hall of Fame as a "teachable moment" for any students from OACS or elsewhere. The newsletter, the alumni events Dave has promoted, his constant promotion of OACS loyalty and OACS pride, has added value to the lives of so many. Dave's ideas, effort, and enthusiasm have made it all happen. Graduates for generations to come will benefit from the projects that Dave started.

Wayne Phelps, '34 - 2007 Hall of Fame
	*Wayne Phelps, '34* - The night the Phelps family was contacted to inform them Wayne had been selected for induction into the Hall of Fame his wife stated he was still out plowing. Not bad for someone who had turned 90 years old just months earlier, and he has no plans to retire as long as he remains in good health. Wayne did not attend a formal university but learned his trade, crafts, and expertise in farming from his father and older brother who did attend college at Cornell University. He stayed at home to work on the farm with his father, learning by doing. Over the years, the Phelps farm has grown from 257 acres to over 800 acres, and it is currently operated by Wayne and his two sons. Wayne has kept up with changes in agriculture by being active in farm organizations which keep him up to date in his operations. In 1996 Wayne was recognized as Farmer of the Year. As an active member of local, state, and national Grange, Wayne represented Grange and World Affairs by going to Pakistan for 6 weeks in 1979. Wayne is also a member of Farm Bureau and Farm Extension Committee. In 1983 Wayne was named Shepherd of the Year, and continues to be an active member of the Indian Falls United Methodist Church. Wayne's community involvement includes serving as a member of the Town of Alabama Board, Justice of the Peace from 1952-1965, and Supervisor of the Town of Alabama from 1966-1973.

Wayne Phelps, '34 - 2007 Hall of Fame

Wayne Phelps, '34 - The night the Phelps family was contacted to inform them Wayne had been selected for induction into the Hall of Fame his wife stated he was still out plowing. Not bad for someone who had turned 90 years old just months earlier, and he has no plans to retire as long as he remains in good health.

Wayne did not attend a formal university but learned his trade, crafts, and expertise in farming from his father and older brother who did attend college at Cornell University. He stayed at home to work on the farm with his father, learning by doing. Over the years, the Phelps farm has grown from 257 acres to over 800 acres, and it is currently operated by Wayne and his two sons. Wayne has kept up with changes in agriculture by being active in farm organizations which keep him up to date in his operations.

In 1996 Wayne was recognized as Farmer of the Year. As an active member of local, state, and national Grange, Wayne represented Grange and World Affairs by going to Pakistan for 6 weeks in 1979. Wayne is also a member of Farm Bureau and Farm Extension Committee. In 1983 Wayne was named Shepherd of the Year, and continues to be an active member of the Indian Falls United Methodist Church. Wayne's community involvement includes serving as a member of the Town of Alabama Board, Justice of the Peace from 1952-1965, and Supervisor of the Town of Alabama from 1966-1973.

Charles Riggio, '45 - 2007 Hall of Fame
	*Charles Riggio, MD, '45* - Dr. Riggio spent five decades serving the small-town Western and Central New York medical community through his work with three local hospitals. At Wyoming County Community Hospital he was Chief of Radiology for 35 years (1967-2002) and served as the hospital's medical director from 1999-2004. Dr. Riggio was also on staffs of Noyes Hospital in Dansville and Lakeside Memorial Hospital in Brockport. Other professional employment has included serving as a radiologist with Wyoming Valley Radiologists, PC, and as a radiologist at several New York State Correctional Facilities in Western NY. In addition to his medical career, Dr. Riggio has made numerous generous gifts to individuals and institutions in his community, donating a building to the Alleghany Rehab Facility for Drug/Alcohol abuse, donating ultrasound and mammography equipment to the Wyoming County Hospital, and providing financial help for local individuals and families for needs ranging from basic food and medical care, to tuition assistance. In 1993 Dr. Riggio was recognized for dedicated and distinguished services by St. Francis Geriatric & Healthcare Services.

Charles Riggio, '45 - 2007 Hall of Fame

Charles Riggio, MD, '45 - Dr. Riggio spent five decades serving the small-town Western and Central New York medical community through his work with three local hospitals. At Wyoming County Community Hospital he was Chief of Radiology for 35 years (1967-2002) and served as the hospital's medical director from 1999-2004. Dr. Riggio was also on staffs of Noyes Hospital in Dansville and Lakeside Memorial Hospital in Brockport. Other professional employment has included serving as a radiologist with Wyoming Valley Radiologists, PC, and as a radiologist at several New York State Correctional Facilities in Western NY.

In addition to his medical career, Dr. Riggio has made numerous generous gifts to individuals and institutions in his community, donating a building to the Alleghany Rehab Facility for Drug/Alcohol abuse, donating ultrasound and mammography equipment to the Wyoming County Hospital, and providing financial help for local individuals and families for needs ranging from basic food and medical care, to tuition assistance. In 1993 Dr. Riggio was recognized for dedicated and distinguished services by St. Francis Geriatric & Healthcare Services.

Jeris Smith Boyce, '55 - 2007 Hall of Fame
	*Jeris Smith Boyce, '55* - Jeris Smith Boyce has been a lifelong civic and church volunteer, outstanding mother and grandmother, and supporter of her husband. She grew up in a close knit family, graduated from OACS and Bryant & Stratton Business Institute, married her high school sweetheart on Sept. 22, 1956, and expected to raise her family in Oakfield just as five generations had done before her. As her husband's career began to grow, it became necessary for Jeris and her family to pull up roots and move first to Florida, and then to Lake Forest, Illinois. Each community where she resided is a better place today because of the concern and generosity of Jeris Smith Boyce. She has been an active supporter, both financially and physically, of United Methodist Churches in Oakfield, Coral Springs, FL, and Libertyville, IL. Over the years Jeris has served on numerous committees and boards that have aided the less fortunate. As a Hospice volunteer, she assisted many families whose loved ones suffered terminal illnesses. Jeris feels blessed by the Grace of God to be able to help and encourage others. Her husband Don's successful business career has enabled him to provide the funds for Jeris' philanthropic endeavors. Jeris does not seek the limelight, preferring instead to be active in the background. We will never know how many individuals have benefited financially, spiritually, and emotionally from the generosity of Jeris Smith Boyce. For all her quiet accomplishments though, the one about which she is happiest to proudly talk about is her love of Oakfield - as a child there, as a parent there, and as someone who moved away decades ago yet will always call it home.

Jeris Smith Boyce, '55 - 2007 Hall of Fame

Jeris Smith Boyce, '55 - Jeris Smith Boyce has been a lifelong civic and church volunteer, outstanding mother and grandmother, and supporter of her husband. She grew up in a close knit family, graduated from OACS and Bryant & Stratton Business Institute, married her high school sweetheart on Sept. 22, 1956, and expected to raise her family in Oakfield just as five generations had done before her.

As her husband's career began to grow, it became necessary for Jeris and her family to pull up roots and move first to Florida, and then to Lake Forest, Illinois. Each community where she resided is a better place today because of the concern and generosity of Jeris Smith Boyce.

She has been an active supporter, both financially and physically, of United Methodist Churches in Oakfield, Coral Springs, FL, and Libertyville, IL. Over the years Jeris has served on numerous committees and boards that have aided the less fortunate. As a Hospice volunteer, she assisted many families whose loved ones suffered terminal illnesses. Jeris feels blessed by the Grace of God to be able to help and encourage others.

Her husband Don's successful business career has enabled him to provide the funds for Jeris' philanthropic endeavors. Jeris does not seek the limelight, preferring instead to be active in the background. We will never know how many individuals have benefited financially, spiritually, and emotionally from the generosity of Jeris Smith Boyce. For all her quiet accomplishments though, the one about which she is happiest to proudly talk about is her love of Oakfield - as a child there, as a parent there, and as someone who moved away decades ago yet will always call it home.