BDUSD 2018 Wall of Fame Award Recipients Announced

by Jim Dittmann
0 comment

The Beaver Dam Unified School District is pleased to announce the 2018 Wall of Fame Award Recipients are Gary Macheel, Outstanding Alumni, and Friends of Education are Tom and Judy Heffron and Alpha Xi Chapter of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. They will be honored at the Wall of Fame Award program on Sunday, June 2. The Outstanding Alumni Award is given annually to a graduate of BDUSD in recognition of the honoree’s exceptional accomplishments and the Friend of Education award recognizes individuals and an organization who have given distinguished service to the district and its students.

Outstanding Alumni

Mr. Gary Macheel is a 1970 graduate of Beaver Dam High School and graduated from UW-Oshkosh with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree. He went on to earn a Master of Fine Art degree from Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles, CA. Gary had a successful 30-year career in Sound Design and Editing in Hollywood. During his career, Gary received 35 Emmy nominations and won 8 awards. In addition, his achievements in sound editing were awarded with 11 Golden Reel Awards. Gary was awarded for his work on many television series and films, including The Hunley, Tuskegee Airmen, Heart of Darkness, Son of the Morning Star, Into the West, Tom Clancy’s – OP Center, Rough Riders, Fire Next Time, Lonesome Dove, and Ruby Ridge.

Mr. Macheel also served as an Adjunct Professor in the Film/Sound Department at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. He shared his passion for his work with students helping them learn more of an appreciation for sound and showing them that anything is possible. He credits the support and encouragement from his parents and teachers for building the confidence in him to follow his passion and his dreams.

Friends of Education

Tom and Judy Heffron exemplify commitment to serving the children of the Beaver Dam Unified School District and the community through their support of various child-centered activities and programs. They have sponsored opportunities for young students in the district to experience instruments first-hand and have the Opera for the Young perform with students at the elementary schools. The Heffrons funded large hands-on outdoor musical instruments for children to enjoy at a city park and have been instrumental in establishing a community children’s chorus. Tom and Judy also work with the Beaver Dam Area Orchestra to provide all children who attend the annual Christmas concert with a gift and they sponsor the free Holiday Santa event at the Heffron White House for all children to attend. Their generosity also extends to ensuring the safety of children with the funds they provided to purchase new signs for crossing guards. Tom and Judy also provide for families in need through their foundation, the Heffron Foundation.

Alpha Xi Chapter of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International has been serving children in the Beaver Dam community for 50 years. The organization’s mission is founded in the belief to encourage reading from an early age. They support projects and activities that promote literacy, including Books for Babies, Story Book Bags distributed to daycares, and books for the Dodge County Toy Bank. The organization also sponsor’s an annual competition that provides students with the opportunity to submit a book they have written. In addition to literacy, Alpha Xi Chapter of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International also provides scholarship funds to young women who are pursuing a degree in teaching.

You may also like