Lancaster City Schools Inducts Five Alumni to Hall of Fame

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       October 8, 2025
   
LANCASTER, Ohio – Lancaster City Schools (LCS) is pleased to announce that it recently inducted five new alumni into the LCS Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. The alumni members were honored at a ceremony in September. The 2025 inductees include James M. Wagonseller, class of 1939; Ralph E. Smith, class of 1964; Paul D. Schullery, class of 1966; David Huggins, class of 1966 and Brad Hutchinson, class of 1991.
 
“These outstanding alumni exemplify what we hope to achieve with every Lancaster High School student through our Portrait of a Graduate model,” said LCS Superintendent Nathan Hale. “On behalf of the LCS community, I congratulate them all on this honor and thank them for being superior role models.”
 
David Huggins – Class of 1966
David is a graduate of Indiana University with degrees in music, speech and theater. His musical journey began at a young age when he attended The Columbus Boychoir School in Princeton, New Jersey. He performed with Leonard Bernstein at the opening of the Lincoln Center in New York City and traveled extensively throughout the U.S. performing with Boychoir. 
 
David was a member of the Opera Company of Boston and the Providence Opera Theater, and he has performed at the Wolf Trap Opera Festival and Beijing Opera Festival. His favorite genre is musical theater, where he has played many leading roles. He is now an investor in Broadway productions, most currently The Prom, which was nominated for a Tony Award.
 
David was a member of The Singing Hoosiers at Indiana University and traveled to the Far East under the auspices of the USO. He has performed with Bob Hope, Tony Bennett, the Association, the Fifth Dimension, Vikki Carr and Petula Clark.
 
David has recorded for international artists and has taught voice in Boston and New York City.
 
 
Paul D. Schullery – Class of 1966
In 1972, Paul became a Yellowstone Park Ranger, beginning a long career as a historian, author, and advocate for understanding the natural world. A graduate of Wittenberg University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1970, and Ohio University, where he earned a master’s degree in 1977, Paul is the author of dozens of books about nature, conservation, and outdoor sport. In 1993, he was the founding editor of Yellowstone Science, the research journal of Yellowstone National Park. Paul wrote and narrated the award-winning PBS film Yellowstone: America’s Sacred Wilderness (2000) and was an advisor and on-screen interviewee for Ken Burns’ film The National Parks (2009). An advisor for numerous organizations and institutions, Paul was scholar-in-residence at the Montana State University Library, 2009-2020.
 
Among many other awards, Paul is the recipient of an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Montana State University (1997); an honorary Doctorate of Literature from Ohio University (2013); the Wallace Stegner Award from the University of Colorado Center of the American West (1998); and the U.S. Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee’s Communications Leadership Award for “extraordinary work in grizzly bear recovery” (2008).
 
James M. Wagonseller – Class of 1939 [Posthumous Inductee]
For decades, Jim was a prominent figure in Lancaster as a realtor, businessman and member of the Lancaster Area Chamber of Commerce and Lancaster Kiwanis Club. But his service began long before that. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps, the precursor to the U.S. Air Force, and saved the lives of his flight crew during a bombing raid over Romania targeting Hitler’s oil supply. When the bombs could not be released, he climbed out of the plane midair to cut the leather straps that held the ordinance, allowing the crew to land safely. After the war, Jim was active in the American Legion at the local, state and district levels before being elected national commander in 1974. He fought tirelessly for veterans’ rights.
 
Ralph E. Smith – Class of 1964
Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Air Force shortly after graduating from Lancaster High School, serving as a medic in the intensive care unit in San Antonio, Texas. In 1969, he moved to Sarasota, Florida, where he attended the Ringling School of Art and graduated in 1972. Ralph began his artistic career as a staff artist for the Sarasota Herald Tribune, refining weather maps and photos. A chance opportunity to accompany a reporter interviewing cartoonist Dik Browne sparked a lifelong friendship and introduced Ralph to the world of syndicated comics. He went on to create and syndicate two comic strips: Captain Vincible and Through Thick and Thin, the latter chronicling the humorous insights of two older women walking the beach. Ralph has worked from home for many years, with his drawing board just steps from his kitchen - and a loyal dog nearby - to keep him company. With a career built on talent, humor, and heart, Ralph Smith has brought smiles to readers across the country.
 
Brad Hutchinson– Class of 1991
Brad is the founder of Company Wrench Ltd., one of the most prominent equipment dealerships in the nation. With over 275 employees in nine states, Company Wrench proudly represents leading manufacturers in the construction, demolition and recycling industries. Brad’s ingenuity led Company Wrench to secure 12 patents, including several advancements related to dust suppression technology.
 
The Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce named Company Wrench the Large Business of the Year in 2023. Company Wrench’s success has allowed Brad to continuously invest time and resources to improve Downtown Lancaster. Brad’s real estate company saved the historic Mithoff hotel from demolition and transformed the city’s original feed mill into a popular event center. 
 
Brad credits the vocational trades programs at Lancaster High School for providing him with the skills and knowledge to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. His path to success proves that hard work and determination can be just as valuable as a college degree. For this reason, he established an expense-free apprenticeship program to encourage high school students to explore careers in heavy equipment.
 
 
Paul Schullery - Class of 1966
David Huggins - Class of 1966
(Linda Goodman accepting on behalf of David Huggins)
Ralph E. Smith - Class of 1964
Brad Hutchinson - Class of 1991
James Wagonseller - Class of 1939
(Anne North accepting on behalf of the late James Wagonseller)
 
   
For information about Lancaster City Schools, visit www.lancaster.k12.oh.us.

About Lancaster City Schools
Lancaster City Schools is a public school district in Lancaster, Ohio, serving approximately over 6,000 students across 10 schools, including preschools, elementary, middle, and high schools. The district is committed to providing a high-quality academic program that meets the needs of all learners at all levels. Guided by the mission statement, “The Place to Be for Learning, Caring, Succeeding,” Lancaster City Schools emphasizes social-emotional development, effective communication, and lifelong learning. The district's "Portrait of a Graduate" program prepares students for success beyond high school by fostering professional and personal growth.
 
MEDIA CONTACT: Temple Montanez, temple@krilecommunications.com, 614-915-5439