MRPA Hall of Fame to Honor Eight Inductees in the Class of 2009

 The MRPA Hall of Fame provides recognition for professionals and special individuals who have made outstanding, unique, lasting, and extraordinary contributions though recreation and park services in Michigan. To view more information about this year's inductees, or if you would like to attend the ceremony scheduled for October 8, 2009, please click here.

Chase Hammond, Muskegon Chase Hammond took a community desperately in need of recreational facilities and led it to a position of eminince in the realm of leisure activity. He came to Muskegon in 1945 and during his tenure there as recreation superintendent, Hammond developed a system of parks, playgrounds, waterfront installations, recreational programs and activities for young and old alike. Chase Hammond was a highly respected professional known for his belief that recreation programming and park services are vital to a community, contributing immeasurably to the quality of life for residents.
Roger Kowalski, Troy Over his illustrious career, Roger Kowalski contriubuted to the Parks and Recreation departments in Lansing, St. Johns and Ferndale before serving more than 26 years as the Director of Parks and Recreation in Troy. He built the department from a staff of seven to thirty and increased the parks system from three parks in 1970 to more than 900 acres in 1997. Kowalski was the driving force behind the establishment of a community center, golf course, nature center and aquatic center. Roger Kowalski led with firmness, integrity, fiscal responsibility and progressivenesss. His leadership and direction are the reasons the residents of Troy enjoy a comprehensive parks and recreation system today.
Charles "Chuck" Lewis, Detriot Chuck Lewis was a gifted parks and recreation professional and an influential professor for countless students. Lewis began his career as a Junior Recreation Instructor for the City of Detroit. He would eventually be named the department Superintendent, and would be responsible for the development of more tha 150 programs such as summer camps, senior sports and after-school activities. During his time as a professor at Wayne State University, Lewis imparted to each student the fundamental influence that recreation leaders could have in their community, and they impact they could make in people's lives. Lewis additionally promoted the profession in a variety of creative venues, hosted radio and television shows and airing commercials. Charles Lewis is remembered for his love of the professiona and his understanding of its contributions to the quality of life within a community.
Betty Lloyd, Detroit During the 1950's, Betty Lloyd was the catalyst that led to the City of Detroit having one of the best recreation departments in the country. She travelled to college campuses recruiting recent graduates who demonstrated leadership and upheld a sound recreation philosophy. She conducted weekly training sessions for staff that further developed leadership skills and increased knowledge of programs and activities. Lloyd was a dedicated professional who contributed to the field for 37 years. Through her dedication to community service, a variety of other non-profit community organizations benefitted as well. Betty Lloyd was the consummate recreation professional. She set an example that countless professionals looked up to and strove to be like.
Olga Madar, Detroit Olga Madar achieved several firsts for women in a career that spanned 55 years. In 1941 Madar traded her physical education position for a job at the Willow Run bomber plant. After joining the UAW, Madar began organizing its first community recreation programs. The success of the programs led Madar to be named the Director of Recreation, Social Services and Women's Activities by the UAW Local 50, and would be later named the Director of the International Union's Recreation Department. She was the first woman to be seated on the UAW International Executive Board, first as a Member-at-large and later as Vice-President. Madar was active with countless civic organizations and served on the Detroit Recreation Commission. Olga Madar worked tirelessly on issues of concern for women, seniors and other community groups. She fought for conservation projects, as well as the availability of leisure services for people of any ethnicity and economic level.
Curt Shaneour, The Shane Group Curt Shaneour began his career as a banker, but would later become and innovative leader in the design of safe and distinctive playground equipment. He worked six years for Game Time, Inc. before becoming part owner in the Jennings Sales Organization. He established Quality Industries, Inc. in 1974 before forming The Shane Group, which comprises subsidiaries Site and Park Menities, Athletic & Recreation Products and Qualite, Inc. Shaneour has been very generous in supporting the future of the profession, instituting multiple scholarships for undergraduates, and consistently supports the efforts of MRPA with a variety of generous contributions. Shanour has taken on civic responsibiliites as well, serving as the Mayor of Hillsdale, a Trustee for Hillsdale College, a founding Board Member of the Hillsdale Community Foundation and serving with distinction on the NRPA Board of Trustees. Curt Shaneour has been a 'rock' for the park and recreation movement. He is widely recognized as being innovative, dependable and a man of integrity.
Susan Wedley, Royal Oak Susan Wedley used her innovative and creative skills to establish a variety of recreation programs throughout her career, many of which were adopted by other communities. She began her Parks and Recreation career while still in high school, working part time for the City of Lansing. She worked one year in Ferndale before moving on to the City of Royal Oak, where she spent 31 years, and was named Superintendent in 1978.
Margaret Whitehead, Lansing Margaret Whitehead recognized the importance for women and girls to participate in a variety of recreation activities.  In addition to initiating several new activities for women and girls, Margaret established the first senior centers in the City of Lansing.  She traveled throughout Michigan assisting staff in other cities to organize senior citizen programs and establish senior centers in their communities.  During her 25-year career, she mentored many budding park and recreation professionals.  She was a taskmaster with a large heart.  She liked things to be done “right”.  Fourteen-hour days were common for Margaret – planning programs during regular business hours, and then attending them in the evening to ensure that they came off without a hitch.