Thank you to everyone who attended our Educator Emeritus and Distinguished Alumni awards ceremony on Thursday, October 23. It was an honor to celebrate these awardees with Tiger Pride.

DR. DALE BOSWORTH – Art teacher at the Amherst Central Middle School. Dr. Bosworth spent most of his 43 years teaching art at the Middle School. During this time, he also designed, constructed and painted scenery for over 30 musicals. In retirement, he’s still involved with creating scenery for both Middle School and High School musicals. He’s been designing jewelry for over 45 years in addition to painting and sculpting.

MRS. JOANNA RANSOM – 3^rd grade teacher at Smallwood Drive Elementary School. Joanna began her teaching career at Harlem Rd., but spent most of her career at Smallwood. She was part of an innovative program where each teacher taught reading and math based on students’ ability, and also a specialty subject, hers being science. In retirement, Joanna works with her husband in his rare book business and enjoys gardening at her country home, oil painting, and the company of her friends.

MR. STEVEN THOMAS – Music teacher at the Amherst Central High School. After retiring from Amherst, Steve currently teaches at Alfred University, conducts the orchestra, and offers lessons on all stringed instruments and piano.  He is a founding member, violinist, and conductor at the MostArts Festival at Alfred and first violinist of the Oakgrove String Quartet. Steve is also a pianist and director for area high school musical productions. A former student who nominated Mr. Thomas, Caryn Domzalski ’01 wrote, “he was down to earth, supportive of students, and an excellent teacher. He was easy to talk to and made orchestra a fun experience.”

MR. DAVID MAUL (POSTHUMOUSLY) – Principal of Windermere Drive Elementary School. David grew up in Buffalo, NY, and attended State University College at Buffalo to attain his teaching degree. He garnered achievements and recognition through two distinct yet overlapping careers: one in education and the other in the military. After obtaining his master’s degree, he began serving as both teacher and administrator, then rose to become the principal of Eggert Road Elementary School. He then moved to Windermere Elementary School, where he served as the senior elementary school principal until his retirement.

MS. CAROLYN RUSSELL (POSTHUMOUSLY) – Teacher’s Aide & member of the Amherst Central Alumni Chorale. Carolyn assisted with college applications in the guidance office. But she was most remembered for being an accompanist for the Amherst Central Alumni Chorale. A few years ago, alumna Karen D. Tunis-Manny ’74 wrote, “Carolyn Russell was equal parts teacher, mentor, and partner. The choir consisted of young and old with varying levels of competence, talent, and abilities. Carolyn was the great unifier, and her musical ability was a gift to those who sang in the choir. We could not have established and sustained the Alumni Chorale without her”.

REV. STEPHEN BIEGNER ‘89 – Steve is the pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (the church next to Brunner’s) and the Executive Director of the WNY Impact Foundation. Steve has developed and grown several churches across New York State, helping them reconnect with their local communities in impactful ways. He led St. Paul’s to clarify their passion in battling food insecurity through the launch of the Tiger’s Den Food Pantry and Daily Bread Food Truck. He also serves as the Chaplain of Erie County Emergency Services, covering 93 volunteer firehouses, Buffalo Niagara International Airport, and Mercy Flight.

ARCHIBALD “ARCHIE” DEAN ‘55 – Archie went through the Amherst School system K-12 with his twin sister Sylvia. He was a class officer and played basketball, baseball, and soccer. After graduating from Bowling Green State University, he was a Naval officer in the Pacific, first aboard the USS Hornet & Third Marine Division. He worked in Hong Kong for many years, sold European cars to the military, and operated a custom clothing business. While living in central Mexico, he authored 19 editions of a best-selling guidebook. Archie has arranged and organized a dozen class reunions and published a reunion book for the Class of 1955. He lives in Northern CA near his son and family.

JEREMY JACOBS & MARGARET (PEGGY) DAVIS JACOBS ‘58 – Jeremy is the Chairman of global hospitality and food service company, Delaware North Companies, its headquarters located in Buffalo, NY. In 1975, Jeremy acquired the Boston Bruins. He has held numerous leadership roles in the NHL including serving on the league’s Audit, Finance and Executive Committees and Chairman of the NHL Board of Governors, a role that he holds today. He and Peggy are two of the community’s most dedicated philanthropists, investing in our WNY community. Jeremy and Peggy made a historic donation of $30 million to UB School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and have been invaluable to the UB Council for 30 years. They also support other non-profit organizations in WNY and throughout the United States. Peggy is an accomplished photographer, and active outdoorswoman. She has published multiple books documenting her candid photographic work.

JULIE PACE ’00 – Julie is Sr. VP and Executive Editor of the Associated Press, leading global news coverage from more than 100 countries. Since she assumed the role in 2021, AP has significantly expanded its digital news offerings, been awarded three Pulitzer Prizes, and produced an award-winning documentary on the Ukraine war that won an Academy Award and a BAFTA. Before that, Julie was AP’s White House Correspondent and won the White House Correspondents’ Association Merriman Smith award in 2013 for her work explaining the Obama campaign’s complex approach to voter turnout. Julie is a graduate of Northwestern University and lives in New York.

DR. DAVID DEAN (POSTHUMOUSLY) ’48 – David was the Chief Cardiologist at the Buffalo Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center from 1962-1991. He pioneered medical innovations, received awards, held offices, educated his peers and published numerous research papers. When he retired, he was a consultant for many hospitals in the Buffalo area. He also helped the Snyder Fire Department establish the first CPR program and trained responders in Buffalo and Town of Amherst.

DOUGLAS VOLGENAU (POSTHUMOUSLY) ’55 – Douglas was a Rear Admiral in the U S Navy. He was an Honor Company Commander at the time he graduated from the Naval Academy in 1959. Douglas was selected for the nuclear submarine program and served 32 years on active duty.  After retiring from the Navy, Douglas worked another 20 years as a consultant for DOD and DOE. He’s also been a long-time supporter of the Alumni Foundation.

Video of Awards Ceremony:

Thank you to the event Sponsors!

Jim Gallery ‘69

David Dengler ‘74

Susan Fretz ‘73

Nancy Graves Manalio ‘70

Virginia (Ginny) Fretz Rusk ‘71

Michelle Maul Webb

Kathi Cirringione ‘72

Perna, Dengler, Roberts Funeral Home

Tony Martin Awards