2010 UHS/PCHS Academic Hall of Fame
May 30, 2010
Ray Klinginsmith, Stephen Rockwood, Jane Godfrey and Joel Pratt are the members of the inaugural class of the Unionville High School and Putnam County R-1 High School Academic Hall of Fame and were inducted April 7, 2010, at 9:00 A.M. in the middle school auditorium.
Ray Klinginsmith, class of 1955, was the first to be honored. Ray graduated with 98 other seniors, which is surely the biggest graduating class ever.
Ray took part in the Science Club and the yearbook staff and was president of the Senior Class. He earned a Varsity letter in football his junior and senior years, which put him in the lettermen-only “U” Club, whose members all wore letter jackets.
His senior year, the football team played Milan for Homecoming, beating them 26-6 and finishing the season with five wins, two losses and one tie of 0 to 0 with Brookfield.
Toward the end of the school year, the juniors and seniors had a banquet; its theme was “My Blue Heaven.”
Upon graduating and leaving this “blue heaven,” Ray attended college at the University of Missouri, Columbia; and upon graduating with a bachelor’s in business administration, Ray went to Capetown, South Africa, as a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial scholar. (Local Rotarian Mr. Dell Rockwood sponsored Ray.) Ray then entered MU’s School of Law in Columbia, studying for three years to earn his law degree or Juris Doctor.
Mr. Klinginsmith went on to work as an attorney for over forty years. For 22 years, he was the General Counsel and Professor of Business Administration at Truman State University and for 5 years was also Dean of Administration there.
In 1983, he was awarded the Thomas D. Cochran Community Service Award by the Young Lawyers Section of The Missouri Bar. He has also served as Director for the Macon Atlanta State Bank and was one of the initial trustees in 1989 for the Missouri Family Trust. He has been President of the Chariton Valley Association for Handicapped Citizens since its organization in 1982.
Mr. Klinginsmith has also served as Adair County Commissioner and has worked with and for handicapped people, the Boy Scouts, his church, Rotary, and this school’s alumni group.
Stephen Rockwood, who was the next inductee, graduated from high school in 1961 with 91 other seniors. According to the yearbook, Steve was a 145 lb. quarterback, who along with his team won the school’s first-ever conference championship. A sportswriter for the The St. Joseph Gazette named the team 10th in the state. Steve also played on the varsity basketball and golf teams, earning varsity letters in all. .
Besides sports, Steve played the trombone and was one of the few band members who went to contest, receiving a 2 for his solo performance. He was president of the 49-member band, which participated in Pancake Day, in the Kirksville and Columbia Band Days, and in the Apple Blossom Festival in St. Joseph.
Steve, who was voted “Most Talented” senior boy, was also active in Science Club, which had guest speakers such as local dentist Dr. Stewart Pratt and local veterinary Dr. Fon Owings.
Steve pursued his interest in science by going to Grinnell College. Upon earning a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics there, he went on to the California Institute of Technology and earned a master’s in physics and then a Ph.D. in physics. Nine years of intensely demanding study after his high school graduation earned him the title “Dr. Rockwood.”
Dr. Rockwood began his career as an officer in the Air Force, supporting laser weapons research and anti-ballistic missile programs. His efforts earned him the Air Force’s Scientific Achievement Award.
After his honorable discharge as a captain, he joined the Los Alamos National Laboratory where he led research in laser development, isotope separation, fusion energy, computational sciences and nuclear science. His last position there was as the Associate Director for Defense Research Programs with responsibility for over $350 million in program activity and 2,500 research staff members.
Dr. Rockwood continues to be active as a board member to several companies and as a member of numerous advisory committees, involving industry, academia and government agencies.
The next honoree was Jane Godfrey, who was one of 92 graduates in the class of 1969. Jane grew up in rural Powersville with her sisters and brother, Bill Godfrey. Her adventurous spirit was evident early on when she and Bill would explore the countryside near their home.
While in high school, Jane was involved with the U-ettes, who danced at games, the Junior Play, Student Council and the almost all-girl Pep Club. To prepare for college, Jane also participated in Upward Bound with its summer stays at the college in Kirksville.
Had Jane wanted to be involved in sports or FFA, she could not because neither was an option. Also, girls could not wear slacks or jeans. Actually, it probably didn’t occur to most girls that they were left out or that expectations were different for women. It’s just the way it was.
No girls around Powersville had cars back then and just a few boys did. Therefore, it was close to impossible for Jane to take part in after-school activities or have a job. However, when Jane went to college, she held a number of jobs that she balanced with her schoolwork, which included a nurse’s aide, a teaching assistant, and a sewing machine operator at a shoe factory.
Upon graduating from Northeast Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in education, Jane quickly discovered that a career as a teacher was not for her and, therefore, continued to study, earning a master’s degree in social science. From there, the ever-adventurous Jane went on to hold a number of jobs, including one in Thailand with the Peace Corps. When she returned, she took off for California with 500 borrowed dollars. There she eventually entered Southwestern School of Law in Los Angeles, California
After earning a Juris Doctor, she worked in civil litigation for other lawyers’ firms before opening her own criminal law practice in Los Angeles. She eventually began working her way up the judicial ladder, from representing parents and children in Dependency Court to her current position as Commissioner of the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Making the most of her talents, Jane Godfrey has come a long way from that young girl, who had to wear a dress to school, could not be a member of FFA, and could not play a sport. Through her continued perseverance that led to attaining her academic goals, Ms. Godfrey thoroughly prepared herself for realizing her professional dreams.
The final inductee of the day was Joel Pratt, who was one of 76 seniors graduating in 1970. Joel played football and golf, earning varsity letters in both and thereby earning membership to the U-Club, which was still all boys. Joel was also a member of the National Honor Society and served as its president his senior year.
Girls finally had a basketball team for the first time in many years. However, FFA was still all boys and Future Homemakers of America was all girls.
The boys had to have their hair cut shorter than their collars and their faces free of beards and mustaches. A tattoo or piercing would have been unheard of. Girls were not allowed to wear slacks and no one could wear shorts.
The 1970 senior year culminated with various activities, including the senior skit that included all seniors, the senior trip to a lake in southern Missouri, and the prom.
Upon graduation, Joel headed for the University of Missouri in Columbia to begin his pre-denistry studies. After three years there, he entered the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Dentistry. After seven years of intense study after high school, Joel earned a Doctorate in Dental Surgery and became “Dr. Pratt.”
We are fortunate that Dr. Pratt returned to Unionville to join his father’s dentistry practice, offering quality dental care for a reasonable cost to his patients and at times donating his services to the needy.
Upon his return to Unionville, Dr. Pratt immediately became an active member of the community, serving in participant and leadership positions with the Historical Society, the Putnam County Foundation, the Putnam County Industrial Development Board, Rotary, Rotary International, and the United Methodist Church. This past December, he participated in Rotary’s Norman Rockwell window display. Dr. Pratt has also supported Putnam County’s young people by regularly purchasing animals and premiums at the annual 4H and FFA livestock auction.
Dr. Pratt’s involvement and influence extend beyond the boundaries of Putnam County to the American Dental Association, serving several times as Delegate, and to the Missouri Dental Association, serving in all capacities, including President.
High school students , high school faculty, and friends and relatives of the inductees were in attendance. Afterward, Dr. Pratt and Dr. Rockwood met with science classes to discuss academic and professional pathways that were available to them and continue to be available to today's students.
Information about making a nomination to next year's UHS/PCHS Academic Hall of Fame and who may qualify can be found under the "Alumni" button of this site's home page.
