Middle Township School District Inducts 15 to Hall of Fame

The Middle Township School District recently celebrated the inaugural class of its Hall of Fame in a private induction ceremony held on the athletic field.

The 15 Hall of Fame inductees include a household name (Stedman Graham) and a judge (former New Jersey Superior Court Judge Raymond A. Batten) but most of the inductees represent those who have worked tirelessly to serve the district.

The distinguished list features Middle Township High School graduates and staff members, including teachers, coaches, a former superintendent, a board member and a custodian. “All inductees demonstrated outstanding accomplishments and have served our community in truly outstanding ways,” according to the district.

The 15 inductees were nominated by members of the community. Those recognized included:

Calvin Back – The longest-serving Board of Education member in New Jersey’s state history

Honorable Raymond A. Batten – Class of 1972. Judge Batten is a former New Jersey Superior Court Judge (1992-2002), and is currently Of Counsel at the Archer firm’s Business Litigation Department.

Bernie Blanks – President of the Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro, Inc.

Ted Bryan – Alumni, retired Middle Township High School teacher, coach, and mentor

Andrew “Doc” Dougherty – Teacher, Middle Township High School baseball and softball coach, and mentor. The school’s field is named after Dougherty, who is believed to be the only coach in Cape-Atlantic League history to win at least 100 games as both a baseball and softball coach.

Stedman Graham – Class of 1969. Renowned educator, author, businessman, and motivational speaker

Fred Grosse – Teacher and coach

Judy Jenkins – Teacher

Dr. Ted Johnson – Superintendent of Schools, 1977-1989

Gladys Lauriello – Spent three decades working in education

Richard Ludwig – Band director for the Panthers Marching Band. He's credited with putting the band on the Atlantic Coast map.

Bob Penkethman – Known as “Mr. Middle Township,” he was vice principal of Middle Township High School, and kept more students out of trouble once they came to his office.

John Roberson – Alumni, teacher, coach, and mentor

Frank Stackhouse – Exceptional senior custodian

Lea Westcott – Founding member of the MTHS Alumni Association, and beloved staff member

“We are honored to welcome these esteemed alumni, former administrators, faculty, and staff into the first class of our Middle Township School District Hall of Fame,” said Superintendent David Salvo, Ed.D.

Plaques were presented to the honorees who attended the November ceremony.

The inductees’ names will be prominently displayed on the Hall of Fame board in Middle Township High School. The list is expected to grow with more inductees each year.