November 11, 2021–The newest class of the Shaker Schools Alumni Hall of Fame includes nine Shaker graduates who have made significant contributions to the fields of law, ethics, global conservation, corporate philanthropy, the performing arts, social justice, equity and advocacy.
The 2021 inductees into the Shaker Schools Alumni Hall of Fame are:
- Robert (Bob) Barber, Class of 1967, is a higher education leader and political activist who helped free a U.S.citizen wrongfully imprisoned in Argentina in the 1970s.
- Hilary Beard, Class of 1980, is an award-winning writer, public speaker, trainer, coach and faith-walker focused on writing and educating around issues of racial equity and bias.
- The Honorable Carolyn Gold, Class of 1974, is an elected Judge to the San Francisco Superior Court whose career in housing rights advocacy culminated in running the Right to Civil Counsel program for tenants being evicted in San Francisco.
- Mark Davies Griffin, Class of 1981, is the Inspector General and Chief Ethics Officer for Cuyahoga County, who works to defend voting rights and battle public corruption.
- Ayesha Bell Hardaway, Class of 1993, is a legal scholar, analyst and professor of law who champions issues of social justice and police reform.
- Andrea Johnson, Class of 1994, is a conservationist, climate activist and tropical forest expert who works to prevent deforestation and secure the land rights of indigenous peoples.
- Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, Class of 1988, is a renowned preacher, activist and author who speaks out on the issues of mass incarceration, environmental justice and economic inequality.
- Cecilia H. Render, Class of 1979, is a leader in corporate philanthropy who serves as Executive Director of the Nordson Corporation Foundation, supporting educational opportunities and advancement.
- Thomas Young, Class of 1964, is a Grammy and Clio award winning lyric opera tenor who has performed leading roles with world-renowned opera companies and on Broadway.
The Shaker Schools Foundation Alumni Committee selected the accomplished graduates from a large pool of nominations gathered from the community at large. To be considered, alumni must be distinguished in their field of endeavor, make significant contributions to the community, and serve as positive role models to current students.
The nine inductees join the 308 graduates who have been inducted in the Shaker Schools Alumni Hall of Fame since it was established in 1986, representing excellence and achievement in all walks of life, including business, medicine, law, education, the fine and performing arts, athletics, government, and public service, among other pursuits.
On Saturday, May 21, 2022 the nine will be honored at a dinner and induction ceremony at Shaker Heights Country Club, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The celebration is open to the public and tickets will be available for purchase at shakerschoolsfoundation.org/alumni. The inductees will address students at Shaker Heights High School in a special assembly on Monday, May 23, 2022.
The Shaker Heights City School District has been a beacon of educational excellence for more than a century. One of only eight PreK-12 Districts in North America to offer the International Baccalaureate Program at all grade levels, Shaker Schools' holistic, high-quality education prepares students for college, career, and life as caring global citizens.
The Shaker Schools Foundation was one of the first public schools foundations in the nation when it was formed in 1981. The Foundation supports all Shaker students by cultivating community resources to advance equitable access and enhance opportunities in and out of the classroom.