Grads of Distinction
Each year William Horlick High School identifies a few of its alumni to be designated GRADUATES OF DISTINCTION in recognition of their career accomplishments and their community contributions. This honor also pays tribute to the dedicated Horlick Faculty who inspired and educated them, and it provides goals and incentives to the current generation of Horlick graduates.
WALTER (SKIPPER) KNAPP -- INDUCTED IN 2018
Following military service in the United States Navy, Skipper studied History at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Class of 1970. He, his wife Fran, and sons Geoff and Brian moved around the country with his jobs, finally settling in Plantation FL. For 20 years, Skipper worked for grocery businesses such as Procter & Gamble and RJR Foods. His next 20 years were in the financial industry with Citibank and the Bank of America. After a forty-year career, Skipper and Fran retired in Roswell, GA. In retirement, he focused on his passions, which included Native American studies, teaching, writing, and horses. He spent three decades researching Native American studies and served as the Vice-President of the Georgia Trail of Tears Association, as well as instructed Native-American Culture Courses at the University of North Georgia. Skipper became a freelance writer and, as a pilot, wrote numerous articles covering aviation-related topics. In addition, he published three novels encompassing his knowledge of the Old West and Native Americans. He was a member of Western Writers of America and Booth Writers Guild. In 2012, he began volunteer work at his grandson’s school, High Meadows School & Camp. There, he was a substitute teacher, taught after-school courses on horseback riding, taught on various aspects of Native American studies, worked with the ponies and riders during school and camp and initiated the rescue and rehabilitation of a horse for the school.
Skipper was passionate about supporting those that needed an advocate, whether that be animals, children, or minority groups, such as Indigenous Americans. Skipper passed away on September 28, 2020, at the age of 76, from complications related to a brain aneurysm.
His Favorite Quote: “Only when the last tree is cut and the last river poisoned will we realize we can't eat money. “ Cree philosophy
SHARON GOLDBERG NATHAN, PH.D, M.P.H --INDUCTED IN 2017
While a student at Horlick High, Sharon (Shari) was active in Writers Inc., Stimulus, The Herald, Honor Society, Tri-Lingua, Student Council, Thespian Society and was involved in two plays. After high school, Shari obtained a BS in History from Wellesley College in 1965. She graduated from MIT in political science in 1972, obtained her PhD from NYU in Clinical Psychology in 1978, obtained a MPH in Epidemiology in 1981 from Columbia University and did Post-doctoral fellowships in clinical psychology, psychiatric epidemiology, psychoanalytic psychotherapy and human sexuality.
As a licensed psychologist and certified sex therapist, she treats individuals and couples who are experiencing problems with their sexuality. This includes a wide range of problems. She also teaches and supervise the work of more junior sex therapists. Shari reported that "I was fortunate enough to get into the new field of sex therapy, if not on the ground floor, then at least by the mezzanine. Because the field was so new, my modest contributions played a bigger role than they might have in a more developed area." I think Shari is being 'somewhat' modest.
Shari was one of the first sex therapists to take the idea of sex addiction seriously and is proud that her lectures and articles were responsible for converting many of her colleagues. Also, Shari and her colleague Sandra Leiblum were the first to discover and describe a never-before recognized sexual disorder: Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder. Once the condition was recognized, researchers and clinicians were able to study its causes and develop treatment for it.
Shari has been active in many of the professional organizations in her field: Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR), American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and the Society for the Advancement of Secxual Health (SAH). The community organization that she has been most involved in is the "Women for Afghan Women', which aims to improve the lives of women in Afghanistan and of the Afghan immigrants in the US.
Shari continues to work and live in New York City, New York.
While a student at Horlick High, Sharon (Shari) was active in Writers Inc., Stimulus, The Herald, Honor Society, Tri-Lingua, Student Council, Thespian Society and was involved in two plays. After high school, Shari obtained a BS in History from Wellesley College in 1965. She graduated from MIT in political science in 1972, obtained her PhD from NYU in Clinical Psychology in 1978, obtained a MPH in Epidemiology in 1981 from Columbia University and did Post-doctoral fellowships in clinical psychology, psychiatric epidemiology, psychoanalytic psychotherapy and human sexuality.
As a licensed psychologist and certified sex therapist, she treats individuals and couples who are experiencing problems with their sexuality. This includes a wide range of problems. She also teaches and supervise the work of more junior sex therapists. Shari reported that "I was fortunate enough to get into the new field of sex therapy, if not on the ground floor, then at least by the mezzanine. Because the field was so new, my modest contributions played a bigger role than they might have in a more developed area." I think Shari is being 'somewhat' modest.
Shari was one of the first sex therapists to take the idea of sex addiction seriously and is proud that her lectures and articles were responsible for converting many of her colleagues. Also, Shari and her colleague Sandra Leiblum were the first to discover and describe a never-before recognized sexual disorder: Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder. Once the condition was recognized, researchers and clinicians were able to study its causes and develop treatment for it.
Shari has been active in many of the professional organizations in her field: Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR), American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and the Society for the Advancement of Secxual Health (SAH). The community organization that she has been most involved in is the "Women for Afghan Women', which aims to improve the lives of women in Afghanistan and of the Afghan immigrants in the US.
Shari continues to work and live in New York City, New York.
GLENN WATTS - INDUCTED IN 2016
While a student at Horlick High School, Glenn served on Student Council, was a member of Writers, Inc, Stimulus, Co-Rec, German Club and Tri Lingua. He was a photographer and an Editor-in-Chief of the yearbook Polaris. After high school, Glenn attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a B.S. in Political Science and a M.A. in Public Policy and Administration.
Glenn's career in higher education, finance and management has involved top leadership positions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the State University of New York at Stony Brook and Antioch University. He was the Director of Budget, Planning and Analysis at UW-Madison for 17 years; Vice President of Finance and Management at the State University of New York at Stony brook for seven years; and Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer of Antioch University for 10 years. He has been recognized with Emeritus status by both Antioch University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Prior to entering higher education, Glenn held several positions within the Wisconsin State Budget Office, including Chief of the Education Section. In his professional positions, he had broad management and policy responsibilities for the full range of administrative and finance functions, including accounting, treasury, endowment management, purchasing, risk management, academic and nonacademic personnel, fringe benefits administration, administrative computing and network services, legal affairs, financial aid and student loans, physical plant police and environmental safety, bond issuance and new construction.
Glenn has seved on various public boards and commissions in Wisconsin, New York and Ohio, including those with responsibilities at the local, state and regional levels. These bodies were concerned with topics including economic development, nursing home services, community and local school finance, public radio and television, and K-24 educational technology. Throughout his career he has been an active supporter of education at all levels as the single best way to improve the lives of individuals and advance society as a whole. He currently serves as Secretary of the WYSO Public Radio Resource Board and is volunteer house manager for Chamber Music Yellow Springs.
Glen and wife, Jane, live in Yellow Springs, OH. They have two adult children. He and Jane have traveled extensively, visiting all 50 states, more than 45 foreign countries, and all seven continents.
While a student at Horlick High School, Glenn served on Student Council, was a member of Writers, Inc, Stimulus, Co-Rec, German Club and Tri Lingua. He was a photographer and an Editor-in-Chief of the yearbook Polaris. After high school, Glenn attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a B.S. in Political Science and a M.A. in Public Policy and Administration.
Glenn's career in higher education, finance and management has involved top leadership positions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the State University of New York at Stony Brook and Antioch University. He was the Director of Budget, Planning and Analysis at UW-Madison for 17 years; Vice President of Finance and Management at the State University of New York at Stony brook for seven years; and Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer of Antioch University for 10 years. He has been recognized with Emeritus status by both Antioch University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Prior to entering higher education, Glenn held several positions within the Wisconsin State Budget Office, including Chief of the Education Section. In his professional positions, he had broad management and policy responsibilities for the full range of administrative and finance functions, including accounting, treasury, endowment management, purchasing, risk management, academic and nonacademic personnel, fringe benefits administration, administrative computing and network services, legal affairs, financial aid and student loans, physical plant police and environmental safety, bond issuance and new construction.
Glenn has seved on various public boards and commissions in Wisconsin, New York and Ohio, including those with responsibilities at the local, state and regional levels. These bodies were concerned with topics including economic development, nursing home services, community and local school finance, public radio and television, and K-24 educational technology. Throughout his career he has been an active supporter of education at all levels as the single best way to improve the lives of individuals and advance society as a whole. He currently serves as Secretary of the WYSO Public Radio Resource Board and is volunteer house manager for Chamber Music Yellow Springs.
Glen and wife, Jane, live in Yellow Springs, OH. They have two adult children. He and Jane have traveled extensively, visiting all 50 states, more than 45 foreign countries, and all seven continents.
DR. EUGENE BANUCCI -- INDUCTED IN 2008: While a student at WM Horlick High, Gene Banucci played Varsity Baseball and was in the Orchestra playing first chair violin Even though his high school days are long gone, his fellow Rebel classmates still describe him as being extremely intelligent, funny, generous and humble! Gene Banucci is now Dr. Gene Banucci and we are proud to share his accomplishments with you.
Dr. Banucci is a 1961 graduate of Horlick High School, and also received his Bachelor's degree from Beloit College and his PH.D. in Chemistry from Wayne State University. He is presently Chairman of ATMI, Inc, which he co-founded in 1986 and led as CEO for 19 years until 2005. ATMI became a public company (Nasdaq: ATMI) in 1993. It now has annual revenues approaching $400 million/year, a market capitalization in excess of $1 Billion and nearly 1000 employees. Its primary products are materials used in the manufacture of semi-conductor chips. As ATMI's products are used in every chip manufacturing plant in the world, every computer, phone, display, car, etc. contains ATMI's materials.
Prior to starting ATMI, Gene served as Vice President for American Cyanamid's Chemical Research Division, where he directed more than 800 scientists and engineers in new product research and development for this $1.4 billion unit. Previously, he was with General Electric Company for over 10 years in a variety of management positions at the Corporate R&D Center and GE Plastics.
Dr. Banucci is a 1961 graduate of Horlick High School, and also received his Bachelor's degree from Beloit College and his PH.D. in Chemistry from Wayne State University. He is presently Chairman of ATMI, Inc, which he co-founded in 1986 and led as CEO for 19 years until 2005. ATMI became a public company (Nasdaq: ATMI) in 1993. It now has annual revenues approaching $400 million/year, a market capitalization in excess of $1 Billion and nearly 1000 employees. Its primary products are materials used in the manufacture of semi-conductor chips. As ATMI's products are used in every chip manufacturing plant in the world, every computer, phone, display, car, etc. contains ATMI's materials.
Prior to starting ATMI, Gene served as Vice President for American Cyanamid's Chemical Research Division, where he directed more than 800 scientists and engineers in new product research and development for this $1.4 billion unit. Previously, he was with General Electric Company for over 10 years in a variety of management positions at the Corporate R&D Center and GE Plastics.
Gene is a founding member of the Connecticut Technology Council, a member of the Board of the Program on Innovation and Technology of the National Academy of Sciences, a member of the Board of Directors of Zygo, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZIGO), Clean Harbors Corporation (Nasdaq: CLHB), Neopad Technologies, Cambrios Technologies, and a member of the Board of Trustees of Beloit College. Gene holds 22 issued U.S. Patents and is the author of numerous published articles. Gene was awarded the Connecticut Medal of Technology in October of 2006 and was inducted into the Connecticut Academy of Sciences in 2007. He was also named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 1997.
Gene has been married to his wife Phyllis for over 40 years and they have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. Gene wishes they all could have experienced the wonderful teachers and environment that Horlick provided to him in his formative years.
Dr. Gene Banucci, you are a Rebel Son so deserving of being inducted today as a "Graduate of Distinction." You will forever be honored at William Horlick High School for using and sharing your gifts and talents with the world.
ROBERT LABRASCA - INDUCTED IN 1995
During Bob's time as a Horlick student, he was active in many activities involving reading and writing. He was a member of the Writer's Ink Club and wrote for the Horlick Herald newspaper. He was also active in drama and performed in various plays. Bob continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he continued in journalism by writing for the Daily Cardinal student newspaper.
Bob graduated from Madison with a Bachelor's degree in creative writing. After traveling around the country, he returned to Madison to write for the Capital Times newspaper and to host a public radio program. His career took him to Chicago working for the Department of Social Services and then to New York City and eventually to Los Angeles, working for various magazines.
Working with a group of fellow writers, Bob founded a new magazine, LA STYLE. He went from editor to managing editor and executive editor. The magazine won five Maggie awards, with Bob personally winning two. Bob published his first book in 1990. It's title, "Marilyn, March, 1955," was about Marilyn Monroe.
In 1989, he suffered a near-fatal heart attack. After surviving this ordeal, he lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed three more years that brought him a wife and daughter, Tara and Jana LaBrasca. On Sept. 23, 1992, Bob suffered a fatal heart attack while in New York. To honor Bob's life, a scholarship was established at UW-Madison in his name, designed to help young aspiring writers.
During Bob's time as a Horlick student, he was active in many activities involving reading and writing. He was a member of the Writer's Ink Club and wrote for the Horlick Herald newspaper. He was also active in drama and performed in various plays. Bob continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he continued in journalism by writing for the Daily Cardinal student newspaper.
Bob graduated from Madison with a Bachelor's degree in creative writing. After traveling around the country, he returned to Madison to write for the Capital Times newspaper and to host a public radio program. His career took him to Chicago working for the Department of Social Services and then to New York City and eventually to Los Angeles, working for various magazines.
Working with a group of fellow writers, Bob founded a new magazine, LA STYLE. He went from editor to managing editor and executive editor. The magazine won five Maggie awards, with Bob personally winning two. Bob published his first book in 1990. It's title, "Marilyn, March, 1955," was about Marilyn Monroe.
In 1989, he suffered a near-fatal heart attack. After surviving this ordeal, he lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed three more years that brought him a wife and daughter, Tara and Jana LaBrasca. On Sept. 23, 1992, Bob suffered a fatal heart attack while in New York. To honor Bob's life, a scholarship was established at UW-Madison in his name, designed to help young aspiring writers.
WAYNE KOSTERMAN - INDUCTED IN 1981
While a student at William Horlick High, Wayne Kosterman served three terms as an officer in Student Council, first as VP, then as President. He also served as president of the Junior Class, played varsity golf and acted in three plays for Mr. Joe Mooney. In his Senior year, classmates voted him "Most Valuable" and "Most Respected".
Wayne is a 1961 graduate of Horlick High School and received his B.S. degree in Visual Design from the Institute of Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago after spending two years in the architecture program. He worked for nine Chicago area design firms, including the Center for Advanced Research in Design, prior to launching his own companies. He is president of Generic Sign Systems, a post he has held since founding the company in 1980. In that post, he has designed sign systems for hospitals, banks, libraries, corporations, the Chicago Board Options Exchange and Florida State University. In 2009 he launched a niche website for another sign entity, www.aurabronzeplaques.com. From 1979 to 2003, he also ran a design marketing firm called Identity Center and won 75-plus awards nationally for hundreds of branding programs and other communications, with work appearing in dozens of design publications. In 1989, he received a personal letter of appreciation from Jimmy Carter for a national conference logo done for the Carter Center in Atlanta.
Wayne is a founding member of the SEGD (Society of Environmental Graphics Designers) and served on the board for the American Center for Design. He has written articles on sign system design, judged national competitions and taught design at the Chicago Academy of Art. He was also named Member of the Year in 1980 for NSACI, one of the four largest chambers of commerce in Illinois.
Wayne has been married to his wife Janet for 45 years. They have 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren.
While a student at William Horlick High, Wayne Kosterman served three terms as an officer in Student Council, first as VP, then as President. He also served as president of the Junior Class, played varsity golf and acted in three plays for Mr. Joe Mooney. In his Senior year, classmates voted him "Most Valuable" and "Most Respected".
Wayne is a 1961 graduate of Horlick High School and received his B.S. degree in Visual Design from the Institute of Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago after spending two years in the architecture program. He worked for nine Chicago area design firms, including the Center for Advanced Research in Design, prior to launching his own companies. He is president of Generic Sign Systems, a post he has held since founding the company in 1980. In that post, he has designed sign systems for hospitals, banks, libraries, corporations, the Chicago Board Options Exchange and Florida State University. In 2009 he launched a niche website for another sign entity, www.aurabronzeplaques.com. From 1979 to 2003, he also ran a design marketing firm called Identity Center and won 75-plus awards nationally for hundreds of branding programs and other communications, with work appearing in dozens of design publications. In 1989, he received a personal letter of appreciation from Jimmy Carter for a national conference logo done for the Carter Center in Atlanta.
Wayne is a founding member of the SEGD (Society of Environmental Graphics Designers) and served on the board for the American Center for Design. He has written articles on sign system design, judged national competitions and taught design at the Chicago Academy of Art. He was also named Member of the Year in 1980 for NSACI, one of the four largest chambers of commerce in Illinois.
Wayne has been married to his wife Janet for 45 years. They have 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren.