Maine East Wall of Honor
March 2025 | Wall of Honor Induction Ceremony – Link
2025 Wall of Honor Recipients
Dr. James Bjorken, Class of 1952
Dr. James Bjorken was a renowned physicist known for inventing “Bjorken Scaling,” a key concept about the behavior of particles such as protons and neutrons at high energies. He studied physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and later earned his PhD from Stanford University in 1959. At Stanford and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Bjorken played a crucial role in confirming the existence of quarks in the late 1960s and early 1970s. (Link for bio)
Jami Gertz, Class of 1983
Jami Gertz is a well known film and television actress who studied drama at New York University (NYU) and began her acting career in the early 1980s with roles in the television shows “On the Right Track” and “Square Pegs.” She later appeared in several blockbuster films and earned an Emmy nomination for her role on the critically acclaimed television series “Ally McBeal.” (Link for bio)
Dr. Larry Kramer, Class of 1976
Dr. Larry Kramer is a legal scholar who has written and taught in a variety of law fields including constitutional law, conflict of laws, civil procedure, federal law and its history, and the role of courts in society. (Link for bio)
Josephine Lee, Class of 1993
Josephine Lee is a renowned musician, and President and Artistic Director of Uniting Voices, a multicultural nonprofit organization that serves over 3,000 youth annually. Under her leadership, the organization has doubled its number of students served and established Uniting Voices Chicago as one of the city’s premier civic and cultural institutions. (Link for bio)
Rosalyn “Roz” Varon, Class of 1975
Roz Varon was a pioneer in the world of television news reporting. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Communications from Columbia College Chicago and started her career in radio. (Link for bio)
| David Barker: Maine West Class of 1963
Maine Township High Schools teacher, department chair, Maine East principal 1967-2007, founding principal of District 207 School Based Health Center, dedicated leader of bilingual education as President of Illinois TESOL and Member and Chair of Illinois Advisory Council. |
| Howard M. Blassman (1988): Maine East Class of 1971
Scholar and dedicated student leader, member and president of the District 207 Board of Education 1981-1986, valued representative to state and national organizations of School Boards. |
| Robert Paul Carlson: Maine Class of 1953
Maine Township schools history teacher 1957-2007, inspirational mentor to 5 decades of Maine students, known by generations of students as Mr. Maine, champion of the history, traditions, architecture, and values of Maine, founding member Park Ridge Historical Society, founding member Des Plaines Historical Society, nationally renowned authority on General Douglas MacArthur. |
| Hillary Rodham Clinton (1996)
Active participant in church, school and community activities in Park Ridge, exceptional student and committed leader at Maine East High School 1961-1964, nationally recognized attorney and advocate for children’s rights, educational improvement, and health care reform. |
| Stanton R. Cook (2007): Maine Class of 1943
Chairman, President and CEO Tribune Company 1974-1990, Chairman Chicago Cubs 1990-1994, Life Trustee Northwestern University, Life Trustee Field Museum of Natural History, Trustee Museum of Science and Industry, Trustee John G. Shedd Aquarium, Director Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation, former chairman Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. |
| Helen A. Dobbins (1993)
Innovative, perceptive, articulate, and caring Maine East English teacher (1966-1992), multi-term president of the Maine Teachers’ Association, and effective advocate for students and staff of District 207. |
| Alexander M. Harley (1986)
Inspiring chairman of the Maine Township High School Music Department (1930-1960), innovator of school-community music programs, founder of the International Music Honor Society Modern Music Masters. |
| David Hiller: Maine East Class of 1971
Purveyor of justice and free speech, served as U.S. Supreme Court Justice law clerk, U.S. Department of Justice Special Assistant to Attorney General and Associate Deputy Attorney General, Editor Harvard Law and Review Media, Executive and Publisher Chicago Tribune and LA Times, President and CEO of the McCormick Foundation. active member of executive and civic organizations. |
| Phillip W. Tone (2000): Maine High School Class of 1940
Scholar, athlete, debater, class officer, and Good Will Award winner, steadfast advocate for excellence in the public schools, library, children’s athletic programs, and government in the city of Park Ridge, accomplished attorney, judge in the U.S. District Court and U.S. Court of Appeals, dedicated leader in numerous law-related organizations at the local, state, and national levels. |
| Pat Wagner (1998)
Enthusiastically dedicated, Pat Wagner was the Maine East receptionist and switchboard operator for 38 years from 1956-1994. Exemplifying the motto: “May you do what you love, and love what you do”, Pat welcomed everyone to Maine East, touching the lives of all who came in contact with her. Loyally supporting her Maine East family of faculty, students, and parents, Pat embodied helpfulness, friendliness, and concern for others that spread to all our communities. |