Howard County Legends announced for 2022
Historical Society event honoring its 11th Legends class takes place Aug. 18
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The 11th class of Howard County Legends will be honored by the Howard County Historical Society at the annual Hall of Legends Program on August 18, 2021 at 6pm at Hingst Hall, Ivy Tech Kokomo.
Since its inception in 2010 as the brainchild of Craig Dunn, the Hall of Legends has recognized the accomplishments of 67 notable residents and significant organizations of Howard County. They span a broad range of work and contributions, from the arts and humanities to journalism, philanthropy, business, medicine, science, and engineering.
Among those included over the past decade have been America’s first female U.S. Marine, the “Father of Modern Optometry,” the creator of Clifford the Big Red Dog, two pioneers of the automobile industry, one of the world’s leading heart surgeons, a country music superstar and an opera singer, three award-winning journalists, and multiple educators, among others. A full list is available on the historical society’s website at https://howardcountymuseum.org/programs/howard-county-legends.
Each year since 2010, a nominating committee, made up of a variety of community members, HCHS board members, and the HCHS executive director, comes together to sift through the many nominations for the Howard County Hall of Legends that have been submitted by people from the public.
It is a monumental task. The nominating committee’s process has continuously evolved to ensure a diverse slate. To consider what makes a Howard County legend takes a reliable and agreed-upon framework reflecting fairness, depth, and breadth. This current cohort exemplifies these qualities.
This year’s nominees, chosen from a long list of remarkable people with Howard County roots, include:
· Dr. Joseph Klein, an internationally recognized metallurgist whose leadership in Haynes International’s research and development organization led to its industry-leading success.;
· Dr. Marjorie Nelson, a medical doctor and advocate for peace during the Vietnam war; Hollis King, a civil rights leader in the Kokomo NAACP;
· Richard Cardwell, a staunch defender of freedom of the press and the father of Indiana’s “Open Door” law;
· Mike Wyant, local philanthropist and founder of the We Care Park at Christmas; and
· Symposium, a women’s group founded in 1896 to study subjects across arts, culture and humanities.
A video tribute will be shown during the Howard County Hall of Legends program on August 18, 2022 at 6 p.m. To purchase tickets, please go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/howard-county-hall-of-legendstickets-377465247717.