PHS Hall of Fame, Classes 1961 - 1989

With BS, MS and EdD degrees in education from Indiana University, Nick Kellum began his career as a physical education teacher and football coach in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Two years later he returned to Indiana as an instructor in Physical Education at IUPUI. 

In 1978, Nick was named Dean of the School of Physical Education and Tourism Management at IUPUI, a position he held until his retirement in 2009. He has served the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) at the local, regional and national levels. 

Nick’s many awards include the Legacy Award from the Indiana Chapter of AAHPERD, the Phi Epsilon Kappa Distinguished Service Award, the Phi Epsilon Honor Award, and the Hine Medal from IUPUI. He was also elected to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame. 

Inducted 2011

With nearly 40 years teaching high school mathematics (35 of those at Mooresville High School), Bob Grosskreutz earned many honors and took on countless additional responsibilities. 

Bob began his career in 1967 at George Washington High School, and moved to Mooresville High School in 1970. He served as Mathematics Department Chairman and senior class sponsor, and combined his talents in music and photography to produce multi-media presentations for commencent and other school and community events. 

In 1993, WRTV named Bob their Teacher of the Week, and he was named Teacher of the Year for Mooresville Schools. 

Bob maintained memberships in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and Phi Delta Kappa. He served as church organist, and volunteered for 21 years on the Plainfield Alumni Committee. 

While studying at Purdue University, Bob studied mathematics and German, earning his BS in 1967, and his MS in 1972. Purdue has since honored Bob by naming him to the President’s Council, the R.B. Stewart Society and the PMO Club. In 2014, he was presented the Distinguished Service Award by the Purdue Musical Organizations. 

Inducted 2015

During his time at Purdue University, John Hoffner earned a B.S. in Industrial Management from The Krannert Management School while being an active member of Acacia Fraternity. He went on to hold national offices in the fraternity, including Vice President and President. John also earned an MBA from Xavier University.

John began his career with Proctor & Gamble in operations management. His career wrapped up while serving as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officers of Jack in the Box, Inc. In between, he held senior leadership positions in wide-ranging organizations, and served on many boards, including Popeye's Restaurants, Inc., St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital, and Junior Achievement of San Diego.

He served on the Advisory Board of The Krannert Management School and was conferred with the school's Distinguished Alumnus Award.

In Indiana, John's honors include being named an Old Master by Purdue University and a Sagamore of the Wabash by Indiana Governor Robert Orr.

Inducted 2017

Following two tours of duty as a Marine in Vietnam, John Anderson returned to Plainfield, built a business, raised his family and provided support to the Plainfield community that will continue for generations to come. 

John started AMS Production Machining, Inc., from a table in his garage, and grew the business to become known for his specialty in cryogenic valves and fittings. While his company became very successful, it was the work John did within the community that made the greatest impact. 

In 2008, John became a Plainfield Police Commissioner, serving as President at the time of his passing in 2021. 

With his wife, Debbie, the Andersons founded Strides to Success, a PATH Premier Accredited Facility and non-profit organization, committed to serving the emotional, mental, behavioral and social challenges of both children and adults with at-risk behaviors. 

Without betraying John's wishes, it should be known that his sphere of giving has long been a well-kept secret.  Through thoughtful planning, organizations and individuals in Plainfield and Hendricks County will benefit for years to come. In particular, his quiet generosity to Plainfield High School students, while anonymous, has changed many lives.

Inducted 2021

With a B.S. in English from Franklin College, and an M.S. degree in Education from Butler University, Bob Lovell launched a successful career that includes basketball coach, athletics administrator and media personality.

As the basketball coach for Franklin College and IUPUI, Bob's team participated in the NAIA tournament. He later served as the IUPUI athletics director and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1996.

He spent six years as Associate Commissioner of the Horizon League, and is the author of "Recruiting Game Changers."

In 1994, Bob helped create Indiana Sports Talk, a statewide post-game radio show with a focus on high school and college sports. His program was heard on nearly 40 stations throughout Indiana. He went on to earn honors including Indiana Sportscaster of the Year, Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Media Award, Indiana Football Coaches Association Media Award, IHSAA Distinguished Media Award and induction  into the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Associations Hall of Fame.

Inducted 2012

A believer that the bank and community it serves as closely entwined, Tom not only served   Charlotte (NC)'s First Union National Bank, but the greater Charleston community.

While his banking career began with Indiana National Bank, it soon took him to Charlotte and First Union National. While he worked in many areas of the bank, much of his career was spent in Wealth Management. At his retirement in 2013, he was Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director for Wells Fargo, in Charleston (SC).

After graduating from PHS with honors, Tom earned a B.S. in Business Administration from what is now known as the University of Indianapolis in 1978. He later earned the Certified Financial Planner designation.

While living in Charleston, Tom as active on many community boards, including the Chamber of Commerce, Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau, and The Historic Rotary Club of Charleston.

Inducted 2016

When Indiana State's men's basketball team was runner-up in the 1979 NCAA Basketball Tournament, Rick was a member of the staff. As soon as he graduated, he stepped into Head Athletic Trainer for two professional baseball clubs, then in 1987 was named Head Athletic Trainer/Director of Health Services at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

His next step, just five years later, was to establish the area's first full service sports medicine program at Terre Haute Regional Hospital.

His many honors include Indiana Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame; National Athletic Trainers' Association Most Distinguished Award; Indiana's Distinguished Hoosier Award; and Sagamore of the Wabash.

Locally, Rick is a devoted volunteer and leader in several Plainfield organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, Optimist Club and Plainfield Community Schools Legacy Foundation.

Inducted 2017

During his time at Plainfield High School, Bruce Scifres played football, basketball and ran track all four years, earning nine varsity letters. He then took his football skills to Butler University, where he set three school rushing records and was inducted into the Butler Athletic Hall of Fame. 

Bruce spent 37 years teaching and coaching, with the majority of that time at Roncalli High School, where he led the school to seven state football championships. He finished his career ranked in the “All-Time Top 5” list of most Indiana state championship victories.

His many honors include: 12 Coach of the Year awards, including the 2017 IndyStar Sports Awards’ Coach of the Year for all Indiana sports; the National Football Foundation’s 2017 Distinguished American Award; and his induction into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 2018. 

Since retiring from teaching and coaching in 2017, Bruce now serves as the Executive Director of the Catholic Youth Organization for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, where he oversees 24,000 youth and 7,000 adult volunteers in Central and Southern Indiana. He has also authored two books on faith and manhood in today’s world. 

Inducted 2018

Doug Esamann began his career with Public Service Indiana immediately after graduation from Indiana University in 1979, and has been with the company, now Duke Energy, his entire career. His various leadership positions have included tax manager, general manager for finance and business, vice president and chief financial officer of the commercial business unit, president of PSI Energy, senior vice president of corporate strategy, and president of Duke Energy Indiana. 

His community services includes the boards of directors for the Indiana Energy Association, Indiana Manufacturers Association and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, as well as Special Olympics Indian, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership and the Indiana Legal Foundation. He is also on the advisory boards of the University of Missouri financial Research Institute and the Richard G. Lugar Center for Renewable Energy. 

Inducted 2013

Scott Saxman is a doctor, researcher, teacher, author and volunteer, beginning his career at Oklahoma State University as a faculty member in the Oncology Department. He was recruited by the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, where he worked until moving to the National Cancer Institute in Washington, D.C. There he saw patients and worked with residents at the National Naval Medical Center. 

Scott also served as the Medical Director for the Peace Corps. He later joined Eli Lilly, serving as the Director of Cancer Research. 

Scott is a former volunteer at the Naval Hospital and Wishard Memorial Hospital. He has authored numerous articles and a textbook. 

After receiving his undergraduate degree from Ball State University in 1980, Scott went on to graduate from the Indiana University School of Medicine in 1984, then to Vanderbilt University where he completed his internship, and then back to IU where he completed his residency in hematology and oncology in 1987. He has also completed a masters degree in International Research Ethics.

Inducted 2014

With degrees from Purdue University, The University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business, and Forest Institute, Chris Stout is a licensed clinical psychologist. He has served as Chief of Psychology, Director of Research, and Senior VP of an integrated behavioral healthcare system.

Chris has published or presented more than 300 papers and 35 books. He has written extensively on psychology, medicine, technology, and humanitarian issues. He has served on international missions with the Flying Doctors of American, and has worked with the Kovler Center for Refugee Surviros of Torture, Amnesty International, RWJ Foundation, the Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust, and Psychologists for Social Responsibility. 

After founding a kindergarten for AIDS-orphaned children in Tanzania, he continues as a consultant. 

Inducted 2010

As a four-year, multi-sport student athlete, Dru Cox Peary blazed trails at a time when girls' sports were first recognized by the IHSAA. As a freshman, she placed 6th at the state track and field meet in the softball throw. That would be the last time she would lose in that event, and her record throw of 239 feet will stand forever since the event has since been retired. 

Dru was also Plainfield High School's first state champion, and in 2021, she was inducted into the Indiana Track and Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame. 

As a Parade All-American basketball player, she was selected to the Indiana Girls All-Star Team in just its second year. In 2004, she was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. 

As an elementary teacher, Dru's approach to teamwork and mentoring has been extended through her support of new teachers. 

Inducted 2021

As Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, Kevin is responsible for the financial planning and fiscal management of all aspects of the global company's holdings.

After earning a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Ball State University, Kevin went to work as a finance clerk at Orlando's Walt Disney World. For the next 32 years, he held wide-ranging roles that resulted in his current role.

Kevin also holds a Master of Business Administration from the Crummer School of Business, Rollins College.

In addition to his career accomplishments, Kevin has served his family and community as  a coach, mentor and board member for many local organizations.

Inducted 2020

Brigadier General Robert P. Palmer is the Mobilization Assistant to the Air Force Director of Public Affairs, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. In this role he is responsible for providing public affairs policy and communications strategies to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force and other senior Air Force leaders on critical issues including recruiting, readiness, operations, force structure and personnel. 

Palmer earned a master's degree in international affairs from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, as well as a master's degree from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina. 

Palmer Joined WPS Health Solutions in August 2015, where he represents the company to the Wisconsin Legislature and the U.S. Congress, state and federal agencies, and military beneficiary associations. 

Inducted 2021