Wall of Fame gets five new members

Editor’s note: What follows are excerpts of a speech given by principal Sandra Squire during the 2015 Alumni Wall of Fame induction ceremony. Six new graduates were inducted into the Wall this year.

This is an exciting day for us at BD as we are able to honor greatness.  I say often that Ben Davis produces excellence.  In my time as an administrator here at Ben Davis I have witnessed boys track win state, girls basketball win state, the Speech team win state, the choir team win state, the brain game team represent the state of Indiana in the National competition, our JROTC has gone to nationals, and this year we not only had a state championship wrestler, but we also won the 6A state football championship against Carmel.  Ben Davis produces excellence.  And today we get to witness some of the excellence that Ben Davis has produced.

Today we honor a musical artist, a lawman, 2 entrepreneurs, and a surgeon.

So let’s begin:

Our first honoree is Pamela Altmeyer Alvey.  Mrs. Altmeyer Alvey is a 1964 graduate of Ben Davis and studied at Vincennes University, The University of Indianapolis, and the University of Wisconsin at Madison.  She has over 35 years’ experience in managing nonprofit organizations and is a founding member of Gleaners Food Bank of Central Indiana. As written on their website, “Gleaners was formed in 1980 by concerned citizens who had a simple yet profound vision: no one in Indiana should  suffer from hunger and malnutrition.”  Gleaners network consists of over 250 partner agencies and has grown to be the largest nonprofit provider in the state of Indiana.

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Our next inductee is Dean Berry Jr. Dean is a graduate of the class of 1959.  Dean is the founder of Memphis Communications Corporation in Memphis, TN.  Their mission is to be “the best technical service and installation service provider that their clients have ever experienced in their careers.”

Dean Berry Jr. began his career at the age of 20 and was the youngest salesman in the history of Bell and Howell.  He became a sales manager by 23 and led the Chicago branch to national sales records. In 1972, Dean Berry Jr., his wife Sandy, and their 5 kids (that number later grew to 8) moved from Illinois to Memphis and Memphis Communications Corporation was born.  The company employs over 100 people including Dean’s sons: Shane, Scot, Shell, Sean and Shad.  His nominator said, “Dean’s success can be attributed to his desire to provide for his family, his dedication to an admirable work ethic, and his push for excellence and personal concern for his employees and company.”

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Our next honoree is Dr. Dan Faulk.  Dr. Faulk graduated in 1974 from Ben Davis High School, from Notre Dame in 1978, and from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1983.  He completed his Indiana University Medical Center Oral Surgery Residency Program in 1986.  He was a diplomat of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.  Dr. Faulk was an Oral Surgeon with Indiana Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates. A few of his past professional appointments include: Assistant Professor of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Indiana Dental School, Delegate of the Indiana Dental Association General Assembly, Chairman of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Dental Section at Methodist Hospital and President of Westside Dental Study Club.  Mr. Faulk passed away in 2010.

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Our next inductee is Sheriff John R Layton. Sheriff Layton is a 1971 graduate of Ben Davis and has been serving the community with the Marion County Sheriff’s office for over 40 years.  He has a lifetime dedicated to protecting the community and moving up through the ranks.  He started his career at the detention ward at Wishard, was promoted to road deputy, then Caption where he create the regional gang and intelligence unit.  He then became the executive officer for Frank Anderson and in 2010, was elected to the office of Marion County Sheriff.

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Our final inductee of the evening is Christal Phelps Steele. Ms. Steele is a 1969 Ben Davis graduate. Though accepted at both IU and Oberlin College, Christal decided to attend Indiana Central College (now the University of Indianapolis).  Christal has been with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for over 41 years.  She joined in 1973 as assistant principal second violin.  She became Assistant Concertmaster in 1978 and remained in that position until 2014.  She has been a soloist on numerous occasions and has held faculty positions at Butler and the University of Indianapolis.   In 2008 she was the winner of the Patch Leadership Award which recognizes service and dedication to her profession.