Three alumnus inducted in North Fork Hall of Honors

Campbell was raised on a farm five miles outside Utica and attended North Fork Schools from kindergarten through his high school graduation in 1973. Campbell went on to earn his Ph.D. in physics from Yale University and become a physics professor. He has taught at the University of Michigan since 1989, where he has served terms as physics department chair and associate dean for the natural sciences.

“The courses that I took in high school made a lasting impact,” he told the audience. “I learned how to touch type here. It’s something that I still use everyday. Mechanical drawing, metal shop … and of course there was the science and math.”

Campbell traveled back to Ohio for the ceremony.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to say thank you to all the people who made a huge difference in my life,” he said. “We so often don’t have those opportunities to come back and say thank you.”

D. Stephen Edman graduated from Utica High School in 1963. He taught in the district for 30 years; most of that time he was an eighth grade American history teacher at Utica Junior High. His most memorable teaching tool was a bit unorthodox, but a big hit with students. Edman proudly displayed a mannequin in his classroom, named Harvey History, and dressed him in clothes from different eras according to the time period his students were studying.

“Mr. Edman made everything fun,” said Amy Cree, a North Fork alumna and special education teacher.

During his career, Edman created Utica Recycling Center, re-organized and advised Utica Junior High Student Government and coached everything from seventh grade basketball to varsity track to the high school quiz bowl team.

When a budget cut forced the district to cut back on sports, Edman formed an intramural program that offered swimming, archery, flag football, bowling and softball. He also served as the PA announcer for Friday night football games.

In his acceptance speech, Edman thanked his wife, Marilyn, his fellow teachers from his time at the middle school and the parents who chaperoned the trips to Dearborn, Michigan. He also thanked the school’s current teachers for choosing to become educators.

“I just want you to know how much myself, and I’m sure everybody else in this room, appreciates, admires and respects the hours of preparation, of sacrifice and of devotion you continue to put in every day,” he concluded.

The final inductee was also a junior high teacher. Harry Little grew up in Upper Arlington, but has called Utica home since he joined the district in 1969. He spent his career teaching seventh and eight grade language arts, retiring in 1991. He also coached more than 30 seasons for junior high and senior high teams.

Robin Holtz, who had Little as both a teacher and a volleyball coach, described him as ornery, but kind.

“You knew he’d back us up and he was very good at supporting us,” she said. “I was pretty shy on the court, but he always pushed me to get better and be better.”

Little wore other hats during his time at North Fork, as a member of county curriculum and textbook committees and as the advisor of the junior high newspaper. He also served a term as the head of the combined junior and senior high language arts department and set up the junior high’s first computer lab during his stint as computer coordinator.

All three inductees said they were touched by the honor.

“It’s really special to me,” said Little. “To know that your work is appreciated and that people remember you, it means a lot.”