Five inducted to Bob Jones Hall of Fame
(CONTRIBUTED)
MADISON – Bob Jones High School’s 2015 Hall of Fame inductees are Dr. Laurie Beth Hazeltine, Ralph H. Keel Sr., Nelda Newell, Dr. Sarah M. Ryan and Wes Stroud.
A 2002 Bob Jones graduate, Hazeltine works with Eli Lilly Corporation in disease research, applying her doctorate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Previously, she worked as an U.S. Army rocket scientist.
Hazeltine graduated summa cum laude from Auburn University in chemical engineering. At Bob Jones, Hazeltine was the band’s flute section leader. Her parents are Joe and Ginny Hazeltine of Madison.
Keel, a 1940 graduate of Madison High School, persevered to start a football team. “Because of his vision, Patriot football’s great tradition began all those years ago,” Bob Jones Assistant Principal Amy Thaxton said.
Keel served in the National Guard and U.S. Army during World War II. He worked at Army Ballistic Missile Agency at Redstone Arsenal and NASA. A dedicated volunteer, he was inducted into Blue and Gray Hall of Fame and Alabama Amateur Softball Association.
He and late wife Lillian have two children — Ralph Keel Jr. and Linda Bell.
Newell, a National Board Certified Teacher, taught for 44 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Southern Mississippi and a master’s degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
One colleague said, “Nelda didn’t just nourish her students’ intellect … she nourished their spirits.” A Teacher of the Year, Newell chartered Junior Civitan Club. She and husband Dan have two children, Amy Newell and Kim Newell.
A 1999 Bob Jones graduate, Ryan excelled academically and in band. After undergraduate work at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, she graduated summa cum laude at the University of Tennessee and earned master’s and doctorate’s degrees at the University of Alabama in psychology.
Ryan has devoted her career to autism spectrum disorders. As UA Director of Autism Services, she supports students’ transition to a university campus. Her parents are Rick and Vicki Ryan of Madison.
Stroud taught for 42 years, with 32 in agriscience at Bob Jones. “He helped to propel our school to one of the state’s best through excellence he modeled to students and fellow teachers,” Thaxton said. Stroud and FFA earned district and state kudos.
Stroud received a bachelor’s degree and two graduate degrees from AU. He was Teacher of the Year multiple times. His children are Megan and Allen, both Bob Jones alumni.
