The inaugural class of the Warren County Public Schools Hall of Distinguished Alumni includes 12 graduates of Warren County high schools who have distinguished themselves in fields as diverse as agriculture, academics, athletics, politics, and the legal profession. After considering applications for the inaugural class since mid-December, the seven-member selection committee came up with an even dozen alumni with impressive credentials.

This first class of inductees is an impressive group, says Warren County Board of Education Vice Chairman Mike Wilson. The 12 who were selected have all accomplished great things in a variety of fields. I think its great that we have started honoring our distinguished alumni in this way. Its a wonderful honor for them, and it also presents an example for our current students. It gives them something to aspire to.

Likewise, Warren County Public Schools Superintendent Tim Murley believes the Hall of Distinguished Alumni will be an asset to the school district. I love the idea, Murley says. Our district has had so many graduates who have done such amazing things. We need to recognize them and celebrate their accomplishments. The induction of these first members will be a proud day for Warren County Schools.

The induction of this inaugural class will take place on Saturday, May 18 at the Carroll Knicely Conference Center in Bowling Green. The inductees:

-- Dr. Kenneth Bastin, a 1980 graduate of Warren Central High School now living in Wisconsin. Dr. Bastin earned his bachelors degree in Physics and Chemistry at Western Kentucky University (WKU) and his Doctor of Medicine degree at Vanderbilt University. He has dedicated his career to treatment of cancer patients and has helped develop new treatments for the disease. He is now Clinical Director of Radiation Oncology at St. Lukes Medical Center in Milwaukee.

-- Dr. Jenks Britt, a 1962 graduate of Warren County High School now living in Bowling Green. Dr. Britt earned his bachelors degree in Agriculture and Biology at WKU and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Auburn University. He has practiced or taught veterinary medicine for the past 42 years. He was a partner/owner of Logan County Animal Clinic for 23 years and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine for five years. Since 1998, he has been a professor or department head in the WKU Department of Agriculture.

-- David Clark, a 1986 graduate of Warren Central High School now living in Adams, Tennessee. Mr. Clark was an active-duty Army helicopter pilot from 1986 until his retirement in 2011. He flew combat helicopter missions in Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1990-91), Invasion of Haiti (1994), Iraq (2003-08), and Afghanistan (2005). His military awards include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars, and 10 Air Medals. Among his career highlights was leading the helicopter assault to rescue POW Jessica Lynch in 2003. Clark now works as a civilian contractor to the U.S. Army designing future Army special operations aircraft cockpits and components.

-- Daymeon Fishback, a 1996 graduate of Greenwood High School now living in Birmingham, Alabama. One of the greatest athletes ever to attend a Warren County high school, Fishback was the first player from Warren County to be named Kentucky Mr. Basketball when he earned that honor in 1996. He is still Greenwoods all-time leading scorer with 2,214 points. He enjoyed a stellar career at Auburn University, playing on a team that finished 29-4 in 1998-99 and finishing as one of the schools top five 3-point shooters. Fishback played professional basketball in Europe before returning to Alabama, where he now works as a financial advisor. He is also a college basketball color analyst with Fox Sports South, ESPN, and The Auburn Network.

-- Dr. Sharron Francis, a 1962 graduate of Warren County High School now living in Nashville. She graduated from WKU in 1965 with a degree in biology then earned her doctorate in Medical Physiology from Vanderbilt University in 1970. Dr. Francis completed postdoctoral work at Washington University in St. Louis and the National Heart and Lung Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. She joined the faculty of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1975 and works as a research professor in the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics. Her research, which focuses on mechanisms cells use to regulate their functions, has contributed to treatment of hypertension, asthma, diabetes, and male impotence. In 2008, Dr. Francis was inducted into the WKU Hall of Distinguished Alumni.

-- Charles Hardcastle, a 1951 graduate of Alvaton High School now living in Bowling Green. A 1956 graduate of WKU, Hardcastle distinguished himself in the military, attaining the rank of captain. For the past 50 years, he has built a successful career in business and politics while also earning accolades for his service to the community. He served terms as Bowling Green mayor and as a Warren County magistrate, and he has spearheaded many community-service projects through his work with the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club. A longtime partner in BG Chemical, Hardcastle has also had his hand in businesses such as Bowling Green Paper, WBKO Television, and Citizens First Bank.

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Warren County Public Schools Honor Alumni