Three new inductees to the Bellefontaine High School Distinguished Alumni were recognized during the pre-recorded virtual commencement ceremony for the BHS Class of 2020, which aired at 7 p.m. Friday evening.
Emily Ellis Wieringa, a 1995 graduate of Bellefontaine High School, was the featured speaker for the commencement ceremony. She was honored alongside fellow 2020 Distinguished Alumni recipients Beth Belser Harman, retired Bellefontaine City Schools superintendent and staff member, and Howard Traul II.
The keynote speaker graduated from Purdue University in 1999 with a bachelor of science in civil engineering. She is a registered professional engineer and a certified level 2 bridge inspector for the state of Ohio.
Mrs. Wieringa is a construction claims specialist graduate from Bricker and Eckler/Columbus State. She is currently employed as director of construction and engineering for The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell and provides oversight of capital construction projects for the zoo and aquarium, Zoombezi Bay, Safari Golf Course and the Wilds.
The 1995 BHS graduate was featured on the cover of Construction Executive Magazine and in the article written about zoo exhibit construction.
In 2011, she received the Union County Engineer Employee of the Year award, along with other awards. She is active in numerous activities and outreaches including Society of Women Engineers, Memorial Health board member, and a volunteer for the Dian Fosse Gorilla Fund International for campus development in Rwanda. Mrs. Wieringa is involved in her church as a volunteer with the children’s ministry.
Observing college debt as an increasingly significant burden for today’s students, she and her husband, Steven, established the Wieringa Family Civil Engineering Scholarship for the Lyles School of Civil Engineering. The Wieringas have two daughters.
A 1974 BHS graduate, Mrs. Harman graduated cum laude from Bowling Green State University in 1978 with a bachelor of science in education and in 1988 from Wright State University with a master of science in education leadership.
Also completed additional course work in leadership from Wright State University to obtain principal and superintendent licensure.
Mrs. Harman served in many roles with Bellefontaine City Schools – elementary teacher, elementary principal, first female district curriculum director, and the first female superintendent for the last five years of her education career.
She was instrumental in the $14.58 million bond issue that was passed by voters in 2009, enabling BCS to construct two new buildings and restructure the district.
The retired superintendent also spearheaded a committee that raised $1.5 million to upgrade the high school stadium and surrounding facilities.
Mrs. Harman’s service has always been to her family, church, and community – especially to youths in school and to the scholarship of students. She has been involved in the City Tree Commission, Bellefontaine Rotary Club and is presently the chair of the United Way of Logan County Education Committee.
A lifelong member of the First Lutheran Church, she has served in the chancel choir, finance committee, children’s ministry, and as a worship leader. Mrs. Harman is married to Steve and is a mother/stepmother to four children and has nine grandchildren.
Mr. Traul II is a 1969 BHS graduate and he graduated cum laude in history and political science from Bowling Green State University in 1973. In 1976, he received his juris doctorate from Ohio Northern University.
He returned to Bellefontaine to follow in his late father’s footsteps to practice law, and is now a senior partner for a local law firm that he helped build, with 14 lawyers and five offices.
During 1977, he was elected to Bellefontaine City Council, and in 1981, was elected city law director and served in that position for 35 years. For four decades, he was instrumental in guiding policy and doing legal work for all city improvements.
Mr. Traul has served in leadership roles for numerous local non-profit and charitable organizations, including the United Way of Logan County, Green Hills Retirement Center, and many others. He has been recognized as a regional expert in municipal law, former president of the Ohio Municipal Attorney Association and has been appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court to two terms as Commissioner of the Ohio Supreme Court Client Security Fund.
Mr. Traul is married to Sharon, retired BHS business teacher, and is the father of four children.