Donald Ambler
1947
Donald
Ambler began studying and playing the clarinet at Washington Elementary
School. After high school graduation, he was accepted at Vandercook
College of Music in Chicago, Illinois, a major step to achieving his
dream: to become a member of a symphony orchestra. While at Vandercook,
he played in the first clarinet section of the band for five years. He
also performed with the Chicago Civic Orchestra, a training school for
the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the championship CYO Band of
Chicago.
In
addition to his studies, Ambler taught private lessons at several
elementary and high schools in the Chicago area and continued that
teaching for two years (1953-1955) after graduating. The pursuit of his
dream took him to New York City, where he delivered groceries and worked
as a doorman on Park Avenue to finance his way. While in New York City,
Ambler formed a chamber orchestra that included the best young
performers in the city. He helped organize, acted as a personnel manager
for, and performed in the New York Orchestral Society from 1960-1962.
In April
1962, Ambler's dream was fulfilled when Maestro Saul Caston appointed
him bass clarinetist with the Denver Symphony Orchestra. He played with
the orchestra, now known as the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, for 30
years. During that time and seven years since leaving the orchestra, he
has taught clarinet and bass clarinet lessons to students of all ages,
some of whom have gone on to perform in such organizations as the U. S.
Marine Band, the Boston Symphony, and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.
Ambler's current activities in music include playing bass clarinet with
the Central City Opera and the Colorado Ballet Company, judging student
music competitions, giving master classes, and making personal
appearances in concerts with numerous bands and orchestras.
Douglas Mansfield
1967
After
graduation from Purdue University in 1971 as an electrical engineer,
Doug Mansfield joined Kirby Risk Corporation as the Service Manager for
the Electric Motor Repair Division, which consisted of one branch in
Lafayette with six employees. In 1982 he became Division Manager,
overseeing the Electric Motor Division and the newly created Wiring
Harness Division. He was promoted to the position of Director in 1987.
In recognition of his accomplishments, he was promoted to Vice President
of Manufacturing for Kirby Risk Corporation and Executive Vice
President of Kirby Risk Service Center in 1997. Currently Mansfield is
responsible for seven plants with over 400 employees and is an officer
of the Kirby Risk Corporation.
Mansfield
is an active community member. He has been a member of the Board of
Directory for Greater Lafayette Progress and the YMCA. He was Industry
Chairman of the United Way campaign in 1995, and in 1997 he was chairman
of the United Way Campaign which raised close to four million dollars
for charity. He also chaired the TAP (Technical Assistance Program)
Council for the Engineering School at Purdue University. Currently, he
is a member of the President's Council at Purdue, the Lafayette Chamber
of Commerce, and the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce.
Mansfield
has done many things for Lafayette Jefferson High School. He has been
President of the Golden Broncho Club, a member of the Board of Directors
of the Booster Club, and a member of the Community Advisory Council. In
addition, he has been a member of the School-to-Work Committee, working
closely with the high school. He also taught Applied Economics through
Junior Achievement at the high school for many years.
Henry Rosenthal
1936
After
graduation from Jefferson High School, Henry Rosenthal entered Purdue
University to study electrical engineering, the course of study which at
that time would lead him to the realization of his childhood dream: to
become a radio broadcaster. However, one year later, Rosenthal had to
leave college to take over the family's clothing store business after
his father suffered a stroke. In October 1942, he was drafted into the
infantry and sent to Europe, where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge.
While in the service, he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and
received the Purple Heart and three battle stars. In January 1946,
Rosenthal returned to the clothing business, but he hadn't given up his
dream of becoming a radio broadcaster. He left retailing for a
broadcasting career as a TV time salesman with WFAM-TV in 1955. Two
years later, Rosenthal and three business partners purchased WFAM, Inc.,
and Rosenthal was named General Manager of television station WFAM and
radio station WASK. The corporate name was changed to Lafayette
Broadcasting, Inc. In 1959, he became the sole owner of Lafayette
Broadcasting, Inc. In 1961, he sold WFAM-TV and put WASK-FM on the air.
His childhood dream had been achieved. From 1961-1983, he was the
play-by-play announcer for all Purdue football and basketball
broadcasts. Rosenthal remained General Manager of Lafayette Broadcasting
until he sold the AM and FM stations in 1983. Currently he is a
business consultant in the areas of sales and promotions.
Over the
years, Rosenthal has been involved in a variety of community groups and
activities. He has served as a board member for the Lafayette School
Corporation, Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Home Hospital and
Indiana Broadcasters Association.
Since
1996 he has provided yearly radio broadcasts of Senior PGA Tour events
in Indianapolis and Naples, Florida. Currently he is the Promotions
Director for Coyote Crossing Golf Course.
Charles G. Ross
1940
Charles
G. Ross has truly distinguished himself in times of war and peace. In
recognition for his distinguished service during three wars, Charles G.
Ross was inducted into the United States Army Ranger Hall of Fame at
Fort Benning, Georgia, in June 1997. During World War II Charles was
promoted from private in a rifle company to platoon sergeant to rifle
company commander. In 1944 he was wounded in action during the
Bougainville Campaign, and in 1945 he participated in the invasion of
Leyte Island where he was wounded a second time. During the Korean War,
he served three tours and commanded four different companies in combat;
the Eighth Army Ranger Company, the First Airborne Ranger Company, the
Second Division Reconnaissance Company, and Company "A" in the 31st
Infantry Regiment. During the Vietnam War, Charles served two combat
tours, twelve months of which were spent with Special Forces (i.e. Green
Beret). Charles was awarded the Triple Combat Infantry Badge for
infantry combat in all three wars. Among the numerous awards he has
received are the Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal (Oak Leaf Cluster), and
the Purple Heart. He retired from the military after thirty years of
service to his country.
Although
Ross attended Purdue and Indiana Universities after graduating, World
War II interrupted his education. However, in 1964, he earned a Bachelor
of Science degree from the University of Maryland. He continued his
studies, earning a Masters of Education from Western Maryland College in
1969, and an MBA from the University of Georgia in 1975.
In
addition to his outstanding military achievements, Charles has also been
honored for his active role in the community. In 1997 he was presented
with both the Distinguished Public Service Award by the Kiwanis Club of
Rockdale County, Georgia, and the Humanitarian Award for "distinguished
and unselfish service to the community" by the Rockdale County Board of
Realtors.
Tom Rush
1958
Tom Rush graduated from Indiana University in 1962 and obtained his M.B.A. from Indiana in 1963.
He began his career with Cummins Engine in 1963, and in 1967 he
joined National Homes. In 1973, starting from scratch, he founded
Jonathan Homes which became one of Indiana's largest home builders. In
1986, he sold Jonathan Homes to a Florida bank but continued as
President. In 1991, he formed Trinity Homes and served as President
until 1997, when he sold his stock in a leveraged buy out arrangement
with Crossman Communities.
In 1996 he received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
In 1998 he formed a partnership that currently owns several golf
courses in the Indianapolis area. Currently, he serves as managing
partner of Rush Investments, which involves investing in various
entrepreneurial activities.
He serves as chairman of the Indianapolis Colts Advisory Council and
is on the Board of Union Planters Bank, Artistic Media Partners and
Junior Achievement. He is a member of St. Luke's Church, Rotary Club,
Children's Museum, and St. Mary's Child Care.