Jeffrey A. Collins
1987
While attending Jefferson High School, Jeff was the captain
of the swim team and earned the most valuable player and mental attitude
awards. He won sectional championship events, competed at the state
championship swim meet two years, set Jefferson High School swimming
records, and earned four varsity letters in swimming. He was also active
in Student Council, a member of the National Honor Society, and earned a
Jeffersonian Scholarship Award for his work in drafting and
construction technologies courses.
After graduation, Jeff entered Purdue University, earning a
Bachelor of Arts in English in 1991. He was a member of the Purdue
Reserve Officers Training Corps and was commissioned as a 2nd
Lieutenant in the Air Force upon graduation. He taught English at the
United States Air Force Academy. He earned a Master of Science in
Technical Communication from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a
Doctorate in Rhetoric from Carnegie Mellon University. At the Air Force
Academy, Jeff directed the freshman writing courses, taught advanced
speech and technical communication courses to senior students, and
eventually served as the Deputy Head for the English Department after
his academic promotion to Associate Professor. Jeff supported the Air
Force Scientific Advisory Board as a technical writer, authoring the
Board’s study on alternative energy sources and energy security for Air
Force installations worldwide.
Jeff commanded two Air Force Squadrons in his career. As the commander of the 966th
Aerospace Expeditionary Squadron at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jeff
commanded over 900 Airmen at 73 different combat outpost across
Afghanistan. As the commander of the 19th Services Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, he ran various programs to support
5,200 military and civilian personnel and 49,000 retirees. He
co-directed Little Rock’s 2008 base airshow featuring the Navy’s Blue
Angels.
Jeff is a Cyber Operations Officer and was honored as the
Field Grade Officer of the Year in 2005. In 2007 Jeff earned a Joint
Service Commendation Medal for his service on the Computer Network
Defense team deployed to Baghdad, Iraq. He earned a Bronze Star Medal
after completing over 330 outside-the-wire combat missions as an Air
Expeditionary Squadron Commander in Afghanistan. In January 2013, Jeff
was promoted to Colonel.
Dustin K. Keller
2003
While at Jefferson High School, Dustin was a three sport
standout in football, basketball, and track. During his senior year, he
was the state’s leading wide receiver in football with 114 receptions in
2002, was second team All-State as a small forward in basketball, and
he was the high jump state champion in Indiana, clearing 6’9” in a
steady rain after coming in second to Philadelphia 76er’s Rodney Corley
with a jump of 6’10”. Dustin was named one of the top 50 receivers in
the nation by Street & Smith’s and first team all-state as a senior
after setting state records with 113 receptions and 1804 yards (16.0
average) with 22 touchdowns. He was a Mr. Football finalist.
Upon graduation, Dustin attended Purdue University earning
his Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership. During his freshman
year at Purdue, he was redshirted and switched from wide receiver to
tight end. Dustin earned the full-time starting job in his redshirt
sophomore year. His senior year, Dustin was voted Most Valuable
Offensive Player in the Motor City Bowl in 2007. His teammates voted him
Purdue’s Most Valuable Player that same season.
In 2008, Dustin was selected in the National Football League
first round by the New York Jets. In the five seasons to follow, Dustin
became an important piece of the offense while leading the team in
receiving for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. During these seasons, the Jets
made back-to-back AFC championship game appearances.
While in New York, Dustin started the Dustin Keller
Foundation with the goal of helping families focus on their children’s
abilities in the face of whatever challenges may arise. He is also
involved in a meal and mentorship program for inner city youth in New
York City. Dustin volunteers time and makes donations to Camp Manitou in
the New York City area for youth who have lost parent(s); and works
with Reebok to supply uniforms, helmets, etc. to the Automotive Tech
High School in New York City. Dustin has supplied helmets, shoulder
pads, and jerseys to the Lafayette School Corporation’s 6th grade football program and purchased a scoreboard for the Jefferson High School Athletic Department.
Dustin is currently a free agent.
Jack E. Schult
1956
While at Jefferson High School, Jack was in the Senior Play,
Ushers, Performers Club, Jeff Hi-Y, Red and Black Revue, Tennis and
SPOT.
Upon graduating from Jefferson High School, Jack attended
Purdue University earning both his Bachelor of Science and Master of
Science in Secondary Administration and Supervision.
Jack taught Driver Education, Health, and Physical Education
at Jefferson High School from 1963-2006 and served as Department Head of
Physical Education and Health from 1970-2006. He was General Manager of
the Lafayette Sports Center from 1959-1961. Jack was a Junior Varsity
Football Coach for 10 years; Junior Varsity Basketball Coach 9 years;
Junior Varsity Baseball Coach 8 years; Assistant Varsity Basketball
Coach 5 years; Varsity Tennis Coach 3 years, and Varsity Basketball
Coach 2 years. Jack was the Tennis Instructor in the Recreation
Department at Purdue University for 3 years; City Tennis Director and
Coach 5 years and City Baseball Coach 5 years for the City Recreation
Department. He was a Junior Varsity Football and Basketball Coach 3
years at Central Catholic High School and Basketball Coach 3 years and
Basketball Coach 4 years at St. Ann’s Elementary.
Jack developed and taught Physical Education Practicum at
Jefferson High School from 1980 until 2006. He is the past Chairman of
the Jefferson High School Alumni Hall of Fame serving for 14 years and
was instrumental in obtaining the donation of $3.5 million for the
Performing Arts Center at Jefferson High School.
Jack was inducted into the Indiana Tennis Hall of Fame in
1998 and was voted City All Star Baseball Coach 2 years. His teams won
the City Baseball Championship 2 years; played in the Final 4 of the
National Baseball Championship 2 years; won the State High School Tennis
Championship in 1975 and was runner-up in 1976.
The 1975 State Tennis Crown was Jack’s first as a head coach,
but as an assistant coach he had input in four titles in three
different sports. Jack was the North Central Conference Coach of the
year 1975 and 1976; State Tennis Coach of the Year 1975; Nominee for the
National Tennis Coach of the Year 1975. He was the first assistant
coach to be elected to the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Board
of Directors. Jack received the State Coaches Basketball Award for the
development of players on the junior varsity level.
Cortney A. Wolfson
2003
While at Jefferson High School, Cortney was a member of the
First Edition Show Choir for three years; Varsity Singers for two years;
Second Chair Flute in the Wind Ensemble; Cheerleader; Junior Class
President; in 2003 she was Indiana Junior Miss, Tippecanoe County Junior
Miss, and 2nd Runner-Up to America’s Junior Miss. Cortney
had the lead in West Side Story; was involved in Jefferson Players and
was a member of the National Honor Society.
Upon graduation from Jefferson High School, Cortney attended
the University of Michigan and graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Fine
Arts Degree in Music Theatre. While there, she
participated in concerts benefitting Gilda’s Club. Cortney
was a performer/producer of THE BENEFIT – fundraising event in Ann
Arbor, Michigan for Cystic Fibrosis in 2006. Cortney was also involved
in the BE YOU BEST SELF PROGRAM through America’s Junior Miss in 2003
(now Distinguished Young Woman of America) and an Elementary Student
Outreach Program.
Cortney has been involved in charity work with Broadway
Cares/Equity Fights AIDS from 2007 to the present; taking collections
after Broadway and tour performances for Broadway 3 on Charity. She was a
part of ASTEP (Artist’s Striving to End Poverty) in 2012, through a
concert benefitting the organization in Boston, MA.
Cortney has performed on Broadway in LES MISERABLES (Ensemble
and Eponine Understudy) and THE ADDAMS FAMILY (Ensemble and Wednesday
Understudy). She has been on Broadway National Tours in THE ADDAMS
FAMILY (Wednesday Addams) and LEGALLY BLOND (Serena/Brook
Wyndham). Cortney has been in Regional Tours in POOL BOY World Premier
at Barrington Stages (Pittsfield, MA) and various shows at THE MUNY (St.
Louis, Missouri).