HN Announces Hall of Distinction Inductees

Hardin Northern is proud to announce that Dr. John Bame, HN class of 1962 and Dr. Jeff Price, HN class of 1980, will be inducted into the Hardin Northern Hall of Distinction as part of the 2023 commencement on Sunday, May 21 at 2 pm.

The Hall of Distinction was created to honor those Dola, Dunkirk, and Hardin Northern Graduates that have gone on to make a significant impact in their chosen fields and communities.

Anyone wishing to nominate a Dola, Dunkirk, or Hardin Northern graduate can do so at hardinnorthern.org under the alumni tab.

Dr. Price graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Comprehensive Social Science and Secondary Education from Findlay College in 1985. He began his teaching career at Upper Scioto Valley in the fall of 1985, teaching American History and later, American Government, gaining recognition for being a leader among educators in Hardin County. Jeff returned to Hardin Northern as a social studies teacher and coach in 1996. While at Hardin Northern, he earned his M.A. in Early American History from Bowling Green State University. He received his Ohio Administration Certification in 2001 from the University of Findlay and became principal for four years at USV. He went on to become superintendent at HN, (2005-2007), Delphos City Schools (2007-2011), and the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center (2011-2015). While at OHPCC he earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership from Ashland University (2012). Dr. Price returned once again to Hardin Northern, working as the district superintendent from 2015-2023. He is known as a visionary leader, facilitating the work in organizations which has helped to lead them to some great achievements. Accomplishments in the districts where he has worked include establishing the plans and laying the groundwork for renovation of the current Hardin Northern School building and tripling the size of satellite career technical education programs for member school districts while leading OHPCC. Also, as superintendent at OHPCC, Dr. Price developed a partnership with Clark State Community College, enhancing opportunities for advanced programs in adult education. Upon returning to HN as superintendent in 2015, the district saw major changes initiated through the establishment of a district improvement process facilitated by Dr. Price. The results of this process included purchase of additional land for athletic practice and game fields, implementation of growth mindset curriculum, emphasis on community service learning, and focusing on project-based learning. Most importantly, under Dr. Price’s guidance from 2015-2023, the district re-established itself as an innovative institution and a regional leader in the field of education. Outside of education, Dr. Price has served his community as a member of the Hardin and Logan County Work Taskforce, Chamber of Commerce Board, Rotary Club (President of the Kenton Rotary Club, 2014-15), Optimist Club, Public Library Board, Crime Stoppers Board, and Board of Deacons at Grace Gospel Church. Jeff and his wife Theresa (HN class of 1980), also founded Career Planning Solutions, LLC and Pathway Planners, LLC, and together they have worked with churches and schools, offering planning for students and visionary training for leaders and laymen of these organizations.

John Bame is a 1962 graduate of Hardin Northern, and was the class salutatorian. He is a 1966 graduate of Manchester College in Indiana, where he earned a B.A. in Biology and served as president of the Biology Club as well as the Junior and Senior Class. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1970, and held an internship in Denver, Colorado. In the spring of 1972, he graduated from the Navy’s flight surgery program in Pensacola, Florida, and was then sent to the Naval Air Station at Whidbey Island, Washington. He was responsible for the A6 Intruder squadrons based there. He met his wife, Mary, at sick call in March 1973 and they were married in 1974. He completed his radiology residency at The Mason Clinic in Seattle in 1977 and then began his radiology practice at two small hospitals near the Navy base. He and his partner set up and ran all the diagnostic services at these two hospitals, which included nuclear medicine, mammography, ultrasound, and later CT and MRI services. He served as Chief of Staff at Island Hospital in 1989. John served Pregnancy Resource Centers in Oak Harbor and Mount Vernon, Washington, by volunteering to read ultrasound exams for close to 2000 patients over a period of 15 years. This combined effort with nurses and other volunteers saved hundreds of little lives, a unique but extremely important part of his life.

John was featured in Outstanding Young Men of America in 1972. He became a Stewardship Forester in 2017, and owns 100 acres of trees in Washington and on the family farm near Williamstown, Ohio.

John and Mary have resided in the state of Washington since 1977, and have three children and seven grandchildren. He is now a retired diagnostic radiologist.

In his time at HN, John held the school record for the mile (4:57), and as a senior was named Lima News Basketball Player of the Week. As a junior, facing a highly-rated Belle Center team at home, John hit six long shots in a row in the opening minutes of the game and went on to outscore Ohio’s Mr. Basketball, Dick Ricketts, 20-18. On that memorable night, the Polar Bears defeated Belle Center in the presence of Legendary Ohio State basketball coach, Fred Taylor, who was there scouting future OSU star, Ricketts, and following the upset John was carried off the court in elated pandemonium.

“Life has been good to me, blessed beyond measure. Growing up in the Midwest in a small-town farming community is a great place to get a good foundation for life. Everyone gets a lot of opportunities in life, but if you have not prepared yourself ahead of time, they will be to no avail.”