[Amherst, OH — June 19, 2026] The Amherst Exempted Village School District is proud to announce its 2026 class of inductees into the Distinguished Alumni Gallery of Success. This year marks a momentous milestone as the district celebrates the 40th anniversary of the program, which was founded in 1986 to honor outstanding alumni who have made exceptional contributions to their careers and communities.
To commemorate four decades of recognizing esteemed graduates, the district has introduced a brand-new honor this year: the Distinguished Faculty Gallery of Success.
Inaugural Distinguished Faculty Inductee
Francis Tousley - Mr. Tousley served the Amherst School District from 1950 to 1984. A proud World War II veteran and Bronze Star recipient, he was legendary at Central School and Marion L. Steele High School for his animated teaching style—frequently climbing on lab counters and singing mnemonic phrases to help students master chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics. His annual holiday chemistry shows fascinated generations of students and are still reminisced about today. Mr. Tousley inspired dozens of alumni to pursue successful medical and scientific careers, leaving a positive impact on Amherst's academic history. (Mr. Tousley was nominated by Dean Tousley.)
2026 Distinguished Alumni Inductees
This year's alumni inductees represent a diverse and inspiring array of achievements across business, education, technology, and community service:
Charles "Doug" Cogdell (Class of 1985) As the Technology Supervisor for the Amherst Exempted Village School District, Doug has masterfully bridged technology and student opportunity. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, he created COMETSLIVE!, an innovative, student-run live-streaming program for district sports and arts events. Mr. Cogdell secures local sponsorships to ensure participating students from grades 7-12 are paid for their broadcast production work, providing them with real-world business experience and technological internships. The COMETSLIVE! YouTube channel has exceeded 400,000 views, providing not only live footage of school events, but preserving them for the future. (Mr. Cogdell was nominated by Abbey Barry and Corrinn Kinser)
Richard Franta (Class of 1959) A highly accomplished registered architect and a decorated three-sport high school athlete, Franta's physical footprint is stitched across the state of Ohio through monumental civic, commercial, and educational construction projects. Most notably, Franta served as the Field Administrator for the construction of the iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland working directly alongside world-renowned architect I.M. Pei. Additionally, he spearheaded major innovations and upgrades to the Cleveland Browns Stadium. He also proudly served six years in the Ohio Army National Guard. (Mr. Franta was nominated by Frank DeSantis and Anthony Trifiletti)
Russell Marty (Class of 2000) Transforming a love of Amherst history into a mission of community and preservation, Russ, a dedicated special education teacher, established and continues to curate an Amherst alumni museum inside Marion L. Steele High School. As an ongoing preservation project supported by the district, he continues to collaborate with alumni and community members to collect and display class rings, jackets, band & sports uniforms, and much more. He digitizes old films, photographs, and yearbooks to keep the district's memories alive for future generations. Additionally, Russ facilitates alumni outreach, and enjoys welcoming graduates back to MLS by providing curated school tours for class reunion groups throughout the year. (Mr. Marty was nominated by Mark Lowrie and Ronda Stewart)
Joy Paradissis Playter (Class of 1979) An accomplished academic leader and public servant, Joy graduated from Case Western Reserve and Ohio State University before dedicating her life to student advocacy. Over a distinguished career as a dean at both Brandeis University and Wellesley College, she championed first-generation college students by founding Wellesley's First Generation Program and a post-baccalaureate pre-med program at Brandeis. Beyond academia, she is a breast cancer survivor, marathon runner, and community board member who helped support the early years of Boston Dynamics, even naming their world-famous humanoid robot, "Atlas.” (Mrs. Playter was nominated by Matthew Ilas)
Craig Washka (Class of 1977) A dedicated community volunteer and former commercial line captain and flight instructor, Washka turned a 2004 multiple sclerosis diagnosis into a mission of hope. He founded "Craig’s Crankers," a cycling group that has raised more than $270,000 for the National MS Society. Despite health challenges, he has spent 15 years as an aviation customer service representative, mentoring thousands of aspiring pilots. In 2025, the Licking Park District in Central Ohio dedicated a portion of the TJ Evans Trail to him in honor of his decade of volunteer trail upkeep. (Mr. Washka was nominated by Nancy Thompson Dennison)
Selection and Ceremony Details
Per program tradition, this year's inductees were chosen by the members of the Marion L. Steele High School Student Council. Honorees will be officially inducted into the Gallery of Success on October 2, 2026.
The Amherst Schools extends its warmest congratulations to the 2026 inductees and their families for continuing a legacy of excellence.
Email: gallery@amherstk12.org
Website: amherstk12.org