Two prominent former Upper Arlington residents will be inducted to the Wall of Honor this year.
The city of Upper Arlington and the Upper Arlington Historical Society chose George Haddad and James T. Miller for the Wall of Honor.
Former The Ohio State University professor Haddad was well known for supporting the arts. He studied at the University of Toronto and the Juilliard School of Music, as well as the Paris Conservatory, and later became a professor and artist-in-residence at OSU. Throughout his life, Haddad played in several orchestras and was recognized in the United States, Canada and Europe as an accomplished pianist and teacher. His musical involvement enhanced the arts for many Upper Arlington residents, making him a great asset to the community.
Miller’s inclusion on the Wall of Honor is taking place 100 years after he sold 840 acres of land that would become the city of Upper Arlington. Miller was the first mayor of Upper Arlington and his former home is the site of the First Community Village. He also lived in one of the first six homes in UA.
“We felt he was well overdue because this is the 100th anniversary of when he sold his land,” Historical Society President Charlie Groezinger says.
Past Wall of Honor inductees include OSU football coach Wayne Woodrow “Woody” Hayes, UA founders Ben and King Thompson, and Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas. Wall of Honor inductees must have lived in Upper Arlington at some point and made a significant contribution to the city of Upper Arlington, the state or the nation. All are inducted posthumously.
“The person must be nominated; someone has to tell us that and make a case,” Groezinger says. “We get 15-20 names each year and we keep (the nominations) for a few years.”
For more than 20 years Upper Arlington has been adding members to the wall, which currently has more than 30 honorees.
“The inductees come from all walks of life,” Groezinger says.
The 2013 induction ceremony is scheduled for 3 p.m. May 19 at the Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Rd., and will include several speakers chosen by the families of the inductees and the unveiling of the plaques.
Holly Butcher is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at laurand@cityscenemediagroup.com.
