Dick Phillips – Class of 1965

A Vietnam veteran wounded in action, Dick came back home to raise his family in this very respected community.  He has been very active in his community through his church, serving as president of the City Council, the American Legion and VFW organization, and various state boards through the Senior Center where he is board chair.

Bill Whitney – Class of 1970

Bill and his entire family have been dedicated caretakers of the prairie ever since moving back to Aurora after college.  Bill has been instrumental in the creation of Prairie Plains Resource Institute, Aurora’s Lincoln Creek Trail and Lincoln Creek Prairie and the most celebrated Soar Program for elementary aged youth which began in 1992.  There have been many other programs including most recently the Charles L. Whitney Education Center to expand educational offerings.