WPSD Alumni Association

Rev. John G. Brown Service

The person(s) shall be chosen for his/her devoted service to the Deaf for at least 25 years at the Western Pa. School f/t Deaf.

List of honorable biography of Rev. John G. Brown Service, based on chronology date order of the award.

Adolph Binotto – 2005

  • Enrolled at WPSD in 1910
  • Graduated in 1922
  • At WPSD
    • Boys’ Supervisor (1923-61)
  • Passed away on January 1961 after 38 years of service
  • His sign name was “B” scratching on the right ear because he had no ears
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2005

George M. Teegarden – 2005

  • Born on March 11, 1852 in Green County, Pennsylvania and his family moved to Iowa
  • Graduated from Iowa School for the Deaf in 1871
  • National Deaf-Mute College (Gallaudet University) in 1876
  • Hired as a teacher
    • First three new teachers in Turtle Creek (1876)
    • Teacher (1876-1924)
    • Established and supervised its printing department in 1898
    • Edited the school publication, which is now The Western Pennsylvanian (WPAN)
    • Deeply interested in teaching English, he published several books and adapted classic fairy tales, fables, and mythology into written translatable American Sign Language (The Raindrop in 1880 and Stories Old and New in 1896)
    • Longest-serving teacher – 48 years
  • Retired on June, 1924 after 48 years of service
  • Died on November 14, 1936
  • Teegraden Field introduced in 19xx in soccer field
  • Named to the Hall of Fame by the Alumni Association in 1958
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2005

Tom MuMullin – 2005

  • At WPSD
    • Dormitory Counselor (1968-69)
    • Teacher (1969-79 & 1995-99)
    • Counseling Teacher (1975-79)
    • General Program Director (1979-84)
    • Special Studies Director (1984-91)
    • Add duty as a Vocational Director (1985-91)
    • Supervisor of Vocational & Evaluation (1991-95)
    • Freshman Soccer Coach (1971)
    • Freshman Track Coach
    • Jr. Varsity Wrestling Coach (1970-71)
    • Varsity Track Coach (1974-79)
  • Retired in 1999 after 31 years of service
  • His sign name is sign “claw” tapped on the cheek
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2008

Ada (Mundinger) Sapko – 2005

  • Hired as a teacher
    • Teacher (1954-1956)
  • Left WPSD to teach
    • Lutheran School for the Deaf in Detroit (1956-58)
    •  Mill Neck Manor Lutheran School for the Deaf in New York City (1958-60)
  • At WPSD
    • Teacher (1960-70)
    • Consulting Teacher (1970-73)
    • Dean of Girls (1969-74)
    • Dean of Students (1974-78)
    • Upper School Director (1978-85)
  • Passed away on June 4, 1985 of cancer while still working
  • Served WPSD for 28 years
  • Her last-time sign name is the letter “S” like “Saturday;” before she got married, it was the letter “M” like “Monday”
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2005

Henry Bardes – 2014

  • Graduated from the Ohio Institute for the Deaf and Dumb in 1881
  • Hired as a vocational instructor
    • Vocational instructor (1881-86)
    • Shoe repair Instructor (1886-1928)
    • Made some baseball mitts (gloves) for the students to use on the WPSD baseball team
  • Retired in 1931 at the age of 70
  • Was the longest vocational department instructor in WPSD history (47 years)
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2014

Milford Holliday – 2014

  • Hiring as a teacher
    • Teacher (1935-68)
  • Retired in 1968 after 33 years of service
  • His sign name was the sign for “holiday”
  • Passed away on October 11, 1997 at the age of 93
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2014

Chris Noschese – 2014

  • At WPSD
    • Dormitory Counselor (1972-76 & 1978-79)
    • Teacher (1973-2007)
    • Dormitory Director of HS Boys (1976-78)
    • Class Advisor (1975, 1998 & 2001)
    • Student Body Government Advisor (1999-2003)
    • Varsity Letter Club Advisor (1976-1986)
    • Volunteer as a substitute teacher after his retirement
  • Retired in 2007 after 35 years of service
  • His sign name is sign as a fruit
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2014

Bernard Teitelbaum – 2014

  • Graduated from Gallaudet University in 1923
  • Hired as a teacher
    • Teacher (1924-62)
    • Active in the Boy Scout program
    • Advisor to senior class for many years
  • Retired in 1962 after 38 years of service
  • Passed away at the age of 83 on June 27, 1984 at the Columbus Colony Care Center in Columbus, Ohio
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2014
  • His name sign was the letter “R” tapped on right forehead

James Toner – 2014

  • Graduated in 1970
  • At WPSD
    • Dormitory Counselor (1970-2006)
    • Wrestling Assistant Coach (1971-90)
    • Jr. Varsity Wrestling Coach (1971-76 & 1979-85)
    • Freshman Wrestling Coach (1975-76)
    • Varsity Wrestling Coach (1990-98)
    • Freshman Soccer Coach (1979-85)
    • Varsity Track Assistant Coach (1981-85, 1989 & 1994-2004)
    • Varsity Letter Club Advisor (1991-2004)
    • Mighty Mites Soccer Coach (1988-92)
    • Transports students to the games, activities, and homes weekly
  • Donated to the Sharing the Future at WPSD & Alumni Giving Tree
  • Received the Outstanding Alumni Award at WPSD in 2004
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Services Award in 2014

Harry L. Branson – 2017

  • Prior coming to WPSD
    • Editor of Ohio Chronicle and printing instructor at Ohio School for the Deaf (1886-90)
    • City Editor of Toledo Daily News (1890-92)
  • Hired as a printing teacher in February
    • Printing Teacher (1892-1919)
    • The longest-serving editor of the School paper; The Western Pennsylvanian (WPAN) (1893-1919)
  • Unable to resume his duties, left WPSD after 27 years of service
  • Moved back to his former home in Columbus, Ohio
  • Died in February 25, 1919
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2017

A.U. Downing – 2017

  • Prior coming to WPSD
    • Taught at the Ohio Institute for the Deaf and Dumb (1883-1890)
  • Hired as a teacher
    • Teacher (1890-1933)
    • Volunteer to interpret everywhere at WPSD, PSAD, and Deaf community
    • Organized an “English Language Club” to encourage spelling and discourage the use of signs
    • Designed a blue school flag with gold letters, (W.P.S.D.) and it presented it on May 30, 1923
  • Retired in 1933 after his 43 years of service
  • Died on January 19, 1947 at the age of 94
  • His portrait was hanged in the conference room in the memory of A.U. Downing
  • His first initial name “A” stands for Abishai 
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2017

Marie Gidea – 2017

  • Prior coming to WPSD
    • Taught at the West Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind
  • Hired as a teacher
    • Oral Teacher (1916-56)
  • According media, she was on a committee that raised money for both WPSD and DePaul, four times
  • Retired in 1956 after 40 years at WPSD
  • Died on October 14, 1981 in Riverside, California at the age of 94
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2017

James Mackin – 2017

  • Hired as a vocational teacher
    • Taught painting (1927-61)
    • Boys’ Basketball Coach (1946-56)
    • Won the ESSDAA Championship in 1948, 2nd  place (1949 & 1955) and 3rd place (1956)
    • 73 victories and 88 defeats in his coachingcareer
  • Retired in 1961 after 34 years of service
  • Died on September 18, 1981
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2017
A. C. Manning
1921 – 1946

Dr. Arthur C. Manning – 2017

  • Prior coming to WPSD
    • Normal Fellow (and Research Assistant) in the Department of Articulation at Columbia Institution for the Deaf (Gallaudet University) in 1903
    • Teacher at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in 1910
    • Chief of the Educational Service (for rehabilitation of deafened soldiers) at the US Army General Hospital in Cape May, New Jersey during the World War (1918-1919)
  • Hired as our first Assistant Superintendent at WPID and taught a class in the upper grades in the academic department in 1919
  • Became our sixth Superintendent in 1921  
    • Faced many demands and challenges: oral method, vocational education, Great Depression, education of hard-of-hearing children, and new laws
    • Had successes with teacher training, literacy, and student responsibility, and student government formed
    • Developed a strong Scouting organization among the boys and was a leader in the East Borough Council of the Boy Scouts of America
  • Received Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Grove City College, Pennsylvania in 1939 and Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Gallaudet University in 1945
  • Retired after twenty-seven years on October 31, 1946
  • Died at the age of 82 on June 6, 1960
  • Elected to the WPSD Alumni Association Hall of Fame in 1960
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2017

Elmer Read – 2017

  • Prior coming to WPSD
    • Taught at the Central New York Institution for the Deaf-Mutes in Rome, New York
  • Hiring as a teacher
    • Teacher (1906-38)
    • First Boy Scout Master (1913-38)
    • Established Boy Scout Troop 2 of Edgewood in 1913
    • His troops built several log cabins on the campus with discarded lumber, and they did experiments with electricity
  • Unable to resume his duties in September 1938 and left WPSD after 32 years of service
  • Died on March 2, 1939
  • Named to the Hall of Fame by the Alumni Association in 1955
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2017

Gregg Bowers – 2020

  • At WPSD
    • Hired as a dormitory counselor
    • Part-time dormitory counselor (1973-78)
    • Dean of Boys (January 1978-90)
    • Advisor of Varsity Letter Club (1979-92)
    • Dean of Students (1990-2007)
    • Assistant Superintendent (2008-10)
    • Chief Operating Officer (2010-14)
  • Retired in December, 2014 after 37 years of service
  • Sign name – “G” on left side chest
  • Received the Outstanding Professional Service Award at WPSD in 1996 & 2004
  • Received the Superintendent’s Award at WPSD in 2010 & 2014
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2020

Wesley Dickson – 2020

  • Graduated from WPSD in 1948
  • Enrolled Gallaudet College and graduated in 1953
  • At WPSD
    • Printing teacher (1955-82)
    • Advisor to the senior classes (1959-67)
    • Assistant Varsity Boys’ Basketball team
    • Junior Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach
  • Retired in 1982 after 27 years of service
  • Board of Trustee
    • Member (1994-2017)
    • Secretary (1 year)
    • Vice President (5 years)
  • Retired in 2017 after a total of 50 years of service to WPSD
  • Died on December 20, 2019 at the age of 90
  • Donated to the Sharing the Sharing the Future at WPSD
  • Received the Alumni Merit Award at WPSD in 2005
  • Received the Atheltic Hall of Fame in 2005
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2020

John McCune, Jr. – 2020

  • Board of Trustees (1923-72)
    • Elected as a member to take his father’s place
    • Vice President (1927-58)
    •  President (1958-72)
  • Passed on October 11, 1972
  • Served WPSD for 49 years
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2023

Vince Ruscavage – 2020

  • At WPSD
    • Teacher (March 1979-2011)
    • Taught students in the General Program, Elementary and Middle School Departments
  • Retired in 2011 after 32 years of service
  • Currently helps to organize monthly luncheons for WPSD retirees and former staff members to get together
  • His sign name is “VR” spelling on the side of the forehead
  • Received the Outstanding Professional Service Award at WPSD in 2011
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2023

Virginia Schatz – 2020

  • Supt. Sam Craig, as a member of Edgewood Presbyterian Church where Virginia was a soprano soloist, was impressed with how easy it was to read her lips as she sang and offered her a job at WPSD
  • At WPSD
    • Rhythm Teacher (1959-77)
    • Consulting Teacher of Fine Arts (1972-77 & 1984-85)
    • Director of Community Affairs (1976-78)
    • Director of Community Relations (1978-87)
  • Retired in 1987 after 28 years of service
  • Died on September 2017 at the age of 95
  • Her sign name looks like the sign for soda pop “Shot”
  • Received the Outstanding Volunteer Award at WPSD in 1997
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2023

Michael Adams – 2023

  • Hired as a physical education teacher
    • Teacher (1973-2012)
    • Varsity Soccer Coach (1973-88)
    • Varsity Letter Club Advisor (1974-75)
    • Student Council Advisor (1983-2000)
  • Retired in 2012 after 39 years of service
  • Sign name – both hands sign “A” same as gym
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2023

Rosemary Burke – 2023

  • Hired as a teacher at WPSD
    • Teacher (1947-53)
    • Supervising Teachers at Lower Primary Department (1953-62) 
    • Added her duty to administer at Nursery School (1956-62)
    • Principal at Nursery School & Primary Department (1962-70)
    • Developed the Pre-school program in 1966
    • Director of Lower School (1970-79)
    • Established the Parent-Infant Program in 1979
    • Director of Nursery School (1979-1982)        
  • Retired in 1982 after 35 years of service
  • Returned to her home in Steubenville, OH and died and buried there
  • Her sign name is hand-shaped “B” chopped on wrist twice
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2023

Dr. James Burt – 2023

  • At WPSD
    • Son of Superintendent Dr. William Burt (1889-1921)
    • Grew up on the school campus and made many friends among the deaf
    • Played  football & baseball with WPSD team (1892-94)
  • Member of the Board of Trustees since 1914
    • Had valuable knowledge of the affairs of WPSD
  • Passed away on January 19, 1952 after 38 years of service
  • Chief Surgeon at the Allegheny General Hospital
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2023

Anthony Crino – 2023

  • Enrolled WPSD but left in 1944
  • Hired as a laundry
    • Kitchen helper (19XX-48)
    • Laundry (1948-XX)
    • Add many duties such as janitor, delivery, driver, etc.
  • Retired in 1993 after 45 years of service at WPSD
  • Died on February 16, 2009, aged 85
  • Received the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2023

Dan Emerick – 2023

  • Hired as a physical education teacher
    • Physical education teacher (1979-2012)
    • Coach – Wrestling (1979-81)
    • Coach – Boys Track (1980-93)
    • Coach – Girls Track (1991-93)
    • Coach – Junior Varsity Soccer (1980-83)
    • Assistant Coach – Varsity Soccer (1984-88)
    • Supportive of special needs students and active in the Special Olympics
  • Retired in 2012 after 34 years of service
  • Spent countless hours in support of this group (Western Pennsylvania Deaf Senior Citizens), even after his parents passed away
  • Died on January 24, 2013 at the age of 57
  • Annual Fitness Walk established in 2015 to honor him
  • Received the Superintendent’s Award at WPSD in 1995
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2023

Calvin John – 2023

  • Graduated from WPSD in 1948
  • Prior coming to WPSD
    • Worked as a bakery but got laid off
  • Hired as a janitor
    • Janitor (1951-69)
    • Bakery under Five Starr Service (1969-92)
  • Retired in December 1992 after 41 years of service
  • Died on November 17, 1994 at the age of 64
  • Sign name – sign “K” from the chest to the other side
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2023

John Stanton – 2023

  • Graduated from WPSD in 1926
    • Hired as a woodshop instructor
    • Assistant woodshop instructor (1930-XX)
    • Woodshop instructor (19XX-68)
    • Scoutmaster
    • First Eagle Scout at WPSD who became a director of Boy Scout program there
  • Retired in 1968 after 38 years of service
  • His sign name was sign “1” a screw on neck
  • Passed away on March 23, 1983 at the age of 80
  • Hearing wife Margaret (Piell) Stanton, was a teacher and a director of Girl Scout program at WPSD
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2023

Margaret (Piel) Stanton – 2023

  • At WPSD
    • “Training-in-teacher” at WPSD (1926-27)
    • Teacher (1927-67)
    • Married John Stanton ’26 during the 1932-33 school year
    • Director of all Girl Scout Activities
  • Received the highest honor presented by the National Headquarters (Girl Scout) on June 9, 1957
  • Retired in 1967 after 40 years of service
  • Died on April 9, 1995 at the age of 91
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2023

Connie Stepien – 2023

  • Hired as a Dean of Girls
    • Dean of Girls (1979-90)
    • Assistant Dean of Students (1990-2007)
    • Part-time interpreter for Supt. (2007-16)
  • Retired in 2007 after 28 years of service but served WPSD for a total of 37 years
  • Died on November 21, 2021 at the age of 77
  • Her sign name is letter ”C” tapping on the chin
  • Received the Superintendent’s Award at WPSD in 1996
  • Received the Outstanding Professional Service Award at WPSD in 2005
  • Received the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2023

Provided by Stephen Rute, WPSD Class of 1974 who spend his time for the research on alumni awards. This would not have been possible without his support in our WPSD Alumni Association.