Skip to main content
  1. About Us
  2. Alumni
  3. Distinguished Wall of Fame

Distinguished Wall of Fame

Distinguished Wall of Fame

The Distinguished Wall of Fame aims to recognize SMSD graduates who have made significant contributions to our community, deaf culture, and society. Select a name to view detailed information.
 

Class of 1925

  • Russell Martina
    Class of 1925

    • Graduate and Retired teacher from St. Mary's School for the Deaf
    • 1925-1970 Teacher, Special Class.  Continued interest in photography,  took many pictures of school activities for yearbooks
    • 1929-1938 Taught Wood Finishing in New Trade Building (now named Russell Martina Industrial Arts Building)
    • 1926-1928 Taught Sign Painting, Woodworking, Archery
    • 1925-1932 Assistant Supervisor in Senior Boys, Teacher, Coach in Sports Program
    • Member of NYSAED; American Instructors of the Deaf, National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, Buffalo Civic Association of the Deaf, Buffalo Club of the Deaf, and Buffalo Catholic Deaf Society
    • 1973 Received NYSAED Honorary Life Membership Award in appreciation of service to the Deaf (1925-1973)
    • 1944 Received Silver Beaver Award, Scoutmaster’s Key Award, and Diocesan St. George Award
    • 1944 School Photographer; Leader of the Deaf; received the Monsignor O’Connor Award
    • 1931- Organized Boy Scout Troop 40 at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf; Scout Master until 1972
    • 1932-1972 Took many leadership training courses for Boy Scouts 
    • Married to Stella Potocki and daughter Ann

Class of 1945

  • Jeannie Suzba
    Class of 1945

    • 1987- Graduate and retired Sewing Teacher at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf 
    • Attended St. Mary’s School for the Deaf throughout her school career
    • Talented seamstress and quilter
    • Her talents and skill were evidenced by her students’ creations for fashion shows, school play costumes, and graduation gowns at St. Mary’s
    • Became a Sewing Teacher for St. Mary’s School for the Deaf after her graduation
    • As a High School Senior, she taught sewing classes to the Junior girls and was on Yearbook Staff.
    • In High School, she performed in school plays, was on the CYO Basketball Team, SMSD Girls Basketball Team, and was an officer for The Athletic Association.
    • Took numerous Bernia Sewing Machine classes and Aurora Sewing Center classes; earned Singer Sewing Pin
    • Wrote and illustrated a book for Deaf children, titled “Sewing for Beginners”
    • Former Assistant Leader of Troop 24
    • Former performer and member of Deaf Dramatic Club of Buffalo
    • Former member International Catholic Deaf Association Chapter #2
    • Former member of New York Association of Educators of the Deaf (NYSAED) and Empire State Association of the Deaf (ESAD)

Class of 1950

  • Terri Pordum
    Class of 1950

    • Member of the Board of Directors for Deaf Adult Services
    • Member of the Board of Trustees, St. Mary’s School for the Deaf, Buffalo, NY
    • Strong advocate for the rights of Deaf people in Western New York.  Worked to improve closed captioning and interpreter services
    • Recognized and honored for her strong leadership and commitments in the community 
    • Received a leadership award from the National Association of the Deaf
    • President of the Buffalo Civic Association of the Deaf (BCAD) for over 15 years
    • BCAS representative on the Empire State Association of the Deaf Board of Directors
    • Chaired the ESAD Student Scholarship Award Program
    • Chaired several fundraisers for the BCAS
    • Retired from Bell’s Supermarkets after many years of employment 
    • Married former SMSD graduate Don Pordum, Sr. (1995) and raised one hearing son, Dan Pordum, Jr.

  • Alice Guinane
    Class of 1950

    • 1980 graduate of Erie Community College
    • After raising her children, she went back to college 30 years after graduating from SMSD.
    • Certified in Leadership Training, Gallaudet University
    • Helped to establish Deaf Adult Services in Western NY
    • 1980-1990 Past President of the Buffalo Civic Association of the Deaf
    • Member of the Board of Directors of Deaf Adult Services for many years
    • Strong advocate for the rights of Deaf people in Western NY.  Worked to improve closed captioning and interpreter services
    • Recognized and honored for her strong leadership and commitments in the community
    • Served in leadership positions including President of  the Empire State Association of the Deaf
    • Retired from KeyBank
    • Married and raised 2 sons and 4 grandchildren

  • Daniel Pordum
    Class of 1950

    • USA Deaf Basketball International Relations Director
    • Founded the USA Flag Football Association for the Deaf
    • Coached USA – Deaf Olympic Basketball team to hold metal in Romania in 1977
    • 1950- WNY All Catholic All Star Team; 1st player to break 1000 point career total
    • Excelled on baseball and football teams in 1947-1950 at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf
    • National (AAAD) and International (CISS) Leader of Athletics for the Deaf
    • 1993 Leadership Award – SMSDAA Hall of Fame
    • 1988 Inducted into St. Mary’s School for the Deaf Sports Hall of Fame
    • 1985 Inducted American Athletic Association of the Deaf, AAAD Hall of Fame
    • 1985 Inducted Eastern Athletic Association of the Deaf, EAAD Hall of Fame
    • 1977 Honored by the AAAD for Leadership 
    • 1950 Honored by the EAAD for Athletic Achievement
    • Married to Terri Pordum (Class of 1950), father of Dan Jr.

Class of 1951

  • Richard Miskell
    Class of 1951

    • 1982- Worked at the U.S. Postal Service for 21 years
    • 1964- Worked at Courier Express Newspaper as a printer for 17 years
    • 1961- Worked at Westinghouse for four years
    • 1955- Worked at Harrison Radiator for four years
    • 1951- Worked at Wurlizer for four years
    • Served as President of Buffalo Club for the Deaf for 13 years
    • Served as President and Vice President of Central Athletic Association of the Deaf (CAAD) for 11 years
    • Athletic Director for Buffalo Club of the Deaf for eight years and Law Chairman for one year
    • Past Host Chairman for Athletic Association of Deaf Tournament and Central Athletic Association of Deaf (CAAD) and Eastern tournament
    • Member of Buffalo Club of Deaf
    • Member of Buffalo Deaf Senior Citizens
    • 1994- Inducted into Buffalo Club of the Deaf Hall of Fame
    • 2000- Inducted into Greater Lakes Deaf Bowling Association (GLDBA) Hall of Fame
    • 2002- Inducted into Eastern Deaf Bowling Association Hall of Fame
    • 1993- Received Leadership of the Year Award from St. Mary’s School for the Deaf Alumni Association
    • Married to Joan Miskell ‘53, has 5 grown children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren

Class of 1953

  • William Flanders
    Class of 1953

    • Worked at Trico Products Company in Buffalo, NY as Leadman; promoted to Foreman in 1978
    • 1991- “St. Mary’s School for the Deaf Sunshine Award” recipient
    • 1989- “Dedicated Service to Deaf Community” Award recipient
    • Former Basketball Coach for Buffalo Club of the Deaf and Erie Silent Club; both teams winning championships
    • 1959- Erie Silent Club: EAAD Champion, EAAD Hall of Fame Coach, AAAD Champion and AAAD Coach of the Tournament
    • 1955- Buffalo Club of the Deaf: 40 points in three games, EAAD All-Star Team and EAAD competition
    • Helped to form the Buffalo Club of the Deaf and was active in the campaign to purchase a building in Buffalo for a Club House
    • Served as Vice President and President for Buffalo Club of the Deaf
    • Serviced as an officer in many organizations serving the Deaf Lions Club Member 
    • Married to Audrey (Mekus) ‘53 and has five children

  • Peggy O'Gorman Hlibok
    Class of 1953

    • 1990-Doctoral Student, Union Institute & University, Cincinnati, Ohio 
    • 1985- Certifications in Deaf Culture and Community Education, Gallaudet University
    • 1980- Masters in Deaf Education, New York University 
    • 1959- Bachelors of Art in Sociology, Gallaudet University 
    • Retired Educator, from five schools serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
    • Member of NYS Commissioner’s Advisory Panel for Children with Disabilities for 15 years, including the passage of American Sign Language (ASL) as a second language, curriculum and evaluation development of ASL for High School courses
    • First Director of the Deaf Senior Citizen Program, Camp Mark 7, Old Forge, NY
    • Delegate to the National White House Conference on the Handicapped
    • Member to the State of New York on the Handicapped, Albany, NY
    • Deaf Adult Program Coordinator of La Guardia Community College, NYC
    • President and Secretary of Empire State Association of the Deaf
    • Delegate to National Association of the Deaf
    • Downstate Coordinator of Special School of the Future for 4201 Schools
    • Presenter at college, schools for the deaf, conferences, libraries and hospitals
    • Research Assistant, New York University 
    • Co-founder, Mental Health Association of the Deaf, Inc., NYC
    • 1998- Leadership Award from St. Mary's School for the Deaf Alumni Association
    • Married to Albert J. Hlibok with four deaf children and eleven grandchildren

Class of 1955

  • Kevin Milligan
    Class of 1955

    • 1970- Masters in Special Education, Lewis and Clark College
    • 1967- Bachelors in Physical Education, Gallaudet University
    • Taught for 4 years at Washington State School for the Deaf
    • Taught for 20 years at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf and retired in 1991
    • 2005- Inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame
    • 1995- Inducted into the Gallaudet University Athletic Hall of Fame (Basketball and Soccer) lead teams to two great ten-victory seasons
    • 1999- Inducted into the Eastern Association of Deaf Bowlers Hall of Fame
    • 1996- Inducted into the Buffalo Club of Deaf Hall of Fame
    • Player of the Year 1996 for Buffalo Club of the Deaf
    • His uniform #24 was retired at Gallaudet after scoring 1,681 career points and 47 in one game
    • Catholic High School Basketball All-American
    • Inducted into American Athletic Association for the Deaf Hall of Fame
    • 1993- Inducted to the SMSD Sports of Fame
    • Led the U.S. to a Gold Metal in the Pan American Games for the Deaf in Venezuela (1975)
    • Led the United States Deaf Basketball Team to a Gold Metal in the 1961 Deaf Olympics in Finland
    • Coached various teams at Buffalo Club of the Deaf
    • Member of the Board of Directors of Deaf Adult Services
    • Involved in various Deaf organizations in Western New York
    • Married Millie (nee Velez) (Class of 1966), raised 2  children and has 4 grandchildren

  • William Schwall
    Class of 1957

    • 1978-2000- Retired as a Customer Service Technician for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Little Rock, Arkansas
    • First Deaf Telephone Installer in Little Rock, Arkansas
    • Received Southwestern Bell Award “Appreciation of Your Dedication and Personal Sacrifice Restoring Service during the Ice Storm in 1999”
    • Recieved Deaf Employee of the Year Award from Superspeech
    • 1968-1978- Printer for Sun Times in Chicago, Illinois
    • 1959-1968- Printer for United Airlines in Chicago, Illinois
    • 1993- Inducted into St. Mary’s School for the Deaf Hall of Fame
    • 1992- Chairman of National Bass Association of the Deaf (NBAD) tournament
    • 1965- Member of the USA Basketball Team, which won the Gold Metal at the International Games for the Deaf (WGD)
    • 1961- Member of the USA Basketball Team, received Gold Metal
    • 1959- Leading scorer in the AAAD Tournament with the Chicago Club of the Deaf
    • Participated for various American Athletic Association of the Deaf (AAAD) member teams for eight years, starting with Milwaukee Silent Club in 1958
    • Excelled in basketball at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf; led his team to two straight ESSAD titles in 1956 and 1957
    • Received numerous Sports Awards for Basketball
    • Married to Nancy Kellar; daughter Kristen; two sons, William, Jr. and Walter; six grandchildren (three hearing and three deaf)