The West Liberty University alumni association will add the names of three distinguished alumni, Jack Adams ’63, Joan Campbell ’62 and Dr. Melvin Sorkowitz ’62, to its Wall of Honor at an induction ceremony breakfast, 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 13 in the R. Emmett Boyle Conference Center.
The ceremony is part of the Hilltopper Homecoming Weekend 2012.
“The Wall of Honor serves as a reminder and inspiration to our students and to the entire campus community. It offers a public display that is evidence of how far a West Liberty graduate can go in science, education, business, the arts, public service and so many other fields of endeavor. We congratulate our 2012 honorees,” said Shane Stack ‘10, WLU alumni director.
Adams was born in Washington, Pa. and is now a resident of McMurray, Pa. After graduating from West Liberty in 1963 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in marketing, he began his career in business with Retail Credit Co. (Equifax). In 1967, Adams then embarked on a 30-year career with Exxon Company, USA, in marketing, real estate and engineering.
Over the course of 23 years, he held several positions in Exxon’s marketing division, including leasing of retail properties, fuel sales and automotive products. In 1989, he moved to Exxon real estate and engineering and was responsible for Exxon real estate and fuel distribution in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Northern Delaware. Adams was also responsible for environmental issues and emergency response in these regions.
Retiring from Exxon in 1996, Adams became president of SJR’s Team Supreme, Inc., in Phoenixville/Valley Forge, Pa., which became a nationally recognized leader in Exxon convenience store marketing. After 13 years, he retired in 2009.
Among his list of accomplishments, Adams is a 32nd degree Mason and member of the Scottish Rite of Pittsburgh and Lodge 623, Washington, Pa. The organization recently recognized him for 25 years of service.
Also a Vietnam War veteran, Adams proudly served for five years as sergeant and squad leader with the U.S. Army Reserves 630th Trans. Co., Washington, Pa. The company was one of five activated during the war and he spent 1968-1969 in Phu Bai, running convoys to Hue and the DMZ.
While at West Liberty, Adams was a founding brother of the Delta Omega chapter of Delta Sigma Pi International Business Fraternity. The organization originated sales of school flags, shirts, etc. and was so profitable it led the school in merchandise sales, which resulted in the sales effort moving to the bookstore.
Adams is a member of the Gary E. West College of Business Advisory Board, chairman of the alumni campaign for the Gary E. West College of Business, former board member of the WLU Alumni Association and current treasurer for the Pittsburgh Chapter of the WLU Alumni Association.
Campbell was born in Wheeling and is a resident of Clearview. She graduated from Warwood High School as valedictorian and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree at West Liberty, where she once again was selected as valedictorian. She then earned a master’s degree at West Virginia University.
She began her career as an executive secretary with Wheeling Steel Corporation, but her real love was teaching at the elementary level. She went on to have an outstanding career of 30 years as an educator in Ohio County Schools.
In 1984, Campbell was named the Ohio County Teacher of the Year. She was known for her annual theatrical/musical productions, which she wrote and directed at Warwood Grade School.
During her tenure as First Lady of West Liberty, from 1984-1995, she initiated a number of college-wide programs including: campus beautification projects, a May-Morning breakfast for graduating females, an annual holiday party for campus sororities, recognition dinners for student groups such as theater, music, athletics and others. She also served as advisor to her sorority, Alpha Xi Delta.
Campbell also hosted holiday galas for the alumni association, the faculty, the WLSC Foundation Board of Directors and the West Liberty advisory board. She was active in promoting and assisting the Elderhostel Program, formerly hosted by West Liberty.
Campbell continues to be involved with the University as a lifetime member of the Alumni Association, a continuous member of the President’s Circle and a member of the Nathan Shotwell Society. She is active in the Wheeling community as a member of the Thursday Music Club and King’s Daughters.
She is married to Dr. Clyde D. Campbell, president emeritus of West Liberty, and she is the mother of Leslie A. Campbell, special education teacher for Ohio County Schools. She has three grandchildren: Emily, Hannah and Colby.
Dr. Sorkowitz was born in Akron, Ohio. He earned his bachelor’s of arts degree at West Liberty and went on to earn a master’s degree in audiology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he was a vocational rehabilitation scholarship recipient. He also attended Louisiana State University and Temple University, earning a doctoral degree in audiology and completing his studies in 2003.
After graduation, he became the director and originator of the audiology program at the Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia. Because audiology was a relatively young profession, he became an important resource for the ear, nose and throat specialists in the region.
Sorkowitz and his wife, Sondra, a business professional, decided that the hearing aid profession needed a new direction. They incorporated Audiological Consultants, Inc. of Pennsylvania in 1969 and grew their business to include seven privately owned offices serving the hearing impaired in the Greater Philadelphia area.
In 1972, Sorkowitz made a movie, “Hearing Aids, How to Fit Them,” which won an award that year for the most important contribution for medicine and surgery through the field of cinematography. Sorkowitz went on to become a national presenter and guest lecturer for hearing aid manufacturers meetings and otolaryngologists conventions.
As the hearing aid field rapidly changed and grew, audiologists and otologists began to dispense hearing aids themselves and Sorkowitz was involved in the growth of this medical advance. From 1978 to 1984, Sorkowitz owned and operated manufacturing facilities in both Colorado Springs, Co. and Los Angeles, Ca.
In 1984, the Sorkowitz family, which includes two daughters Elissa and Adina, moved to Boca Raton, Fla., and opened two professional audiology/hearing aid offices.
