The Altoona Area High School Alumni Association has announced the winners of its Distinguished Alumni Awards that will be presented on the weekend of Oct. 23 and 24.

The awards were established in 2000 to honor graduates who have achieved greatness in their chosen fields and through public service. The five individuals chosen this year include:

n Michael G. Farrow, Ph.D., is a 1957 graduate of Altoona High School. He is one of the true pioneers in the genetic screening of the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs. He served as the director of genetics, toxicology and teratology animal testing laboratories at Wyeth Pharmaceutical Co. and expanded preclinical testing capabilities and initiated a preclinical testing program for the safety of new medical devices. He established the Genetic Toxicology Association, one of the first scientific associations in the U.S. to bring together scientists in academia, industry and government.

It was because of Farrow’s expansive scientific knowledge and his ability to translate such into practical application that he became a high demand consultant for government agencies and companies seeking approval from agencies such as the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency.

In addition to his scientific background, Farrow has composed, arranged and directed music for the Orthodox Church.

In his retirement, he has focused on his interest and love for history and preservation to write and publish an historical account of the theaters of Altoona and Blair County.

Farrow earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from Juniata College, Huntingdon; a master’s degree in genetics from West Virginia University, Morgantown,?W.Va.; and a doctor of philosophy in human genetics from West Virginia University.

n Edward E. Mackey a member of the Altoona High School class of 1959, has demonstrated excellence in leadership, dedication and commitment through his distinguished U.S. military service, private sector career and philanthropic endeavors.

A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, Mackey commanded an artillery battery in support of the 12th Marines during the First Tet Offensive of the Vietnam War. During his military service, he earned the Soldier’s Medal, Bronze Star for meritorious service in a combat zone, the Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnamese Medal of Honor, the National Defense Service Medal, the Parachutist Badge and the Ranger Tab. Upon leaving active duty, he continued his military service in the Army Reserves.

Mackey earned a masters of business administration degree from the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania and has held several financial and investment positions at the FMC Corp. and Babbitt, Meyers & Co., which later sold to Merrill Lynch Inc.

Mackey’s investment acumen, combined with his leadership abilities, have contributed to his success in the private sector.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mackey is accomplished in his philanthropic contributions to Indiana University of Pennsylvania, the city of Indiana, Altoona Area School District Foundation and the U.S. Military Class of 1964 Fund.

n Harry C. Smith is a 1951 graduate of Altoona High School. Smith graduated with vocational training specializing in metal spinning. This training provided the foundation that led to a successful and accomplished manufacturing career. He began his career with Goodyear Aircraft, where he advanced through the management training program, a program typically attended only by college graduates, to manager of factory operations analysis.

After a brief employment with Clark Equipment Co., he joined GKN Automotive Components Inc., where he retired as the first vice president and general manager of the GKN’s Alamance Facility.

Automotive Components Inc. was a new division of GKN and was the first domestic source of front-wheel-drive shafts to North American-based automobile manufactures, a technology new to the U.S.

Smith successfully organized and directed the startup of the manufacturing operations, including identifying a management team and hiring and training employees in a highly skilled automotive setting.

He was a leader that inspired enthusiasm with a vision to improve the products and processes. Many of his concepts and processes are still widely used today throughout the manufacturing industry.

Smith was instrumental in developing community training programs through the Alamance Community College to train local residents in the fine art of manufacturing CV joints. He has continued his association with the college and has been a financial supporter of it.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Smith is well respected for his community leadership, having served in the Lions Club, Council for the Akron Boy Scouts, Mogadore City Council, Alamance Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Lunch Club and chairman of the Mebane Area United Fund.

n Ronald M. Smelser is a 1960 graduate of Altoona High School. He is an accomplished scholar in German studies and history and taught at the college and university level for 45 years, 41 years at the University of Utah, until his retirement in June 2015.

He has written extensively on Germany, the Nazi Party and the Holocaust and is nationally recognized as an author and authority on Germany and its history.

The extent and scope of his knowledge and expertise led to his certification by the U.S. Attorney General as an expert historical witness for the Office of Special Investigations of the Justice Department in denaturalization and deportation cases against Nazi perpetrators. His list of published books and articles is extensive as is his list of awards, accomplishments, and honors.

Of his many accomplishments, he was awarded the Alumni Achieve-ment Award from Juniata College in 1996 and was honored by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum with the opportunity

to write a preface to its tour

book.

Smelser’s interest in Germany began in Altoona with playing in bands at the local German clubs. Upon his graduation from Altoona High School, Smelser attended Juniata College, where he earned his bachelor of arts degree. He continued his study in German universities while working toward earning a master of arts degree and doctor of philosophy from the University of Wisconsin.

n The Rev. Kenneth R. Arthur was admitted into full membership of the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1961, where he remained a member for more than 40 years. He began his pastoral ministry serving three churches over 13 years before being appointed to the United Methodist Home for Children where he was elected administrator in July 1971 until his retirement in 2006.

During his tenure, Rev. Arthur transformed the home for orphaned children into a residential care facility providing a wide array of services for abused, neglected and abandoned children. He expanded the services program and facilities to include an emergency shelter, community outreach counseling services and a foster care program.

He was well known throughout Pennsylvania and beyond as an advocate for children and youth in need. He was known as a leader, teacher and minister to those he served and a father-figure to the hundreds of children his positively affected.

His commitment to others extended into the community through his involvement in the church, various service clubs, and the state and local government. His genuine concern for people transcended all socioeconomic boundaries.

Rev. Arthur received an A.B. degree from Lycoming College in 1958 and graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary with a masters of divinity in 1961. He was recognized with numerous awards and accolades for his service to the community.

He served as chaplain to the General Assembly of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg; the Senate for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and was chaplain of the Day for the Congress of the U.S. in Washington, D.C.

Honorees will visit the Altoona Area High School on Oct. 23.

During their visit, they will speak with various groups of high school students. A visit to the Alumni Association Museum located at the Altoona Area Public Library is also planned.

They will also serve as honorary captains at the Mountain Lions home football game against Hempfield.

An awards dinner will be held on Oct. 24 in the Soho Room at The Casino at Lakemont.

Tickets for the event are $35 and can be purchased from the AAHS Alumni Office in the Altoona Area High School, 1415 Sixth Ave., Altoona, PA 16602 or on the AAHS Alumni website,

The association has recognized 45 Distinguished Alumni since the program began in 2000. A complete list of past recipients can be found on the AAHS Alumni website. For more information, contact Paula Foreman, executive director, at 946-8424.