(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam School District has announced its 2022 Wall of Fame Award Recipients. Each year a committee selects an Outstanding Alumni, given to a school district graduate in recognition of the honoree’s exceptional accomplishments, as well as several Friends of Education awards, which recognizes individuals and an organization who have given distinguished service to the district and its students.
Margaret Lamoreaux Macfarlane has been selected as the Outstanding Alumni:
Margaret Lamoreaux Macfarlane is a 1934 graduate of Beaver Dam High School where she graduated at the age of 16. She moved to Washington DC immediately following graduation to work in the clerical department at the Agricultural Adjustment Administration.
In 1935, she started at the National Archives as an assistant to the Head Archivist. She studied to become an accredited professional archivist and was promoted to the position of Junior Archivist. While working at the National Archives, she took pre-law courses at George Washington University.
From there, she was accepted to National University Law School in Washington DC where she graduated with a with a law degree in 1941. She worked at the Board of Economic Warfare and when the war ended, she began her career with the United States Government Accountability Office.
She was one of the first female attorneys with the Index Digest Section Corporate Attorney’s Office. During her career, she served as Chief of the Legislative Digest Section, Chief of the Index Digest Section, and Chief of Legal Reference. She retired as Chief of Legal Reference in 1971.
She received many awards and accolades and was the first woman to receive the highest award, the Comptroller General’s Distinguished Service Award. After her retirement, Margaret returned to Beaver Dam where she served the community and state. She served as legal research counsel for the Wisconsin Hospital Association, served on the Beaver Dam City Board of Appeals, was secretary of the Dodge County Historical Society, secretary of Chapter 1091 of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.
Margaret also was a member of the AAUW Beaver Dam Branch, Dodge County Bar Association, Wisconsin Hospital Society, Dodge County Friends of Animals, and Partners of the Beaver Dam Hospital. In 1990, she was part of a video honoring women who blazed a trail for women in the Government Accountability Office. Margaret is a true inspiration to all, especially women and girls.
Friends of Education include Bev Beal-Loeck:
Bev Beal-Loeck is a true advocate for children. During her 27 years on the Board of Education, she worked diligently to ensure students had opportunities for success in productive learning environments. She has also made a difference in students’ lives through her time as a Junior Achievement volunteer.
Her involvement in the community is child-focused, whether it is the youth-centered activities she plans through Downtown Beaver Dam, Inc. events and Kiwanis efforts, or ensuring kids have healthy opportunities through her service on the Board at the YMCA of Dodge County, Bev ensures that it is for the benefit of children.
Gale Prinsen:
Gale Prinsen continues to share his interest in nature and the environment with students since retiring from his 30-year career in teaching. He has been instrumental in sustaining the Arbor Day celebration and tree planting at
Jefferson Elementary School. Gale’s commitment to ensuring that students know the importance of planting trees has allowed the tradition to continue for 70 years. He loves to share his knowledge of nature with students to help them become better stewards of the environment. Gale created the courtyard at Jefferson Elementary School for students to learn about the impact that trees and various plants have on nature and he maintains it for students to see every day.
American Association of University Women-Beaver Dam Branch:
Education is at the heart of American Association of University Women’s mission. The Beaver Dam Branch began in 1933 with a value and understanding of the power of education. They promote this value and understanding through the number of scholarships they have awarded to deserving young women and the educational events and programs they have sponsored for young women and girls. AAUW-Beaver Dam Branch has promoted and sponsored programs that improve literacy, expand post-secondary education, and increase the number of women in STEM fields.
They have made donations to the elementary school libraries to support literacy, sponsored “Project Girl” curriculum at the Middle School, and numerous other programs and opportunities to make a difference in the lives of young women and girls.
Award plaques will be permanently displayed on the high school’s Wall Of Fame in the common’s area.
