Three inducted in Central Lee Hall

DONNELLSON, IOWA — The Central Lee Community School District has inducted three new members to its Academic Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023.
This year, the Academic Hall of Fame honors a Central Lee class of 1992 graduate, a Montrose High School class of 1955 graduate, and a long-time Central Lee educator. Each of the inductees has left an indelible mark on the district and the broader community.
“Our Academic Hall of Fame inductees have made a lasting impact within Central Lee and beyond,” said Dr. Andy Crozier, Central Lee Superintendent. "We are privileged to recognize these outstanding individuals, including two graduates with impressive careers and an educator who continues to make significant contributions in our community.”
Inductee Judith Burgin dedicated 38 years as a Central Lee educator, teaching both Spanish and English. In addition to her teaching duties, Burgin served as an advisor to the Spanish Club, directed the senior class play for several years, and acted as a volunteer liaison for foreign exchange students. She emphasized real-world experience by frequently studying abroad, encouraging students to broaden their horizons beyond southeast Iowa.
During her tenure, Burgin provided students with unique opportunities, including attending Spanish plays and achieving success in the Iowa AATSP contests held at Central College in Pella. She also organized trips to museums in Chicago and multiple excursions to Mexico. Burgin's students, in turn, gave back to the community by tutoring younger students in Spanish and volunteering in the Salvation Army's Christmas Bucket Drive.
Jerry Junkins, posthumously inducted this year, was a 1955 graduate of Montrose High School who went on to become the president, chairman, and CEO of Texas Instruments (TI) from 1988 until his passing in 1996. Junkins, who was the salutatorian of his high school class and married the class valedictorian, Sally Schevers, graduated from Iowa State University in 1959 with a degree in electrical engineering. After relocating to Dallas, he joined Texas Instruments while pursuing a master's degree in engineering administration.
During Junkin’s leadership at TI, the company's sales doubled from $6 billion to $13 billion, and the defense business under his guidance earned the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Junkins was also a fervent advocate for education reform and played a key role in the creation of Head Start programs in Texas schools.
Throughout his career, Junkins received numerous accolades for his contributions to education, including having the Jerry R. Junkins Elementary School in Dallas named in his honor. Iowa State University established the endowed Jerry R. Junkins Chair position in 1996 to annually honor an outstanding engineering professor.
A graduate of the Central Lee class of 1992, Phil Tweedy distinguished himself as a high-achieving student during his high school years. His accolades included winning the Physics Bowl, receiving the Outstanding Senior Science Student award, and earning the Presidential Academic Fitness Award. Additionally, Tweedy was a part of the 1989 Iowa State Baseball All-Tournament Team, and his FFA team achieved gold at the state convention.
Tweedy graduated magna cum laude with a degree in chemistry from Monmouth College, where he excelled as a three-year Academic All-Conference 1st baseman for the Fighting Scots. He later obtained a medical degree from the University of Iowa, where he actively participated in the Medical School Ambassador Program and served as the President of the Internal Medicine Interest Group from 1999 to 2000.
Currently, Tweedy serves as an internal medicine doctor and primary care consultant, known for his contributions to coaching, mentoring, and community leadership. He has been involved in coaching youth baseball, YMCA flag football, and Upwards basketball, as well as hosting students for job shadows in his office. Tweedy resides in Hannibal with his wife, Tory, and their sons.
The Academic Hall of Fame was established as a platform to honor, preserve, and celebrate Central Lee's rich history and its tradition of academic excellence. It highlights the significance of high-achieving graduates and former staff members who left a lasting impact on the school community during their time at Central Lee.
Community members, families, staff, and alumni are encouraged to nominate individuals for Hall of Fame recognition. To be eligible for nomination, individuals must have graduated from Central Lee schools or have been a staff member and should be at least five years removed from their association with the district. A committee reviews all nominations and determines each year's inductees. Central Lee also has Athletic and Fine Arts Halls of Fame.
The Central Lee Community School District's Hall of Fame ceremony to honor the 2022 and 2023 inductees will take place on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Central Lee High School.