Newton High School names 2008 Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award honorees

Three Newton High School Alumni will be inducted into the Lifetime Achievement Hall of Fame during a reception at Santa Fe Middle School at 10 a.m. Saturday. This year’s recipients include two highly decorated servicemen and a champion for elder care reform.

The 2008 Newton High School Alumni Award Recipients are Vice Admiral Michael K. Loose, a 1971 graduate; Randall E. Mathews, a 1965 graduate; and Stephen J. Shields, who graduated in 1974.

In addition to the brunch on Saturday morning, the three will be recognized during commencement activities, Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. at Athletic Park. Both events are open to the public

Vice Admiral

Michael K. Loose

Vice Admiral Michael K. Loose is the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics. He holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from the University of Kansas; a masters of science in civil engineering from the University of Washington; and has completed the University of Michigan executive program.

Prior to this appointment, Vice Admiral Loose has held numerous administrative positions within the U.S Navy in the areas of civil engineering and public works. He is a Seabee Combat Warfare Officer, a registered Professional Civil Engineer in the state of California, a member of the Acquisition Professional Community, and a Fellow in the Society of American Military Engineers.

Vice Admiral Loose’s career decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (five awards), the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), the Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), and the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards). Due to his service responsibilities he is unable to attend the awards ceremony but will be honored in absentia.

Randall E. Mathews

Randall E. Mathews enlisted in the Air Force immediately upon graduating from Newton High School in 1965. Mathews served stints in Korea and Vietnam before leaving active duty in 1969. He then joined the Army National Guard and in 2001 was reactivated for deployment to Bosnia, where he served as the Inspector General to Task Force Eagle. In 2003, He was again called upon to serve as the Inspector General for the 3rd Command Support Group (COSCOM) in Kuwait. During his service in Kuwait, Mathews was elevated to the rank of full Colonel. He also received several medals including the Bronze Star for service and actions in Iraq. Mathews retired from the military in 2007 at the age of 60.

In the years between his tours of active duty, Mathews earned a masters degree in education from Wichita State University, and A PhD in education from California Western University. Following a 13-year teaching career as an industrial arts instructor, he accepted a position in the private sector and has worked for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, now Spirit Aerosystems, for the past 23 years as a training instructor and administrator.

Stephen J. Shields

Stephen J. Shields was a member of the first class to attend all four years and graduate from the then-new Newton High School, in 1974. Following high school he attended Kansas State University where he double majored in social work and gerontology.

Shields has served as the president and CEO of Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community in Manhattan since 1994. He is a published author, international keynote speaker and educator on leadership within the healthcare sector and has received numerous professional and civic awards.

He is the creator of the healthcare “Household Model,” a resident directed service model that promotes self-directed work teams in household communities, to replace the traditional nursing home model. Shields has traveled the country presenting training and workshops on implementing the Household Model in retirement communities, and has been featured on several television news forums related to the need for change in long-term retirement care.