BILL HUGHES
1975 Graduate
MPGA
Nominated by: Tammy Hughes ‘76

After attending Bowling Green State University on a golf scholarship, Mr. Hughes moved to South Florida to chase his dream of becoming a PGA Professional. After roles as the Assistant Golf Professional at The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida and Pine Tree Golf Club, in Boynton Beach, Florida, Mr. Hughes became a PGA of America Member in 1984 and the Head Golf Professional at Shawnee Country Club in Lima, Ohio. In 1995, Bill became a member of the illustrious group of PGA Master Professionals.

With a passion for the development and growth of the game for over 30 years, Mr. Hughes has been significant in the development and growth of junior golf across the United States. He has held Executive Board positions with the Lima Junior Golf Association, Tennessee Junior Golf Association, North Texas Junior Golf Tour, and currently sits on the boards of the American Junior Golf Association and the North Florida Golf Association. Bill has been recognized by his peers and the PGA of America with the “Junior Golf Leadership” award on more than one occasion. In 2013, Mr. Hughes was the recipient of the first annual American Junior Golf Association “General Manager of the Year” Award.

Mr. Hughes was hired by the PGA TOUR in 1996 to oversee their club operations in Memphis, Tennessee at TPC Southwind, annual host site of the FEDEX St. Jude’s Classic. It was there that Mr. Hughes discovered his passion for “giving back”. Throughout his tenures as General Manager with the PGA TOUR in Cincinnati, Ohio at TPC River’s Bend, Dallas, Texas at TPC Craig Ranch, and currently Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida at the famed TPC Sawgrass, Home of THE PLAYERS Championship, Mr. Hughes has partnered with the local, regional, and national golf communities in raising hundreds of millions of dollars for local charities that truly save and change the lives of those that need it the most. 

In 2013, Mr. Hughes was once again recognized by his peers in the golf industry and the PGA of America with the prestigious “Bill Strausbaugh Award” for community involvement and philanthropic engagement and the “PGA Professional of the Year” Award recognizing the PGA golf professional that best exemplifies the core values put forth by the organization founded in 1916. Mr. Hughes was recently awarded the “Bill Strausbaugh Award” for the second time in 2014. 

Bill continues to manage and oversee TPC Sawgrass while being very involved with a number of non-profit organizations in the North Florida area including board positions with: HEAL (Heal Every Autistic Life), ACS (American Cancer Society), Girl Scouts of America, JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), True Blue (Navy Families in Need), and serves as the current chair for the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council. Mr. Hughes also travels the United States as a Keynote and Motivational Speaker for organizations like: National Golf Course Owners Association, Crittenden Golf Conferences, Club Managers of America, PGA of America, DuPont Chemical, General Motors, NASCAR, and many others. 

Bill is partnered for life with his beautiful wife, Molly, since 1986 and enjoys the blessings of their two children, Kelsey (24) and Chipper (22).

MARILYNNE SHANKS ELLERY
1941 Graduate
Posthumously 1923 – 2001
Nominated by: Jane Shanks Rimer ’45, Elizabeth Rimer ’76, and Amy Rimer Largresse ‘79

Marilynne attended Coy Elementary School and graduated from Clay High School in 1941. After graduation, she attended Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio where she began her lifetime membership in Alpha Chi Omega Sorority when she was initiated into the Alpha Sigma Chapter in 1942. She received a Bachelor of Science in Education in1945.

After graduation she taught elementary school for five years at Maumee City Schools and ten years at Toledo Public Schools. From 1960 – 1961 she was a teaching fellow and a member of the University of Toledo faculty after receiving her Master of Education Degree from there in 1960.

In 1961, she was the Elementary Supervisor of the Bath School District in Lima, Ohio. In 1963, she became an Assistant Professor at Ohio Northern University and served in this capacity for 15 years. Marilynne was initiated into Mortar Board in 1975 in recognition of high scholarship, leadership and service. She ended her career as an elementary teacher in the Toledo Public Schools.

Throughout Marilynne’s career she was active in many professional organizations, among them being Kappa Delta Pi, Delta Kappa Gamma, Pi Lambda Theta, Association of American University Professors and Who’s Who of American Women. Some of her honors include, Designed Models for Pre-Student Teaching Lab Participation Program and the Edward Drummond Libbey Graduate Scholarship. She appeared in the 1968 “Ohio Lives” which is the Buckeye State Biographical Record and then in the 1971 “Outstanding Educators of America” in recognition of her contributions to the advancement of higher education and service to the community.