October 7, 2009 – Our Town – Delaware

Anthony Heald ’71 (left) and Richard Gordin ’73 (right) are shown with OWU research professor Harry Bahrick and Phyllis Bahrick, who were present to receive an award for their daughter, Lorraine, who could not attend the event.

Photo by Dianne Macasu ’10

Honored Alumni
Two Ohio Wesleyan graduates inducted into Delaware Schools Distinguished Hall of Honor

Ohio Wesleyan graduates Richard Gordin Jr. ’73 and Anthony Heald ’71 were inducted into the Delaware City Schools Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor on Oct. 5 during a ceremony held in the Rutherford B. Hayes High School auditorium.

Richard Gordin Jr. is a professor in the health, physical education and recreation department at Utah State University. He has worked as a sports psychology consultant for numerous athletic teams. He is the son of Paula and Richard “Dick” Gordin, OWU emeritus faculty member and former swim coach.

Gordin says that his family has played a great role throughout his life. He also urged the students to cherish the importance of a smaller town like Delaware.

“I am lucky enough to have my family. It takes a small town to have a big family,” says Gordin. “You’ve got to know what you have here in Delaware. Take your time, nourish it, and look around you. The people sitting beside you are the ones you’ll remember for the rest of your life.”

Gordin is also the former chair of the certification committee of the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) and is listed on the sports psychology registry of the United States Olympic Committee for 2008-2012 quadrennial. He also has consulted in the business world for Bank of America, ING, The Hartford, Transamerica Retirement Services, Nationwide, and Pioneer Investments. In 2010, he will be the sports psychologist for the USA Combined Nordic Ski Team in Vancouver and will serve as the first visiting professor in department of psychology at Jagiellonian University in Poland.

Anthony Heald began his law practice in 1974 and has practiced in courts throughout Ohio at all levels—including the Ohio Supreme Court. He has taught business law courses at OWU and Columbia College of Missouri.

Heald said he was mentored by coaches, good friends and his family. “They taught me the values of hard work, generosity, self-discipline and the excitement of discovery.”

His volunteer efforts within the Delaware community have included organizations such as the Delaware Planning Commission, United Way of Delaware County, the Council on Alcoholism, Touchstone, Family Promises, and OWU athletics. He also served on the Delaware City Schools Board of Education. He is most proud of his various works with the youth organizations where he has served as coach, teacher and supporter.

Heald and Gordin join the ranks of ten other previously inducted members of the Delaware City Schools Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor.

– Dianne Macasu ’10