The Corbin Independent School District has announced the latest inductees into the Corbin Hall of Honor, including a former teacher, a veterinarian, and a former board of education member and her husband, who co-own a local physical therapy business.
This year’s inductees are Ann Hacker, Greg Daniels, Lisa Cleary and her husband, Kim Cleary.
This is the fourth year that the board has selected members for the hall of honor.
The bylaws for membership state that the board can select up to four candidates each year. There are only two criteria for hall of honor membership.
The person must either be a Corbin High School graduate, who has done exceptionally well in their chosen career and done great things, or, they are someone who has come to this district and done great things in the school system.
“The board wants to recognize those folks. We have a lot of very deserving folk,” noted Superintendent Dave Cox.
The board seeks nominations once a year for the hall of honor with an announcement through its website. There is a committee at the central office that then screens or vets applications, and makes recommendations to the board.
The inductees will be invited to a future board meeting for recognition or induction into the hall of honor. Then they will have individual plaques placed at Corbin High School in their honor.
Ann Hacker
Hacker was a 37-year teacher in the Corbin Independent School District teaching a variety of subjects from 6th-12th grades. She created and implemented several curriculums throughout her career and many new initiatives.
She is credited with beginning the Future Homemakers Association (FHA) club and was the initial student advisor. She served as the state, regional and national president of the Kentucky Home Economics Association (now known as Family and Consumer Sciences).
Hacker implemented the “electronic baby” project in which students took a home a pre-programmed electronic baby and had to care for it for a 24-hour period. This exercise gave students the idea of what the responsibility of raising a child might entail.
She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and Union College. Hacker is responsible for educating thousands of Corbin students in survival skills, such as cooking, sewing, parenting, etc. She was also known to be a vibrant leader in all school settings.
She still resides in Corbin with her husband Bill.
Greg Daniels
Daniels graduated from Corbin High School in 1976 and attended the University of Kentucky graduating in 1980, Magna Cum Laude. He then completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University in June of 1983 also graduating Magna Cum Laude.
Daniels received his Master of Science degree in Veterinary Bioscience in May of 1988 from the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois. He did his residency in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery in addition to Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Radiology at University of Illinois.
Daniels has over 15 honors and citations from various colleges, such as the University of Tennessee, the Virginia Veterinarian Medical Association and the Maryland College of Veterinarian Medicine. He received his American College of Veterinary Radiology Board Certification in 1987.
Daniels has been the lead researcher on several grants/awards with many different organizations. Daniels also has held the office of President of the American College of Veterinary Radiology, President of the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians, as well as numerous committees and advisory boards.
He has had many university appointments, including being named the Interim Dean at the Virginia and Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. He has served on many committees and hosted numerous graduate students and residents in his illustrious career.
Daniels, a Corbin High School graduate, has risen to the top of his profession and has spent his professional life adding to the value of his life’s work.
“We are proud to call him a Redhound,” the school district wrote in a release.
Lisa and Kim Cleary
Lisa Cleary was a member (and vice-chair) of the Corbin Board of Education for 17 years. Lisa was a well-respected member of the Corbin Board of Education and oversaw tremendous growth in the Corbin district. She was recognized as a voice of reason and a tremendous student/teacher advocate.
From a professional standpoint, Lisa and her husband (Kim) ran a very successful physical therapy clinic (Corbin Physical Therapy). Both Lisa and Kim are physical therapists themselves and readily shared their expertise with any student or staff member of Corbin Independent Schools.
They were known to open their clinic at all hours in order to help a student/athlete or staff member. The Clearys were also very strong advocates for education and often spoke to and encouraged students during their clinic time. It was not unusual to visit their clinic and see community folks, athletes, students and staff members connected to our local school system.
It was also common for the Clearys to treat folks from other school districts as well. Many, if not most, of the “Corbin” folks they treated were free of charge at the insistence of Lisa and Kim.
“The Clearys have given to this Corbin school community for over 41 years and many hundreds of students are the better for it,” the school district wrote.
Kim Cleary was founder and co-owner of Corbin Physical Therapy and was known as a “full-time” athletic trainer for Corbin athletes. Kim donated his time and expertise for over 41 years as a physical therapist and health consultant to Corbin athletes.
Corbin Physical Therapy also treated many students and staff not associated with athletics. Many, if not all, of these treatment sessions were at no charge to the patient at the direction of Mr. Cleary.
Kim operated a very successful business in Corbin which added value to our community and encouraged other business owners to meet their excellent standard of care.
“Their humble, sincere treatment of all things Corbin have forever endeared them to our community. Their business was recognized as the ‘Gold Standard’ for hometown physical therapy clinics,” the school district wrote in the release.
