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Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris is one of three inductees to the 2016 Springfield Public Schools Hall of Fame.SBJ photo by WES HAMILTON
Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris is one of three inductees to the 2016 Springfield Public Schools Hall of Fame.

SBJ photo by WES HAMILTON

Johnny Morris among SPS Hall of Fame inductees

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Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris is among three inductees this year to the Springfield Public Schools Hall of Fame.

The inductees are scheduled to be honored during an Oct. 20 luncheon at Morris’ John A. and Genny Morris Conservation Education Center on Sunshine Street adjacent to the flagship Bass Pro store. Hall of Fame members are SPS graduates who have given back to the community, have been successful in their profession or have distinguished themselves in another way to make them standouts, according to a news release.

The two other honorees are Dr. Adam Gordon, professor of medicine and clinical and translational science and advisory dean at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and staff physician at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, and William Wagasy, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL who’s now a Gary Sinise Foundation ambassador.

Morris, who graduated in 1966 from Glendale High School, around five years later started his company, which now has 92 stores either opened or in the works. Morris has an estimated net worth of $4 billion.

Gordon graduated in 1987 from Glendale. His training, research and advocacy has focused on improving quality and accessibility of health care for homeless patients and individuals with alcohol or drug additions. Gordon has published some 136 peer-reviewed papers, 56 peer-reviewed abstracts, and 13 books or book chapters, and he has presented or authored at leasted 137 peer-reviewed presentations, according to the release.

A 1992 Glendale graduate, Wagasy served during three deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. A standout football player at Glendale, he played at the University of Notre Dame and attended law school at Pepperdine University. As an ambassador for actor Gary Sinise’s foundation, he works to support military members, veterans, first responders and their families.

SPS Hall of Fame inductees in recent years include CoxHealth CEO Steve Edwards, Askinosie Chocolate founder Shawn Askinosie and John Ashcroft, the 79th U.S. attorney general.

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