Hall of Distinction
Honoring the extraordinary men and women who graduated from Weequahic High School and went on to shape the world.
The Weequahic High School Alumni Association's Hall of Distinction recognizes alumni whose achievements in their fields — science, medicine, law, arts, athletics, civil rights, business, and public service — have brought lasting honor to their school and community.
The program began in 2008 as the Hall of Fame and was expanded and renamed the Hall of Distinction in 2019. Inductees are selected by the WHSAA Board of Trustees and honored at the annual reunion dinner.
Hall of Distinction 2024
Ceremony held at the annual reunion dinner, 2024.
Irwin Lee Brody
Class of 1944Inventor of the teletype and pioneering communications engineer.
Jerome Waldor
Class of 1945Distinguished military service and lifelong philanthropy.
Arthur Schechner
Class of 1949Insurance executive and dedicated philanthropist.
Dr. Robert Dubman
Class of 1952Dentist, author, and community advocate.
Dr. Noah Chivian
Class of 1953Endodontist and nationally noted lecturer.
Arnold Kantrowitz
Class of 1958Pioneering gay rights activist and author.
Dr. Sherry Ortner
Class of 1958Renowned anthropologist and distinguished university lecturer.
Professor Leon Osterweil
Class of 1961Computer science engineer and academic leader.
Dr. Warren Melamed
Class of 1963Dentist and generous philanthropist.
Wilbur Ross
Class of 1973Athlete and founder of impactful non-profit organizations.
Patricia Horton Brown
Class of 1982Faith leader and dedicated community servant.
Douglas Freeman
Class of 1990Community service leader and civic contributor.
Hall of Distinction 2022
Ceremony held at the annual reunion dinner, 2022.
Philip Roth
Class of 1950Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist and one of America's greatest literary voices.
Dr. Harold Amos
Class of 1937First African American department chair at Harvard Medical School.
Sid Luckman
Class of 1935NFL Hall of Fame quarterback and Chicago Bears legend.
Dore Schary
Class of 1926Academy Award–winning screenwriter and head of MGM Studios.
Jerry Izenberg
Class of 1950Legendary sports columnist and New Jersey Sports Hall of Fame inductee.
Dr. Alvin Pouissant
Class of 1952Psychiatrist, Harvard professor, and civil rights advisor.
Hall of Distinction 2021 (Virtual Ceremony)
Held as a virtual fundraiser event due to the pandemic.
Inductee bios for this ceremony are available via the links below.
Hall of Distinction 2019
The Hall of Fame was renamed the Hall of Distinction in 2019. Twenty outstanding graduates were inducted.
Judy Blume
Class of 1956Beloved author of more than 25 books for children and adults, with over 85 million copies sold worldwide.
Ron Blumberg
Class of 1963First designated hitter in Major League Baseball history.
Dr. Vivian Pinn
Class of 1957First full-time director of the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health.
Murray Lender
Class of 1952Entrepreneur who turned Lender's Bagels into a national brand.
Dr. Norman Sarachek
Class of 1943Pioneer in genetics research and longtime university professor.
Herb Bernstein
Class of 1958Accomplished attorney and community leader.
Hall of Fame 2008
The original Hall of Fame, established in 2010 to honor twelve distinguished graduates.
Alan Sagner
Class of 1946Real estate developer, civic leader, and chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Dr. Milton Friedman
Class of 1948Nobel Prize–winning economist and champion of free-market principles.
Abner Louima
Class of 1984Civil rights advocate whose case led to landmark police reform in New York City.
Calvin Peete
Class of 1958PGA Tour golfer and the most accurate driver on tour during the 1980s.
Dr. Renata Simone
Class of 1965Award-winning documentary filmmaker and public health advocate.
Awards Received by the School
Weequahic High School Honors
Recognition bestowed upon Weequahic High School as an institution.
Donald T. Dust Award
Presented by Newark Landmarks · 2023–24
Presented to Weequahic High School by Newark Landmarks. The award recognized the school's historic significance and led to its entry into the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
Awards Received by the Association
Alumni Association Honors
Recognition bestowed upon the Weequahic High School Alumni Association.
The Charles F. Cummings Award
Presented by Westgate High School Alumni Association
Presented to the Weequahic High School Alumni Association by the Westgate High School Alumni Association in recognition of the WHSAA's outstanding community service and dedication to its alumni.
More Notable Weequahic Alumni
A broader listing of distinguished graduates beyond the formal Hall of Distinction inductees.
Support Future Honorees
Your membership helps fund the scholarships and programs that give today's Weequahic students the foundation to become tomorrow's distinguished alumni.
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