Hinsdale South adds two to Hall of Fame

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Scott Corwin

Updated: January 2, 2012 1:43AM

The Hinsdale South Foundation will add two new names to its Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony Nov. 17.

Foundation President Brian Ormiston said the two inductees — Captain Scott Corwin and Ross Rice — were selected from a number of worthy nominees.

Rice, a member of the Class of 1974, agrees.

“I think there are so many more worthy candidates than myself,” said Rice, a member of the FBI since 1980.

Rice said he will accept the award as a tribute to the late Jim Wheelock, Hall of Fame member and Hinsdale South teacher.

“He was my first teacher, on my first day in my first class of freshman year. He made an indelible impression on me in a very positive way,” Rice said.

Rice, who returned to Darien after college, went on to study at Lewis University and then attended new agent training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va. He was appointed as a special agent in 1980 and until 1985 was part of an FBI team that investigated organized crime in Chicago. From 1986-1999, Rice worked in the south suburbs as an agent in the FBI’s Orland Park office. In 1999, he was reassigned to the Chicago FBI office as the media coordinator and office spokesman, and later as the public affairs director.

In this role, Rice developed “Chicago’s Most Wanted,” an FBI-themed television show, and Bandit Tracker Chicago, a website used to profile serial bank robbers.

During his career, Rice has received numerous awards and recognitions, as well as been recognized as an expert witness by the United States District Court.

Meanwhile, Rice served as an active member of the Darien community, participating in groups such as the Darien Youth Club, Ormiston said. Rice’s sons, Michael and Andrew, both are Hinsdale South graduates.

Quiet leader
honored

Ormiston said he’s not sure what took the Foundation board so long to recognize the late Captain Scott T. Corwin as an honored graduate of the Darien high school.

“We don’t know how he was ever overlooked before,” Ormiston said of Corwin, a 1995 graduate and decorated soldier murdered in Savannah, Ga., in 2004.

As a student at South, Corwin was captain of the football team and a member of the hockey team. He went on to West Point Military Academy and received his bachelor of science in civil engineering from West Point. He earned a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of Missouri-Rolla.

Corwin’s received many awards and commendations during his years with the U.S. Army and served a tour of duty in Kosovo.

Corwin’s father, Greg, described his son as a quiet leader with a zest for life.

“I never saw a frown on his face,” Greg Corwin said.

He, along with Corwin’s mother, Sonia Corwin Arndt of Darien, and sisters Allison Corwin and Jamie Dronko, plan to attend the induction ceremony. Allison Corwin will accept the award in her brother’s memory.

“It’s going to be quite a day for us,” Greg Corwin said.

“I’m very proud,” Arndt said. “I think he was an excellent example of what students should strive for.”

The Hinsdale South Hall of Fame recognizes alumni and retired staff that have honored the high school by distinguishing themselves through career achievements, outstanding community service and significant contributions to the Hinsdale South community.

Ormiston said both inductees serve as fine examples of what a Hinsdale South graduate is capable of achieving.

“It’s not all about making money,” Ormiston said.

Since it was established in 2005, the Hall of Fame has sought graduates and teachers who also have contributed to their community.

“That’s really what we’re trying to show the kids,” Ormiston said.

The induction ceremony will take place before the entire student body. In addition to being honored at the all-school assembly, each inductee will be commemorated on a plaque in the school’s main hallway.