Pamela Chesebro
Thomas Loughren
Dr. Craig Reynold
John Jackson
Terry Stark
Pam Chesebro – Class of 1977
Pam Lashway Chesebro is a person who quietly goes about serving her community and takes joy in knowing that her work makes a difference in people’s lives. Pam started working at the Oxford Soup Kitchen In January 2017 with inside seating serving 25 people the first week which rapidly grew to 75. When the COVID 19 pandemic struck in 2020, Chenango County Catholic Charities reached out to her and asked if the soup kitchen could make lunches for the community and they would arrange for them to be delivered to those in need. In April 2020 Pam, and her loyal group of volunteers, stepped up to the challenge and began to serve 4 lunches per week in addition to two night time meals they were already serving, providing 200 meals each time. The noon time meals continued until September of 2020, however, two night time meals were continued until June 2021. During all of that time only 1 meal menu was served more than once! Presently the kitchen serves 200 meals per week on Thursday’s, with 80 of those being delivered to the homebound. All of these meals are made from scratch.
Pam is a communicant of St. Paul’s in Oxford and serves as their treasurer as well and serving on Altar Guild and Vestry. Her connection with St. Paul’s was key to the re-opening of the Oxford Soup Kitchen after illness made it impossible for the prior volunteer to continue.
Pam is the youngest of 10 children and grew up on the family farm on Scouten Hill Road. Her upbringing of working hard and learning to cook for large groups of people from her mother has served her well for the work she currently does. Pam graduated from Oxford Academy in June 1977. Soon after that she married her husband, Craig. Together they chose to remain in Oxford to raise their family of 6. (Sarah, Jeff, Justin, Jason, Jonathan and Jaden), all who also attended Oxford Academy. In addition they are blessed with 19 grandchildren, the oldest graduating from Oxford in June 2021.
Pam is grateful for the education she received at Oxford Academy and gives thanks especially to Darryl Lanning and Shirley Detweiler who instilled the knowledge that led to her employment with the NYS Veterans Home in the Business/Billing offices. After 40 years of service she retired in April of 2019 as a Principle Clerk in charge of the Medicaid and Private Pay Billing for the four NYS Veterans Homes. Pam is currently employed by Catholic Charities of Chenango County and manages the Roots & Wings division, which is their food pantry and thrift store. She has devoted her life to helping others in the communities she serves and plans to continue to do so until she no longer is able.
Dr. Craig Reynolds – Class of 1982
A 1982 graduate of Oxford Academy and Central School, Craig was a standout athlete in three sports that he participated in. In football, Craig started his varsity career four games into his freshmen campaign and lead the Blackhawks to a 25 – 6 record over his career. Craig quarterbacked two undefeated Blackhawk squads (1979 and 1981.) As a point guard for Oxford, Craig was an All-Sus and Evening Sun All County player and scored 755 points. On the diamond, Reynolds was an exceptional short-stop and helped to lead the Blackhawks to a Section IV title. While doing all of this Craig graduated valedictorian of his class and decided to attend Cornell University to work on his career in medicine.
Furthermore, Dr. Reynolds was recognized in 2014 for all his athletic accomplishments during his high school career by being selected for inclusion into the Section IV Athletic Hall of Fame. Dr. Reynolds stated that all of his coaches and teachers at Oxford provide him with many life lessons with hard work being the most important. Coach Tony Abbott had this to say about Reynolds, “Craig was a very athletic and intelligent quarterback. He was like having another coach on the field. He certainly played a large role in the success of all of the athletic teams that he participated on.”
Following graduation from Cornell University in 1986, Craig attended Upstate Medical School. Dr. Reynold graduated from Upstate Medical School in 1990 with honors in anatomy and pharmacology and in the top 10th percentile on the National Medical Boards part 1. In 1991, he did a surgery internship at the Upstate University Hospital. Dr. Reynolds became part of medical history at the Upstate Medical Center by providing anesthesia service for the first awake craniotomy. His resume includes serving as Staff Anesthesiologist at Auburn Community Hospital from 1996 to 2004. Subsequently, he commenced work at Upstate University Community Campus as Staff Anesthesiologist from 2004 to present. Furthermore, he is Chief of Anesthesia at the North Country Orthopedic ASC and the Central New York Fertility Center. Dr. Reynolds was also instrumental in establishing the Regional Block Clinic at Syracuse Orthopedic Specialist Outpatient Surgery Center.
Dr. Reynolds stated that his philosophy about being a doctor was simply that he was going to make his profession as a doctor benefit the community that he lives in. Additionally, he indicates that there is no better thing in life to do than to help people in their time of need. He asserts, “that is the reason that he practices medicine all day every day.” He expressed that Oxford Academy teachers gave him great life and educational skills that enabled him to do what he has done as a doctor. In addition, he indicated that the best honor that he has had is the fact that the nurses, doctors and other people in his workplace have expressed that if they ever need surgery that Dr. Reynolds perform their anesthesia. It is an honor and privilege to welcome Dr. Craig Reynolds on to the Oxford Academy and Central Schools Hall of Distinction.
Dr. Reynolds and his wife, Jeannine, have two daughters together, Baylee and Courtney, as well as Thomas and Madison in their combined family. The Reynolds live in Syracuse, NY.
Thomas Loughren – Class of 1970
Tom Loughren started his career in law enforcement as a cadet at the Chenango County Sheriff’s office in 1971 under the watchful eye of Sheriff Joseph Benenati, who would have a lasting impact on Tom’s career in the field of law enforcement. In 1972, Loughren joined the Chenango County Police Department at 20 years of age and eventually worked his way up the ranks to being Sheriff of Chenango County in 1992. He attended Mohawk Valley Community College receiving many credits in the field of police science and graduated from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice.
As the County Sheriff, he served 21 communities and supervised the County Correctional Facility, County 911 Communication Center, the Civil Department, and the County Emergency Management Center. Additionally, he directed all law enforcement activities of patrols, K-9, snowmobile and navigation patrols and worked on numerous investigations that helped to ensure the safety and well-being of all the people in the county. As the Sheriff he was very active in community activities serving as a public speaker and speaking to all segments of the community on the best practices in the area of crime prevention.
Tom has certainly arrested many treacherous and unsafe criminals in his career but takes most pride in creating the Sheriff’s Summer Camp Program for youth in Chenango County between the ages of 9 to 12 in 1996. Tom indicated that as he was serving on the New York State Sheriff’s Camp Committee he became very disenchanted with the fact that only 12 kids from the county could be sent to the state’s camp yearly. Thus, Loughren started Camp Thompson as a residential facility located in Smyrna for approximately 250 to 400 boys and girls in the county each summer. The Camp is still serving the children of the county with an opportunity to enjoy a week camping experience in a beautiful location.
Following his term as Sheriff, Loughren journeyed to Miami, Florida to assume the position of Chief of Police of the Miccosukee Police Department. There he managed a force of 60 and operations for all law enforcement and security of 3 separate federally regulated Indian Reservations of the Miccosukee Indian Tribe. His work included overseeing a resort and gaming facility. While serving in the Miccosukee Police Force, he was named the Miccosukee Police Department Officer of the Year.
Tom came back to Chenango County in 2011 to become Chief of Security for Chobani. There he headed the planning, training, hiring and implementation of a new full-service Corporate Security Force. In 2013, Loughren became the commissioner of the New York State Commission of Correction. As commissioner, he oversees and regulates state prisons, county jails, secure juvenile facilities and local police department lock ups, including facilities within the city of New York. The commission has the mission to provide for a safe, stable and humane correctional system in New York State.
Tom should be commended for an outstanding career in law enforcement and dedication to the safety and well-being of the community that he serves.
Tom presently resides on Steer Pond with his wife Donna. The couple are the proud parents of 6 children with several grandchildren.
Terry Stark -– Class of 1966
Terry Stark grew up here and graduated from Oxford Academy in 1966, after which he was quickly drafted into the US Army. He earned the rank of Sergeant, and was on active and reserve service for 6 years. While in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, Terry was on the Mobile Riverine Force of the 9th Infantry Division. His service later found him in Fort Knox, Kentucky; Nuremberg, Germany; and the Norwich, NY Reserve. Terry’s awards include the Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf clusters, Unit Citation, and more.
Upon returning to Oxford, Terry graduated from BCC and started work with Norwich-Eaton Pharmaceuticals/Procter & Gamble that continued for 20 years. At this time he also earned his Bachelor of Science in Business at Utica College of Syracuse University.
Following Procter & Gamble, Terry’s professional achievements included new opportunities at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield where he advanced to Corporate Vice President of Human Resource Services. He later worked with the 2004 US Presidential Campaign on local planning and voter turnout for Central Florida counties.
Because service to the community has always been a priority for Terry, he also served on the Oxford Village Board for 10 years before being elected Mayor. Now in his 20th year leading the village, his contributions have been enduring. Terry secured many grants to enrich the village beautification of parks and trees, sidewalk projects, restoration of the Village Hall, and new equipment for the fire and police departments. He works closely with county officials on development boards, and locally as a member of the Oxford Industrial Development Association.
Terry’s understanding of infrastructure and maintenance led to stewardship over a number of capital projects completed or now in progress, including water well development, the Main Street bridge replacement, wastewater plant upgrade, a water main improvement project, and riverbank erosion revetments.
His vision and commitment to quality of life and our area’s greatest asset – its people – is seen in other meticulous and ambitious projects. Community Comprehensive Vision Planning accomplished with other area leaders helped develop thoughtful, actionable, detailed plans for prudently shaping our community’s future. Some of that work included partnership with this school district, including support for students’ work-based learning. Participating Oxford Academy graduates gained meaningful work experience through the Village that benefited Oxford, and helped Blackhawks choose professional pathways. His annual visits to the 4th grade to talk about local government were especially interesting to some of our youngest Blackhawks. As you can imagine, they had questions and Mayor Stark always answered.
Other benefits to the community included his collaboration with the local Farmers Market Group on Farmers Market Site Development, the outcome of which has become one of the most robust, beautifully situated farmers markets in the region. His commitment to village green space also includes springtime planting for parks and planters, and supported upgrades to Lafayette Park. Terry and others have more in mind for the long-term too, including Community Trail Design Development.
Other kinds of Terry’s community service include his 41-year membership in the Oxford Rotary Club, annual organizing of Oxford Alumni Association reunions each summer, and membership in the American Legion. He has also served in varying capacities for the Development Chenango Corporation and Chenango Housing Improvement.
Terry and his wife are proud parents of two children and six grandchildren.
For his service to his country and his diverse, long-lasting contributions to his community, we are proud to welcome Terry Stark to the Oxford Academy Hall of Distinction.
John Jackson -– Class of 1986
The power and importance of education is well known to John A. Jackson, an Oxford Academy member of the Class of 1986. While a student, John was a member of the National Honor Society and a Student Council Officer. He also earned accolades as a student-athlete, including Sus-League Most Valuable Player, Most Outstanding Basketball Player in Chenango County, and First-Team League All-Star. JJ then played basketball collegiately at SUNY Delhi where he received Academic All-American status.
John transferred to Cornell University to earn his B.S. in Animal Sciences, and worked at the Cornell University Large Animal Hospital as a Licensed Veterinary Technician. A keen interest in the sciences led to further study at SUNY Cortland where he earned his master's degree, an M.A.T. in Biological Science Education, and Life Sciences teaching certification.
His inspired teaching career started at New Berlin, now the Unadilla Valley Central School District, and includes Adjunct Professorship through SUNY Albany and Tompkins Cortland Community College. John teaches biology, biotechnology/microbiology, genetics, anatomy/physiology and more in both high school and concurrent college courses.
Notably, John was selected to join the New York State Master Teacher Program, a vibrant network of outstanding public school teachers who share a passion for STEM learning and collaboration. In this capacity, he’s led presentations at Binghamton University, SUNY Oneonta, and SUNY Cortland while working with students who aspire to teach science, technology, engineering, and math to the next generation of STEM leaders.
Providing a rigorous education isn’t John’s only contribution to students’ growth and success. He is also committed to supporting their interests and being a bright light in his school’s social and academic culture. He’s led 21 whale watch trips to Boston with his Environmental Club, acted as class advisor across numerous grades, created a faculty band called “Storm Surge” in which he sings and plays guitar, directed senior plays, performed in various school and community musicals, coordinated Science Fairs and Spirit Weeks, was invited to be guest speaker for graduation and National Honor Society ceremonies, coached numerous community and school sports, served as a high school baseball umpire and Gus Macker tournament basketball official, and is the “Voice of Unadilla Valley.”
For his efforts and dedication to youth, John was recognized as an Honorary Member of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council as an Outstanding Educational Leader and Mentor. He was named the UVCS Teacher of the Year, MAC League Coach of the Year, and NYS Class C Assistant Coach of the Year, and also received both Scholar Recognition and Excellence in Environmental Education Awards.
John gives credit to his former teachers at Oxford Academy for their wise inspiration. His experience at Oxford Academy was filled with people who nurtured, cared for, and encouraged their students, he affirms. His entire teaching career has been spent paying it forward to the thousands of students he’s taught, coached, and advised over the years.
There is no question that his lifelong dedication to students has had a positive impact in the lives of our next generation of leaders and within our communities. We are proud indeed that John has always used his clear vision, humor, creativity, bold approach to life, commitment, and energy in service to others.
John and his wife Terri live in Norwich, NY, and raised two accomplished children, Kaitlyn and Andrew.
The Oxford Academy Hall of Distinction Coordinating Committee encourages community members to make a nomination for inclusion into the Hall of Distinction. Criteria and nomination forms can be found on the Oxford Academy website at
www.oxac.org (click on the “District” tab and then “Hall of Distinction”). Nominations are due by November 1
st of each year.