Five new names will be carved into the stones lining downtown streets at the Pullman Walk of Fame induction ceremony to be held Saturday, Aug. 30. The induction ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at the Pine Street Plaza.
The Walk of Fame stones are set in the sidewalks along Main and Kamiaken streets downtown and feature the names of those who have significantly impacted the Pullman community or brought acclaim to the area.
John R. and Mary Ellen Gorham will be honored in the WSU Presidents and Distinguished Members of the WSU Community category. They have lived in Pullman since 1942 when they began college at WSU and have since served various roles in the Pullman community. John’s work as a WSU veterinary professor and researcher has earned him several awards.
Mary Ellen has written several articles, hosted a radio talk show on pet care and worked as a partner in a veterinary medical lab.
Bob and Carol Smawley will be named to the Distinguished Residents category for 2008. The two volunteered extensively for the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Council on Aging, Friends of the Pullman Library, Pullman Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club, the Hospital Foundation and others. Furthermore, Carol worked as a WSU librarian and with Pullman schools and Bob worked at WSU for 53 years.
Former football star Rueben Mayes will be honored in the Famous Sports Figures category. Mayes played for WSU in the 1980s, where he became an All-American. He set single-season and career rushing records and set an NCAA record for the most rushing yards in one game in 1984 (357 vs. Oregon), which remains the Pac-10 conference record. After being drafted in the third round of the 1986 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints, he won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and was named to the Pro Bowl twice. Rueben Mayes was elected to the U.S.College Football Hall of Fame in May.
