Fulton County Ohio Media

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On Friday, February 9^th, Colonel (Retired) Thomas Hansbarger and Christopher Baumgartner were inducted into the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame during a luncheon in the high school’s Media Center.  During the ceremony, Mr. Austin Serna, a Congressional Assistant to Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, who appointed Colonel Hansbarger to West Point, presented the Colonel with an American flag that had previously flown over the U.S. Capitol Building.  Both Colonel Hansbarger and Mr. Baumgartner were later recognized at halftime of the boys’ varsity basketball game against the Archbold Blue Streaks.  Below are short bios listing just some of their very impressive credentials.

Tom Hansbarger, a distinguished individual, graduated from Swanton High School in 1988 before embarking on an exemplary academic journey at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. During his four-year tenure at West Point, Tom demonstrated commitment and excellence as a football player for the Army, culminating in his graduation in 1992 as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery.

Throughout his illustrious 30-year career in the U.S. Army, Tom held various staff and command positions at all levels, showcasing exceptional leadership skills. His operational and combat deployments underscore his dedication to duty, including significant contributions in Bosnia-Herzegovina (1995), Iraq (2003 and 2006-07), and Afghanistan (2016-17).

Tom’s remarkable service has been recognized with a myriad of prestigious awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit, three Bronze Star Medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, five Army Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, three Army Superior Unit Awards, the Combat Action Badge, U.S. Army Ranger Tab, Airborne Badge, and Air Assault Badge.

In August 2023, Colonel Tom Hansbarger retired from active duty, marking the culmination of three decades of unwavering commitment to the U.S. Army. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Tom shares a fulfilling family life with his wife, Leigh Robison of Swanton, Ohio, and their two wonderful children, Molly and David Hansbarger. His dedication to both duty and family embodies the highest standards of service and character.

Christopher Baumgartner, the Valedictorian of Swanton High School’s class of 1999, has cultivated a distinguished career in music education and administration. Following his graduation, he pursued higher education at BGSU, earning both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education. In 2009, his academic prowess was acknowledged with the Distinguished Thesis Award.

From 2003 to 2007, Christopher dedicated himself to teaching middle and high school band in the Kenton City Schools. His academic journey continued at the University of Missouri, where he obtained his Ph.D. in music education in 2012. Post-graduation, Chris served on the faculty at both Mizzou and Middle Tennessee State University, imparting his knowledge in athletic bands and music education. In 2014, he joined the University of Oklahoma, where he presently holds the esteemed positions of Associate Professor of Instrumental Music Education and Director of the New Horizons Community Band.

Throughout his tenure in higher education, Dr. Baumgartner has demonstrated excellence in teaching, with routine guest conducting appearances nationwide. He has collaborated with distinguished composers such as Pulitzer Prize winner Steven Stucky and Grammy-nominated composer Anna Clyne. Chris has also commissioned contemporary composers to create new music for school and community bands.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Chris has assumed two new administrative roles this year, serving as both the Associate Director and Graduate Coordinator for the OU School of Music. His dedication extends to music teacher education and research, as evidenced by his presentations at state, national, and international conferences. Chris has contributed to various peer-reviewed journals in music education, authored a chapter on student teaching in an Oxford University Press book, and published his solo text, “Bridging the Gap: Stories for Music Student Teaching Seminar,” in 2023.

Dr. Baumgartner’s leadership extends to national executive boards, where he actively participates in the National Association for Music Education and the Society for Music Teacher Education. Locally, he is involved with the Oklahoma Music Educators Association, having founded and administered a mentoring program for new music teachers. Chris is happily married to Dr. Melissa Baughman, a vocal music education teacher at OU, and together they raise two children, along with their two dogs and two cats.

Click on the link above to access a few photos from the ceremony.

Photo (L to R): Colonel (Retired) Thomas Hansbarger and Christopher Baumgartner