Lawrence R. French graduated from EHS in 1950. He graduated from Western Kentucky University in 1954 with a degree in math and an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corp commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He taught school at Lincoln Trail Elementary for one year before beginning his thirty year military career in June, 1955, with the United States Air Force. In 1961 he applied for and earned his second bachelor’s degree in meteorology from Pennsylvania State University and served four years as a weather officer in Texas. He returned to school for a master’s degree in meteorology from the University of Oklahoma and after receiving his degree he went to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. During his long military career, Mr. French was awarded 2 Commendation Medals and 5 Meritorious Service Medals for his outstanding service. Upon retirement from the military in 1985 he was awarded the Legion of Merit, one of the highest awards in the U.S. Air Force. After his military retirement, Mr. French worked as a financial advisor until 1992, retiring again from the workforce into his current life of active volunteer service to his community, church, and schools. Over the last 21 years, he has served on many boards including the Elizabethtown Airport Board and the Elizabethtown Planning Commission. He has been active in the Lions Club and the Noon Rotary Club, as well as the International Club at Fort Knox. In addition to his academic, military, and service achievements, Mr. French pitched baseball for EHS and WKU. He never lost a game as pitcher in high school or college competition. During his time at WKU, the Hilltopper baseball team won two Ohio Valley Conference Championships. Because of his considerable contributions, Mr. French’s name is engraved on the entrance to the new state of the art baseball stadium at WKU. Additionally, he and his wife, Betty Sue, fund two scholarships for local students going to WKU and ECTC.