ELYRIA — Two Elyria Catholic High School alums, long removed from the halls of academia, were honored Thursday for their commitment to both the school and the Elyria community.

They join other distinguished alumni whose names and faces grace the Elyria Catholic Hall of Fame.

Receiving the 2008 Elyria Catholic High School Distinguished Alumnus Hall of Fame award was an honor that 1962 graduate Bill Rice said he was humbled to receive.

“I thought it was an extremely high honor,” he said. “I feel very privileged to have received it. I’m sure there are many more deserving people, but someone decided to choose me, and for that, I’m very grateful.

“I owe a lot to Elyria Catholic,” Rice added. “The values that you gain from going to a school like that stay with you for the rest of your life. It makes you want to give something back.”

That’s why since graduating more than 45 years ago, Rice has continued to promote both the educational and Christian values of Elyria Catholic while advancing his career with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

After graduating from Elyria Catholic, Rice earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Northwestern University in 1967. He began working at NASA after graduation.

In 1971, he earned his master of science degree, also in electrical engineering, from the University of Toledo. During his career with NASA, spanning 33 years, he served as NASA chief engineer and was responsible for giving the NASA engineering approval for launch of several unmanned spacecrafts at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Still, he recalls his days at Elyria Catholic well. He was a member of the National Honor Society, worked on the school newspaper and graduated third in his class. The values he learned there have stuck with him for life.

“The largest misconception is that is Elyria Catholic is an elitist school, but it’s a school that strives to give a good Christian education, and what sets us apart are the good Christian values that are taught.”

Rice is an active member of St. Jude’s Church and devotes a considerable time to the West Side Irish American Club, where he serves on the board of trustees. He has served as chairman at the Ohio Irish Cultural festivals for the past several years.

Rice married Maureen Gillen, also an Elyria Catholic graduate; their children, Sheila and Brian, also attended Elyria Catholic.

The second Distinguished Alumni winner is Ellen N. Basinski, a graduate of the class of 1957 who has made significant contributions to Elyria Catholic for more than 40 years.

Her contributions include longtime membership to the diocesan school board and involvement in the Elyria Catholic Endowment Fund. Bingo, a staple in Elyria Catholic fundraising started under Basinski’s watch more than 20 years ago. She has remained steadfast in her efforts to raise funds for Elyria Catholic, especially in her work promoting the James Kolopus Memorial Scholarship.

Basinski also has been a member of the Elyria Service League, Elyria Planning Commission, Birthright and Lorain County Alcohol and Drug Addition Agency.

As a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni award, Basinski exemplifies what it means to give back to society, a value taught to all who graduate from Elyria Catholic.

Basinski and her husband, Judge David Basinski, have raised five children, all graduates of Elyria Catholic.

Contact Lisa Roberson at 329-7121 or lroberson@chroniclet.com.

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