Today in Wheeling History: May 30--Allan Connolly, dedicated educator and administrator, was inducted into the Wheeling Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to education (2015).
Allan Connolly, born in 1944, dedicated his life to education in Ohio County Schools, beginning his career in 1965 as an English and Social Studies teacher at Clay Junior High School. A self-made man, he worked his way through Bluefield State College as a clerk and meat cutter, earning his bachelor's degree in secondary education in 1965. He later obtained his master's degree in education administration from West Virginia University in 1969, eventually completing an additional 30 graduate hours.
At Clay Junior High, Connolly served as department chairperson for English and Social Studies while coaching basketball for ten years, earning three freshman championships. In 1976, he moved to the newly opened Wheeling Park High School, where he taught Social Studies and assisted with the basketball program during their state championship year. The following year, he was appointed assistant principal, serving in that role for 22 years until his retirement in 1999, completing 34 years in education.
Beyond his professional duties, Connolly has been deeply involved in community service. He serves on the Board of Trustees at Simpson Methodist Church, heads their Education Committee awarding scholarships, and participates in the NAACP Education Committee for Ohio County. In 2011, he was inducted into the West Virginia All-Black Schools Sports Association Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement, and received the Martin Luther King Jr. award from the Upper Ohio Valley Clergy in 2013.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/ycny344y); Archiving Wheeling (https://tinyurl.com/436myz25), Weelunk (https://tinyurl.com/bdkns7j7), City of Wheeling (https://tinyurl.com/pj2cd2bz) (https://tinyurl.com/2wt34mm9)
Photo caption and credit: Allan Connolly (Wheeling Hall of Fame via Weelunk)
Allan Connolly, born in 1944, dedicated his life to education in Ohio County Schools, beginning his career in 1965 as an English and Social Studies teacher at Clay Junior High School. A self-made man, he worked his way through Bluefield State College as a clerk and meat cutter, earning his bachelor's degree in secondary education in 1965. He later obtained his master's degree in education administration from West Virginia University in 1969, eventually completing an additional 30 graduate hours.
At Clay Junior High, Connolly served as department chairperson for English and Social Studies while coaching basketball for ten years, earning three freshman championships. In 1976, he moved to the newly opened Wheeling Park High School, where he taught Social Studies and assisted with the basketball program during their state championship year. The following year, he was appointed assistant principal, serving in that role for 22 years until his retirement in 1999, completing 34 years in education.
Beyond his professional duties, Connolly has been deeply involved in community service. He serves on the Board of Trustees at Simpson Methodist Church, heads their Education Committee awarding scholarships, and participates in the NAACP Education Committee for Ohio County. In 2011, he was inducted into the West Virginia All-Black Schools Sports Association Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement, and received the Martin Luther King Jr. award from the Upper Ohio Valley Clergy in 2013.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/ycny344y); Archiving Wheeling (https://tinyurl.com/436myz25), Weelunk (https://tinyurl.com/bdkns7j7), City of Wheeling (https://tinyurl.com/pj2cd2bz) (https://tinyurl.com/2wt34mm9)
Photo caption and credit: Allan Connolly (Wheeling Hall of Fame via Weelunk)
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