Four people to be inducted into the Airport High School 2025 Educator Hall of Fame & Distinguished Alumni Gala

West Columbia, SC 04/15/2025 - Four people with ties to Airport High School will be honored next month at the 2025 Educator Hall of Fame & Distinguished Alumni Gala.

This year’s event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6 at the Lexington Two Innovation Center, 509 Bulldog Blvd., Cayce. A social hour and silent auction will be held before the formal program and dinner.

Tickets are $50 for individuals, $90 for couples. Several sponsorship levels also are available; contact Lola Richbourg for tickets and details, lrich@lex2.org.

Following is a look at this year’s honorees.

EDUCATOR HALL OF FAME

Donald Keith Aull

Retired 1995; drafting teacher, tennis coach

Mr. Aull began his teaching career at Airport in 1974, also coaching tennis there from 1975-1990.

Prior to teaching at Airport, he was an instructor of technical drawing at Columbia Tech, now Midlands Technical College. He also served as the Dean of Students and Dean of Instruction at Columbia Tech. Mr. Aull was instrumental in developing the Lexington County Tennis Center and forming the Lexington County Tennis Association.

His drafting students have designed a number of K-12 public education and medical facilities in SC. Mr. Aull works with the facilities and grounds committee of his church, Transfiguration Lutheran.

George Kenneth Smith

Retired 1981; assistant principal, activities director, assistant coach

In addition to being an assistant principal at Airport, Mr. Smith served in several other capacities, including as the South Carolina Association of Student Councils Executive Director from 1976-1981, which included being the director of the SCASC Summer Leadership Camp. Mr. Smith also served as the Eastern Advisor for the Southern Association of Student Councils.

In 1981, he was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by then-Governor Dick Riley for his interest and friendship to the State of South Carolina. Mr. Smith was also awarded the William Spurgeon Award for outstanding service to area youth. As a member of West Side Baptist Church, Mr. Smith served as teacher, children’s minister, and associate minister.

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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI

Mary Burkett

1970 Airport graduate

After graduating from Airport High School, Mrs. Burkett attended the University of South Carolina, receiving a degree in nursing. She has served as an adjunct professor for the School of Nursing and was a maternal and child health instructor for 12 years.

Mrs. Burkett has co-authored four books including Little Book of Heroes. After retiring, Mrs. Burkett became an accomplished artist, focusing on the Holocaust, and is a 2024 recipient of the Anne Frank Award. She has exhibited her paintings in Paris, Washington D.C., Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. Mrs. Burkett is a member of the Lexington Two Board of Trustees and a member of the board of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Keisha Staley Wilson

2009 Airport graduate

While at Airport, Dr. Wilson was involved in student government all four years, serving as an executive officer, and was also Airport’s student body president. She was a member of the Beta Club and the National Honor Society. In addition, she played softball, basketball and tennis, and was a Special Olympics volunteer and a Junior Marshal.

Dr. Wilson is currently a tenure-track assistant professor in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology at the University of South Carolina. During her career, she has received $950,000 in grants for research from a number of organizations, among them the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, MOSAIC K99/R00 Career Transition Award, and the USC Office of Vice President of Research Internal Funding.

PHOTO CAPTIONS: Donald Keith Aull