Van ISD proudly celebrated four individuals whose years of service, leadership, and dedication have left a lasting impact on generations of Vandals as they were inducted into the Van ISD Faculty & Staff Hall of Fame on Friday, September 11.
The 2026 Hall of Fame inductees are:
Mrs. Pat Percifield Hargrave — Teacher at Van ISD for 33 years
Mrs. Brenda Kellam — Teacher at Van ISD for 12 years
Ms. Janice Mulford — Teacher, coach, and counselor at Van ISD for 35 years
Mr. Joddie Witte — Superintendent at Van ISD for 9 years
The evening began with a special dinner and awards presentation honoring the inductees and the impact each made during their time at Van ISD. Family members, friends, former students, colleagues, and members of the Vandal community gathered to celebrate their service and the legacies they created.
During the presentation, each inductee was recognized by someone who could speak personally about his or her impact on Van ISD. Mrs. Hargrave was honored by Holly Braswell; Mrs. Kellam by former students Lindsay Wallace and Kristi Braley; Ms. Mulford by Mrs. Marty Moore; and Mr. Witte by Dr. Shelby Davidson.
Ms. Mulford was inducted posthumously, with her sister, Marilyn Hammermeister, accepting the Hall of Fame award on her behalf. The special recognition celebrated Ms. Mulford's 35 years of service to Van ISD as a teacher, coach, and counselor, as well as the lasting influence she had on generations of Vandals.
Following the dinner and awards presentation, the celebration continued at Van Memorial Stadium, where the inductees and Ms. Mulford's family were introduced and recognized before the Vandal varsity football game.
While their roles and years of service may have differed, each of these individuals helped shape Van ISD into the district it is today. Their influence lives on through the students they taught, the colleagues they served alongside, the programs they helped build, and the community they loved.
Van ISD is honored to welcome Mrs. Pat Percifield Hargrave, Mrs. Brenda Kellam, Ms. Janice Mulford, and Mr. Joddie Witte into the Van ISD Faculty & Staff Hall of Fame.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026, and thank you for leaving a lasting legacy in Vandal Land.