A Legacy of Service: Honoring Dr. Donald Hofreuter, Linsly Class of 1950 Dr. Donald Hofreuter was celebrated posthumously on August 15, 2026, at the OVAC Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at WesBanco Arena. He was awarded the Denny Magruder Distinguished Service Award in recognition of a lifetime dedicated to medicine, athletics, and leadership in the Ohio Valley and at The Linsly School. A proud member of Linsly’s Class of 1950, Dr. Hofreuter graduated as valedictorian and served as Cadet Major. He continued his education at Princeton University and earned his medical degree from Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. These academic accomplishments laid the foundation for a long career in medicine and community service. Dr. Hofreuter’s relationship with Linsly spanned more than half a century. He served the school for 53 years, including 35 years as Chairman and President of the Board of Trustees. Later named Emeritus Trustee, he was remembered as a faithful and loyal leader whose steady guidance helped shape the school’s direction and support student growth. An avid fan and devoted supporter of Linsly athletics, he was frequently seen on the sidelines alongside coaches Jim Hawkins and Eudie Joseph, serving as the team doctor and encouraging student-athletes. During his tenure as President of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Hofreuter was instrumental in several major decisions that would ultimately shape The Linsly School that we know today. In 1979, Dr. Hofreuter helped attract and hire Reno F. DiOrio as the school’s next headmaster who went on to serve the school in that capacity for thirty years. At that same time, Hofreuter and DiOrio led the school through the transition from a military school to a traditional college preparatory school. Ten years later, they made the decision to transition from an all-boys school to the coeducational school that we know today. “Dr Hofreuter and I developed a wonderful relationship that actually began a few years before I actually arrived on the Linsly campus when I interviewed for the Head of School position," said DiOrio. “The interview went well but I was not interested in leaving my role at Kiski. Over the next three years I became aware of Dr Hofreuter's persistence. He found ways to stay in touch with me and his determination resulted in my accepting the Head position 1979.” DiOrio continued, “These are the characteristics that, in my opinion, defined Dr Hofreuter. Because of our Linsly relationship, his devotion to Linsly is at the top of the list. He always made time for anything connected to Linsly... students, faculty, maintenance staff, it didn't matter who or what, he had time for you.” Each year at graduation, Linsly honors a member of the graduating class with the Donald H. Hofreuter Award. The award is given to the graduating senior who has been exemplary in his or her service to the school and community, in the tradition of Dr. Hofreuter. Dr. Hofreuter served as Director of Medical Affairs and later as CEO at Wheeling Hospital, which is now a part of WVU Medicine, before retiring in 2006. His leadership strengthened the hospital’s services and its role in regional health care. He built a productive partnership between Wheeling Hospital and the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference (OVAC), translating medical expertise into practical support for school sports. “The OVAC always held a special place in Don's heart,” said DiOrio. “That organization was special because it was about young students, and it was about athletics and coaches and contests and providing medical services for those athletes.” He helped launch sports medicine clinics that expanded access to athlete care across the region. He championed providing physical exams for athletes and officials, and he worked to bring certified athletic trainers (ATs) to OVAC schools. These initiatives improved safety, injury prevention, and on-site care for student-athletes throughout the Ohio Valley. As a founding member of the OVAC Foundation, Dr. Hofreuter played a key role in stabilizing the conference’s financial future. His vision helped ensure sustained support for OVAC programs and scholarships, leaving a lasting benefit for schools, coaches, and students. “Each of us who had a personal relationship with Dr Hofreuter and each organization that had his attention were better because of that connection. He was a special gentleman,” said DiOrio. Although Dr. Hofreuter passed away in 2021, the posthumous presentation of the Denny Magruder Distinguished Service Award at the OVAC Hall of Fame recognized his lifelong commitment to education, health care, and athletics. His work at Linsly, at Wheeling Hospital, and across the Ohio Valley, created stronger institutions and safer, more supportive environments for countless students and athletes. His legacy lives on at Linsly and in the community in the programs he helped build and the people he inspired.