BEDFORD– Bedford North Lawrence High School has inducted its newest inductees to the prestigious BNL Alumni Wall of Fame, an honor recognizing former students who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. The candidates were inducted at BNL during halftime of the boy’s varsity basketball game on Friday, February 14. This year, the school welcomed Brandon Buck, a 1996 graduate, and Indiana State Police Master Trooper Jarrod Lents, a 1999 graduate, to the distinguished group of honorees.
The BNL Alumni Wall of Fame celebrates graduates who have achieved excellence in their careers and communities. Previous inductees and their graduating class are:
- Dr. Jim Sowders, Class of 1977
- Mark L. Ritter, Class of 1977
- Susan Gales, Class of 1978
- Mark E. McKnight, Class of 1979
- Ira Godsey, Class of 1981
- Mike Fey, Class of 1982
- Don Oelze, Class of 1983
- Dan Bortner, Class of 1983
- Kelly Fitzgerald Cobb, Class of 1983
- Kamal Girgis, Class of 1984
- Jeff Callahan, Class of 1987
- Michell Medlock Adams, Class of 1987
- Damon Bailey, Class of 1990
- Chris May, Class of 1993
- Andrew “Coby” Short, Class of 1993
- Donald “Donny” Buck, Class of 1998
- Emily Pentzer, Class of 2001
- Aishah Hasnie, Class of 2002
The 2025 inductees are:
Brandon Buck: Educator, Coach, and Leadership Consultant
Brandon Buck, a 1996 BNL graduate, continued his education at Purdue University, earning a degree in education. He dedicated over a decade to teaching high school social studies while also serving as the varsity baseball coach at Mountain Pointe High School. During his 11-year coaching tenure, he developed a highly successful program, coaching 11 high school All-Americans, sending over 60 players on to collegiate baseball careers, and producing 22 Major League Baseball draft picks. Buck emphasized character development above all, ensuring his athletes excelled both on and off the field.
Pursuing further education, Buck earned his master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration before transitioning into a career as a professional leadership coach, facilitator, and speaker in 2016. As the founder and CEO of Infinite Strengths, a leadership development company, he has consulted with major corporations, including McDonald’s and Nationwide Insurance, among several other Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies. His impact in leadership training continues to shape corporate and educational environments across the country.
For Buck, coming back to the place where it all started was a very special event. “This is very humbling. So many memories coming back about growing up here and coming to games, so to be recognized like this is pretty special.”
Indiana State Police Master Trooper Jarrod Lents: Honoring a Legacy of Service
Jarrod Lents, a 1999 graduate of BNL, pursued a career in law enforcement after earning a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from Indiana State University in 2004. He then attended the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, where he began his journey as an Indiana State Trooper.
In 2013, Lents demonstrated extraordinary bravery when he responded to a robbery in progress and was struck by gunfire multiple times. Despite his injuries, he was able to stop the suspect. For his heroism, he was awarded the Combat Action Award and the prestigious Purple Heart Award.
Lents has continued his distinguished service, using his investigative expertise to lead multiple complex cases and advocate for crime victims. In 2022, he was honored as the Indiana State Police Trooper of the Year for the entire state, a recognition of his integrity, strong work ethic, and commitment to justice.
“This means a lot. I haven’t been back here in a long time. When I was here I was pretty anonymous. This is really special, I am very honored,” Lents said of his induction.
A Legacy of Excellence
BNL High School takes great pride in its Alumni Wall of Fame, celebrating the remarkable achievements of its graduates. The additions of Buck and Lents highlight the diverse paths of success that BNL alumni pursue, whether in education, athletics, leadership, or law enforcement.
Their induction serves as an inspiration to current and future students, demonstrating the impact of dedication, perseverance, and service.
