Seneca Past & Present, Inc: 1939 Goldsmith Lane, Suite 134, Louisville, KY 40218
Seneca High School: 3510 Goldsmith Lane, Louisville, KY 40220
2025
Matt Durrant
Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court
Class of 1975
During his time at Seneca, Matt Durrent was an outstanding student, multi-sport athlete, 1975 Student Council President, and the unofficial “Red & Gold” flag bearer. If Seneca had traded students like pro sports teams, we would have slapped a “franchise player” tag on him.
From Seneca, the young man who would become Chief Justice Durrant headed to BYU, then Harvard Law. Beyond the courtroom, Chief Justice Durrant is committed to legal education, serving as an adjunct teaching professor at BYU’s Reuben Clark Law School. His influence extends nationally—in 2024, he was elected President of both the National Conference of Chief Justices and the National Center for State Courts, a shining testament to his leadership in the nation’s legal community.
From student leader at Seneca High School to one of the most respected legal figures in the Nation, Matthew Durrant’s journey is a sterling example of dedication, perseverance, and excellence.
Phil Hoagland
Seneca Theatre Arts Director, 1994-2010
Class of 1989
A member of the Seneca graduating class of 1989 and a product of Gene Stickler’s Theatre Arts program, Phil Hoagland inherited that revered institution and kept it alive for sixteen years, positively impacting the lives of hundreds of students. From 1994 to 2010, Mr. Hoagland taught Theatre, English, Humanities, and Speech; and directed not only the legendary senior plays but also the smaller and more intimate spring plays in Stickler Theatre. His highly trained students provided technical support for dozens of student productions, talent shows, concerts, public events, and ceremonies for the school each year.
Mr. Hoagland’s students learned not only to embody characters in plays but also to develop personal character. “It’s being a part of something bigger than yourself,” he says. “Being in a play requires a kind of intricate cooperation, whether you are onstage in an acting role or in an offstage technical role. But to do great theatre, you have to become relentlessly focused on and responsive to the needs of others around you. I enjoy watching kids grow up; I love watching them learn to do things with excellence–things they never knew were possible.”
Mr. Hoagland and his artistic collaborators built a safe place for students to be themselves; he fostered their creativity in an age when the beautiful concept of school theatre held less and less value to a culture more enamored with posting ten-second internet videos than memorizing scripts to perform for live audiences. He kept a Seneca tradition alive that existed decades before him.
From the first read-through to the last dress rehearsal, Hoagland ran rigorous rehearsals. Before opening night of each production, you’d find him backstage handing over to his cast and crew the imaginary “keys” to their show. During performances, he remained on a headset providing support and guidance for his stage managers and house managers. “I don’t want to be the one taking bows,” he says. “I want to be the one making sure it all comes together for them.”
After the mandated re-staffing of the school in 2010, Mr. Hoagland went on to teach at Doss and Atherton High Schools. This year, as it happens, marks his retirement. He still considers the years he devoted to the Seneca Theatre Arts program the most rewarding part of his 30-year career. “Alumni who were involved in the Seneca Theatre Arts program share a special bond–regardless of when we were in it–even with those we’ve never met,” he says. “It’s something that is an indelible part of us. It was a privilege to share that part of my experience with so many other students.”
Brandt House
Pilot
Class of 1989
Lieutenant Colonel Brandt House (Ret.) is a proud Seneca High School alum whose journey from the halls of Louisville to the skies of the world reflects his lifelong commitment to family, community, and country. At Seneca, Brandt was voted Mr. ROTC of his Marine Corps JROTC unit, named Best Physique by his classmates (check the yearbook), earned a varsity letter in football, and became a lifelong learner. Those experiences laid the foundation for a 21-
year career in the United States Air Force, following in the footsteps of his mother, Elizabeth House, a Kentucky Air National Guard veteran.
In 1993, Brandt earned admission to the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he lettered in football, sang in the Gospel Choir, and served on the Way of Life Committee (USAFA’s Black Student Union). Upon graduating in 1997, he began his journey as an Air Force pilot — a childhood dream realized in 1999 when he earned his wings and took his first assignment flying KC-135 Stratotankers at Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota.
One defining moment came on October 7, 2001 — the opening night of the Global War on Terrorism — when Brandt and his crew flew the first aerial refueling mission of the war. Despite experiencing multiple in-flight system failures on takeoff, they completed the six-hour mission and returned the aircraft safely, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for their heroism.
Across a dynamic career, Brandt served at MacDill AFB, FL, Kadena AB, Japan, and beyond, completing 14 deployments, more than 300 combat flight hours, and receiving five Air Medals. Later, he helped shape U.S. nuclear deterrence policy and even delivered weapons inspectors to Ulan-Ude, Russia, supporting the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).
After retiring in 2014, Brandt continued serving his community, completing a seven-year term on his local school board. Today, he flies internationally as a First Officer on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for United Airlines.
Brandt holds a B.S. in General Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy, an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis, and a Master’s in Aviation Business Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University — his mother’s alma mater.
Most importantly, Brandt credits his success to the unwavering support of his family and his roots in Louisville. He’s especially proud of his daughter, Bailey, a 2025 high school graduate, National Honor Society member, and former captain of her cheer team, who is studying abroad in Barcelona before starting at the University of Miami in January 2026.
Looking back on the journey from the classrooms of Seneca to the cockpit of a Dreamliner, Brandt admits he wasn’t the easiest student to teach, but he’s forever grateful to the teachers and mentors at Seneca who saw something in him long before he saw it in himself.
David Mattingly
Reporter, CNN and WAVE 3
David Mattingly is a Peabody and Emmy Award-winning journalist with nearly five decades of experience reporting domestically and abroad. A proud “Louisville Boomerang,” David attended Seneca High School and currently works at WAVE News, where he anchors newscasts and reports nightly.
For 23 years, David had a front-row seat to history as a CNN National Correspondent. He has reported on every US President since Gerald Ford and covered many of the most important events of our time, including the attacks of 9-11 and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
His career as a journalist began in Alabama, where David was an award-winning anchor, reporter, and documentary producer at WVTM, the NBC affiliate. He has since traveled more than a million miles, to 6 continents, all 50 states and more than 20 countries. Along the way, David earned a reputation as a challenging interviewer, as well as a provocative and compelling storyteller.
David now considers returning to his hometown to be his most rewarding assignment. Buy him a bourbon, and he will gladly tell you why coming home is the best decision he ever made.
Susie Spurlock Rhode
Nurse
Class of 1973
Susie Spurlock Rhode served on the student council for all four years she attended Seneca, was crowned Football Homecoming Queen in 1972, and earned the title of Ms. Seneca in 1973. These weren’t just titles—they were testaments to the respect, admiration, and affection her classmates held for her. Susie Spurlock is more than a proud alumnus; she is a standard-bearer for what Seneca High School stands for: integrity, leadership, and lifelong service. Her impact on classmates, coworkers, and her community is lasting.
Mrs.Spurlock Rhodes traded in tiaras for hospital scrubs and never looked back. For five decades she transformed from homecoming royalty into healthcare royalty. Susie became the nurse every patient prayed for and every doctor wished they could clone.
From Ms. Seneca to Super Nurse, Susie Spurlock lived a life that blended charm with strength, teenage dreams with lasting impact. In a world that needs more people willing to care, serve, and keep showing up, Mrs.Spurlock Rhodes shines bright.
Do you know someone who should be in the Seneca Hall of Fame?
Nominate them for entry! We accept Hall of Fame nominations year round and announce inductees at our annual Hall of Fame Banquet. Please use the nomination form and share who you think should be inducted next year.