Lou Ward, HHS Hall of Fame Inductee

From the Havre de Grace High School Hall of Fame Committee:

After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 1972, Lou returned to Harford County to manage the Colonel’s Choice Restaurant in Aberdeen.  He later leased the Holiday Inn Restaurant in Aberdeen.  In 1982, Lou reached his ultimate goal to buy and operate his own restaurant when he purchased the Bayou Restaurant in Havre de Grace.  Lou’s hard work and dedication to the restaurant and hospitality industry are reflected in the activities in which he is involved and the recognition he has received.  These include being nominated for Restaurateur of the Year by the Restaurant Association of Maryland in 1997;  helping to establish and serving as President of the Harford County Restaurant Association and initiating the “Taste of Harford County”; serving as Chairman of the Board for the Restaurant Association of Maryland in 2003 and being honored for his dedicated service to the restaurant industry; receiving the Harford Award presented by Harford County Government, Harford County Chamber of Commerce and Harford Community College in 2004; and being inducted into the Restaurant Association of Maryland Hall of Fame in 2007.  Lou’s dedication and support of Harford County Public Schools is reflected in his generous donations as well as the gift of his time.  His contributions include donating and serving dinner for as many as 200 guests for the Harford County Teacher of the Year Banquet for 17 years; donating and, as a true role model, personally serving dinner at the completion of each season for the Havre de Grace High School Athletic Boosters to an average of 100 student athletes and their coaches; continuing  to support and contribute to the Havre de Grace High School S.M.I.L.E.S. volunteer organization by donating all of the canned vegetables for the S.M.I.L.E.S. annual Thanksgiving Dinner for the past 23 years; playing an integral part in the organization of the Pro-Start Program in the Harford County School System which helps to encourage and institute curriculum for high school students interested in pursuing careers in the restaurant industry.  Lou has been recognized for his many contributions by the following community organizations:  the Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps; the Susquehanna Hose Company; Harford Memorial Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary; Havre de Grace Boy Scout Troops; The Salvation Army of Havre de Grace; the Boys and Girls Club of Harford County; HHS S.M.I.L.E.S.; Decoy Museum; Lockhouse Museum; Maritime Museum; and numerous other civic organizations in Havre de Grace.  He is a true role model to the local youth and students by showing them not only to give back to their community, but also, that one of the greatest gifts they can give or donate is their time.