SPS inducts three alumni into Hall of Fame

Oct. 16, 2025

During a luncheon at noon Thursday, Oct. 16, Springfield Public Schools honored three outstanding graduates by inducting them into the 2025 Hall of Fame. This is the 16th year, SPS has honored alumni who have achieved success in their profession, contributed to their community or distinguished themselves in ways that make them inspirational examples for current SPS students.

The Class of 2025 SPS Hall of Fame inductees are Ken McClure, former mayor and civic leader; Warren Robinett, inventor of the action-adventure video game genre; and Nancy Allen, attorney and New York Times bestselling author.

Ken McClure

Parkview High School, Class of 1968

For more than 50 years, Ken McClure has been a steady and guiding presence in public service, devoted to building a better future for his community and state. As Springfield’s four-term mayor, McClure led with a focus on public safety, economic growth and quality of life, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. He started his career as a budget analyst for the Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee, eventually serving as Chief of Staff to Gov. Matt Blunt. McClure also served in key administrative roles at City Utilities and Missouri State University. Recently, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe appointed him to serve on the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Watch Ken McClure highlight video.

Warren Robinett

Glendale High School, Class of 1970

Warren Robinett’s legacy is well known to gaming and virtual reality enthusiasts for his role in shaping the future of computer-based games and learning. In the late 1970s, as a young programmer at Atari, Robinett created Adventure, a groundbreaking game that immersed players in a world of castles, dragons and mazes. Not only was it one of the first graphics-based action-adventure games, it was the first to contain what is now known as an “Easter egg.” He later co-founded The Learning Company, which became an influential publisher of educational software for children. As his career and technology advanced, Robinett developed virtual reality software to invent groundbreaking solutions for NASA, University of North Carolina and HP Labs.

Watch Warren Robinett highlight video.

Nancy Allen

Glendale High School, Class of 1974

Long before her name appeared on The New York Times Best Sellers list, Nancy Allen was already using her skill with words to advocate for others. After earning her law degree from the University of Missouri, Allen returned to Springfield and became one of the region’s first female criminal prosecutors. During her 15 years as a Missouri Assistant Attorney General and Assistant Prosecutor, she tried more than 30 jury cases. She joined the faculty at Missouri State University, where she taught law classes for 15 years. Applying her legal expertise, Allen wrote and published the “Ozarks Mystery” series, which included four books. Her talent caught the eye of legendary author James Patterson, who invited her to collaborate. Together they have co-authored three bestselling legal thrillers: Juror #3, The Jailhouse Lawyer and The #1 Lawyer. Juror #3 debuted at No. 1 on The New York Times Best Sellers list in 2018.

Watch Nancy Allen highlight video.