DECATUR - Many people say they dread heading to the dentist, but Dr. Larry Osborne is pleased that doesn't apply to one of his patients.

Osborne, who is one of two local doctors to be honored today at an event spotlighting achievements of alumni from Decatur schools, said he was approached last year by a patient who wanted to nominate him for the award.

"It's just a humbling experience," said Osborne, a member of the Richland Community College Board of Trustees, of being chosen as one of seven outstanding alumni to be feted tonight at the Decatur Public Schools Foundation's Legacy of Learning awards dinner.

Dinner sponsors include Archer Daniels Midland Co., Caterpillar Inc., Decatur Memorial Hospital, the Herald & Review and Millikin University.

Osborne said being honored has prompted some reminiscing about old teachers, friends and classes.

"This has been really kind of a neat experience because I've had to go back and log some memory time that we don't ever do enough of," said the 1974 MacArthur High School graduate, who attended Decatur schools from kindergarten until college.

Another honoree, Dr. Gretchen Likins Byrkit, who graduated from MacArthur in 1988, said she felt flattered to be chosen for the award among so many accomplished individuals, including 1959 Stephen Decatur High School graduate Preston Jackson.

Jackson is the developer of the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria and head of the figurative area of the Sculpture Department at the Art Institute of Chicago.

"I don't see myself in the same category as him," said Byrkit, chairwoman of Decatur Memorial Hospital's Obstetrics and Gynecology Department and an instructor to residents with the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

Other honorees are 1973 MacArthur graduate Marcia Morey, a North Carolina judge and former Olympic swimmer; 1996 MacArthur graduate and former WAND-TV journalist Mikaela Hunt, who is now with NBC 4 in Columbus, Ohio; and 1998 MacArthur graduate Corey McAfee, director of assessment for New America Schools in Denver, Colo.

Jeffrey Black, a 1971 Eisenhower High School graduate, also is being recognized as outstanding trustee for his work on the Decatur Public Schools Foundation board, which has given more than $1 million to Decatur public schools projects since 1996.

"This event is the foundation's way of illustrating to our community what a great education our children do receive and how far that our alumni can go with their Decatur public school education," said Judy Taylor, the foundation's executive director.

Byrkit said she hopes the ceremony not only makes it clear to parents and people in the community what is possible for the graduates of Decatur schools, but also to existing students.

"The people who need to understand about my situation are the people who are sitting in the classroom at MacArthur right now," Byrkit said.

Mary Tallon can be reached at mtallon@herald-review.com or 421-7984.