The 2017 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame was inducted in front of 500 people (a sell out) in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott at Key Center on April 18, 2017.
Over 150 worthy candidates were nominated for the 2017 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The selection committee was advised by previously inducted members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.
![2017 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame](https://clevelandinternationalhalloffame.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2017-class.jpg)
The Cleveland International Hall of Fame Class of 2017 consists of
(in alphabetical order) :
By clicking on the links above you can see photos and videos of the inductee at the Hall of Fame ceremony.
The ceremony on April 18, 2017 began after a networking/cocktail hour. The Horizon Science Academy’s Junior ROTC Color Guard presented the colors to begin the 2017 Cleveland International Hall of Fame inductions.
![Horizon Science Academy's Junior ROTC Color Guard](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ie-color-guard.jpg)
![Horizon Science Academy's Junior ROTC Color Guard](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ie-color-guard-2.jpg)
Andrea Anelli, director of ContempOpera Cleveland led the crowd of 500 in the national anthem.
![Andrea Anelli](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ie-andrea-anelli.jpg)
![Andrea Anelli](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/anthem-andrea-anelli.jpg)
Watch a short video of the Color Guard and National Anthem.
![Andrea Anelli leads national anthem](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ie-anthem-2.jpg)
Dan Hanson of ClevelandPeople.Com was the MC for the 2017 Cleveland International Hall of Fame inductions.
![Dan Hanson](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ie-dan-hanson-mic.jpg)
Dan introduced the inductees, thanked the sponsors and spoke about the state of ethnics and diversity in Cleveland comparing it to the problems in the rest of the world by referencing the “Chinese curse” ‘May you live in interesting times.”
![Dan Hanson](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ie-dan-hanson-mic2.jpg)
Board members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame were introduced.
![Board members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame - Debbie Hanson, Steve Owendoff, John Lewis and Bill Carney](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ie-cihf-board.jpg)
(not pictured – Dan Hanson and Mike Miller)
Reverend Remus Grama from Saint Mary Romanian Orthodox Cathedral gave the blessing before dinner.
![Reverend Remus Grama](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ih-remus-grama.jpg)
After dinner, the Marriott servers and wait staff were thanked.
![Debbie Hanson](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ih-debbie-hanson.jpg)
![](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ie-thank-servers.jpg)
Then the Class of 2017 was inducted.
![Mona Alag, Jim Craciun and Basil Russo](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/a-mona-craciun-basil.jpg)
![](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/a-wael-miller-kim.jpg)
Click on a name to go to the page with their bio and photos and video of the induction.
![Mona Alag](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ie-mona-alag-2.jpg)
![](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ie-mona-alag-sudarshan.jpg)
![](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ia-jim-craciun-1.jpg)
![](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ie-jim-craciun-matt-zone.jpg)
![](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ie-wael-khoury.jpg)
![](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ie-wael-khoury-nizar-zein.jpg)
![](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ih-sam-kim.jpg)
![](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ie-ki-sam-kim.jpg)
![](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ie-marianna-miller.jpg)
![](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ie-august-pust-marianna-miller.jpg)
![](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ie-basil-russo-1.jpg)
![](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ie-basil-russo-kids3.jpg)
The 2017 Cleveland International Hall of Fame inductions concluded with Dan Hanson making a personal comment about each of the 6 inductees: Sam Kim, Bill Miller, Dr. Wael Khoury, Basil Russo, Jim Craciun and Mona Alag. He then led the audience in a toast to the new class.
![Dan Hanson toasting the inductees](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/ih-dan-hanson-toast.jpg)
![](http://www.clevelandpeople.com/images/events/2017/cihf/pe-toast.jpg)
Cleveland International Hall of Fame Class of 2017 Photo Page – Attendee Photos