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keystone2010WEB

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Michael Tullier, MPA, APR

The document is an annual publication from 2010 of the Auburn University College of Education that provides updates on programs, research, alumni achievements and fundraising for the college. It includes articles on partnerships with local schools, international collaborations, military health initiatives, and profiles alumni in various fields who have found success. The publication serves to connect and engage alumni and friends of the college on the progress and priorities within the institution.

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College of Education Office of the Dean 3084 Haley Center 735 Extension Loop Road Auburn, Alabama 36849-5218 Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 530 Montgomery, AL ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Reconnect with fellow College of Education graduates through these social and career networking Web sites: AuburnUniversityCollegeofEducation2010Keystone,volumeVii Blueprint for success Kochan helps college build bright future Blueprint for success Kochan helps college build bright future Collaboration | National award-winning partnership, pg 3 Military | College contributes to soldiers’ health, pg 26 Precious cargo | Johns ’57 values education, pg 46 Blueprint for success Kochan helps college build bright future | Page 8 Volume VIi, 2010 The Auburn University College of Education Magazine Find a link to all our social networking groups at education.auburn.edu/alumni/groups
Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institution/employer. ©2010, Auburn University College of Education Volume VII, 2010 The Keystone is an annual publication of the Auburn University College of Education, produced and distributed to alumni and friends of the college through the generous contributions of private donors. in the moment Keystone editor Troy Johnson Layout, Design and Photography Amanda J. Earnest Thanks to the Auburn Office of Communications and Marketing for contributing content. Additional photography by Auburn Photographic Services, Auburn Libraries: Special Collections and Archives and Village Photographers. Send address changes to eduinfo@auburn.edu, or by mail to the attention of Michael Tullier, APR. Auburn University College of Education Office of External Relations 3084 Haley Center Auburn, Alabama 36849-5218 334.844.4446 education.auburn.edu eduinfo@auburn.edu Dean Dr. Frances K. Kochan Director of External Relations Michael Tullier, APR in the momenta photographic review of 2009 Now you have SIXreasons to get an Auburn University tag: Buy your tag at the county tag office—make a difference and share the spirit in welcoming new students to the Auburn family by supporting scholarships. www.auburn.edu/cartags 1 Six characters are now available for optimum personalization (personalize your tag at no additional cost). 2 New, cool design featuring lots of orange and blue. 3 Your purchase supports scholarships. 4 You show your Auburn pride and spirit to the world, or at least to other drivers in Alabama (or wherever the road may take you). 5 You’ll be a cool cat, just like Aubie. 6 Why not? LTL_KeystoneMag Ad_0210.indd 1 2/15/10 3:54:15 PM
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 1 every issue departments 36-37 Curriculum and Teaching 38-39 Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology 40-41 Kinesiology 42-43 Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology 44 Truman Pierce Institute 45 Office of the Dean 2-6 Education Extra 7 Retired Faculty and Staff 16 University Highlights 16-23 Student Success 24-25 Scholarship and Awards Ceremonies 26-35 Research and Outreach 49 College Knowledge 50-51 National Advisory Council 52-55 Alumni News 56-63 Development 64-72 Alumni Notes in this issue EDUCATION EXTRA Setting the standard | page 3 Professional Development System partnership earns national recognition An educator to remember | page 8 Dr. Frances Kochan’s tenure as dean comes to a close, and the college has been forever transformed by her leadership INTERNATIONAL Spanning the globe | page 14 Partnerships with universities in Korea and Egypt create exchange opportunities RESEARCH AND OUTREACH Serving those who serve us | page 26 Graduate athletic trainers keep Army infantry recruits on their feet A very busy year | page 33 Grant submissions, external funding are on the rise KEYSTONE LEADER High achiever on the high seas | page 46 Robert Kenneth Johns ’57 draws on successes of his career as a container shipping pioneer Alumni Sunny side up | page 52 Egg entrepreneur Wayne McElrath ’52 earns college’s outstanding alumnus award On the Cover: Christopher Arnold, an associate professor in Auburn’s College of Architecture, Design and Construction’s Department of Industrial and Graphic Design, helped illustrate Dean Frances Kochan’s role as architect throughout her tenure by creating a blueline of the keystone for our cover. Ben Farrow, an assistant professor in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction’s McWhorter School of Building Science, arranged studio space. You can own everything on our cover, minus the blueprint and drafting table. Shop education.auburn.edu/edustore
Keystone Volume VII, 20102 Dear Alumni and Friends: During a recent dinner with members of the Patrons of the Keystone- Dean’s Circle — my last as dean — I shared with this group of committed Education sup- porters my favorite book. And I shared with them that this much-loved bedtime book, Love You Forever, speaks quite succinctly to my time as your dean of education. When I joined the faculty in 1994, but especially when I began serving in 2001 as interim dean, I saw my role as a nurturing one — much like the mother in the story. And I’m proud today of the programs and efforts in which many participate that strive to nurture, mentor and further the college, those students who study in it, those faculty and staff who establish their careers in it, and those alumni and friends who give of their time and resources to support it. But, as I reflect on my time as dean, I’ve come to realize that I’ve been nurtured by the college in much the same way the mother of the story is cared for later in life by her son. I am sure that many of our faculty will agree that as we strive to enrich the lives of our students, they end up giving back to us. I see that every day, but am equally blessed to work with so many outstanding colleagues and witness the unwavering commitment of our alumni and friends who make our teaching, research and outreach mission possible. Our college would not be what it is today, nor would I personally, without the commitment of so many who are dedicated to improving our state, nation and world through education. This current academic year is among the most exciting our college has seen this decade, and I’m happy to see a few of those endeavors highlighted in the pages of this, our seventh, edition of the Keystone. In this edition, you will find articles about school partnerships, research and innovation and student and alumni achievements. Thank you for your interest in and support of all our college does. As a new dean joins the college in the coming months, I ask you to seek ways to nurture our college’s efforts to prepare educators and professionals for the job of build- ing better futures for all. War Eagle! Frances K. Kochan, Ph.D. Dean and Wayne T. Smith Distinguished Professor U.S.News ranks Auburn education school in top 25 percent A Messagefrom the Dean As part of its annual college rankings pro- gram, U.S.News and World Report ranked Auburn University’s College of Education No. 71 nation- ally — and 50th among public institutions — in its 2010 “Best Graduate Schools” publication. U.S.News made the information available on its Web site in April 2009. The current rankings represent the third consecutive year the college has been in the top 25 percent of schools surveyed. Auburn advanced to its current standing from its No. 77 spot in the 2009 “Best Graduate Schools,” released in 2008. Graduate programs at 278 schools of education granting doctoral degrees in education were surveyed in fall 2008 and early 2009.   “Our presence among the top quartile of education schools speaks to the commitment our faculty, staff and administrators show in creating and implementing high-quality programs and upholding our core values,’’ said Dr. Frances Kochan, dean of the College of Education. The college ranked higher than any school of education — public or private — in Alabama. The rankings are determined using a formula that includes reputational surveys completed by edu- cation school deans, education school academic associate deans and randomly selected school superintendents across the country. Other factors that affect a school’s rank include its research funding, faculty-to-doctoral student ratios, and Graduate Record Examination scores and accep- tance rates for incoming doctoral candidates. “While these most recent rankings reflect what has happened within our college in the last year, I am particularly excited about our future,’’ Kochan said. “We have been able to expand exist- ing and identify new forms of research support while also strengthening our internal support of faculty pursuing funding. “We expect to build on our success by fol- lowing a five-year strategic plan, which places particular emphasis on school and community partnerships, as well as research and innovation.’’
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 3 Education Extra Dr. Shannon Brandt ’94, a fourth grade teacher at Wrights Mill Road Elementary School, has examined the Profes- sional Development System partnership between Auburn City Schools and Auburn University’s College of Education from every possible angle. She experienced it from the perspective of an Auburn University undergraduate student and a graduate student, a lab student and an intern, an adjunct instructor and an elementary school teacher. That constant contact, extended in her current role as Auburn City Schools’ PDS liaison, has enabled her to see the full range of the partnership’s benefits for administrators, faculty and students at the university and K-12 levels. “It’s a reciprocal effect,’’ said Brandt, a three-time College of Education graduate. “They make us better and we make them bet- ter. We feel like we have a resource that can help us professionally as part of a larger professional learning community.’’ The PDS collaboration now exists as a standard-bearer for partnerships between universities and local school systems. The Holmes Partnership, a consortium of approximately 100 research universities, honored Auburn’s PDS nationally with its 2010 Nancy Zimpher Award for Best Partnership. Representatives of ACS and the College of Education received the award at the 14th Annual Holmes Partnership Conference, held in January in Charleston, S.C. Auburn University is a charter mem- ber of the Holmes Partnership, which seeks “to enhance the quality of career professionals in teaching.’’ The partnership between Auburn University and ACS encour- ages collaboration among educators, students, future classroom teachers, parents and other community stakeholders. Currently, Auburn University faculty and their ACS counterparts are engaged in more than 20 ongoing initiatives that involve everything from mathematics to physical education. Dr. Terry Jenkins ’83, superintendent for Auburn City Schools, said the research resources made available by Auburn University have proven valuable in assessing strengths and opportunities for improvement at the K-12 level. “We have become very much a data-driven school district,’’ said Jenkins, a College of Education graduate and member of its Na- tional Advisory Council. “We’re able to analyze the data to improve instruction delivered to our children on a regular basis.’’ Dean Frances Kochan said members of the PDS Council have ensured the partnership adheres to the standards of excellence set by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. “We got together with our partners and decided we would take those standards of excellence and build our partnership up to them,’’ she said. According to Dr. Charles Eick, associate professor in the col- lege’s Department of Curriculum and Teaching, a couple of specific factors enable Auburn’s PDS to stand out. “Most PDS arrangements are between a university and an indi- vidual school,’’ said Eick, who helped initiate the Zimpher Award application as the college’s former PDS liaison. “We have a lot of discipline-specific professional development taking place.’’ This involvement takes many forms, including College of Educa- tion students interning, and faculty teaching courses and working with ACS to shape curriculum. ACS educators, from every level of K-12, are encouraged to take advantage of such professional development opportunities by conducting research with or receiv- ing mentorship from university faculty, attending conferences and pursuing advanced degrees or special training. Both the College of Education and ACS derive benefits from the relationship. Auburn students receive classroom experience that will prepare them for the workforce. ACS educators and Auburn faculty sharpen their classroom teaching and research skills. And, ultimately, ACS students reap the rewards of the com- mitment displayed by both partners. Auburn University, Auburn City Schools Professional Development System named best in nation Representatives of Auburn City Schools and the college attended the Holmes Partnership Conference in January. The PDS collaboration includes more than 20 ongoing initiatives.
Keystone Volume VII, 20104 Education Extra The College of Education started 2010 by welcoming a new coor- dinator of assessment and evaluation and appointing new personnel to key roles involving diversity. Dr. Leonard Lock joined the college in January as its coordinator of assessment and evaluation. A 20-year veteran of the field, Lock previously served as a senior staff assistant of assessment/ data manager for the State University of New York Plattsburgh’s Division of Education, Health and Human Services. In that role, Lock helped lead a successful effort to attain national accreditation for the university’s Teacher Education Unit. Lock, who earned his doctorate at Temple University, also served in a variety of assessment and ac- countability roles for Maryland Public Schools and the Pennsylvania State Department of Education. While in Maryland, Lock worked to help schools meet No Child Left Behind Act adequate yearly progress standards, as well as school system benchmark assessment implementations and evalu- ations. During his time in Pennsylvania, Lock managed the first “Data Driven Decision Making’’ Governor’s Institute and supervised the multimillion dollar Pennsylvania School Performance Account- ability Incentive Program. Dr. Paulette Patterson Dilworth, Auburn University’s assistant vice president for access and community initiatives, is working with the college on a half-time basis as its diversity of- ficer. A former associate professor in the School of Education at Indiana University, Dilworth has more than 30 years of experience in higher education diversity consulting and training, recruitment, retention and teaching. Dr. Jared Russell, an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology, supports the college’s diversity objectives by coordinating minority graduate recruitment and retention on a part-time basis. Russell, who specializes in physical education teacher education, works with the college’s four departments to develop plans and strategies involving minority graduate recruitment and retention. College adds resources for assessment and evaluation, diversity The College of Education helped set the standard for giving among other campus units during the 2009 Faculty Staff Campaign by achieving a 100-percent participation rate for the first time since the campaign’s inception. “I cannot thank you enough for your willingness to come together and contribute to this campaign,’’ Dean Frances Kochan said to faculty and staff after learning of the achievement. “I am very grateful to all of you.’’ The College of Education and School of Nursing led the 13 academic units with 100 percent participation rates. Among the university’s non-academic units, the President’s Office, and offices of Alumni Affairs, Student Affairs, Development, and Communications and Marketing achieved 100 percent participation in the campaign. As a whole, Auburn University continued to outpace peer Southeastern Conference institu- tions in campus support efforts with an unprecedented 70.33 percent participation level. In 2008 the College of Education ranked second among academic colleges and schools with an 82-percent participat- ing level. Every year since 2006, the college’s participation level has been higher than the overall university average. The involvement of college faculty and staff has risen by double-digit percentage points in each of the last four years. The college’s 100 percent participation rate inspired 1968 gradu- ate Wayne T. Smith to make an unprecedented gesture. Smith and his wife, Cheryl, who is also a 1968 College of Educa- tion graduate, surprised Kochan with a gift matching a portion of the campaign contributions made by faculty and staff. College achieves perfection in 2009 Faculty Staff Campaign Learn more about the campaign at education.auburn.edu/100percent.
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 5 Education Extra D r. Kimberly Walls possesses vivid memories of bright autumn Saturdays when she eagerly awaited the moment to start the show and strike up the band. As the drum major for the Auburn University Marching Band during her undergraduate days, she was always out in front when the first notes of “War Eagle’’ began whipping a crowded stadium into full frenzy. By the time Walls reached midfield, the rhythm, the melody and pageantry had created a harmonious cosmic swirl, transforming a patch of grass and painted white lines into some- thing far different. “I felt as if the stadium was my oyster,’’ said Walls, who earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education at Auburn. After teaching band in Alabama schools, she completed her doctor- ate in music education at Florida State University. And now, 13 years after returning to Auburn as a faculty mem- ber in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, Walls continues to mold a pearl of a music education program. Her care in design- ing and leading an innovative graduate distance learning program for practicing music education professionals hasn’t gone unnoticed by the university community. Auburn University’s Graduate School named Walls as the Distin- guished Graduate Faculty Lecturer for 2008-09. Walls delivered an October lecture about her efforts to integrate technology into music education. She was selected for the honor by a panel drawn from the 34 previous winners of the award, sponsored jointly by the Auburn Alumni Association and the Auburn Graduate School. Recipients, nominated by deans and department heads and chosen by the Graduate Faculty Council on the basis of excellence in research, receive a $2,000 award from the Alumni Association. Walls earned the honor based on her service as graduate program officer for the Department of Curriculum and Teaching (one of the university’s largest graduate programs) from 2004-08 and the quality of her research. Her areas of emphasis include the applica- tion of technology in music class- rooms, music perception, general music education and instrumental music education. Not that there was ever much doubt about what field Walls would enter. Her Double Springs, Ala., home was filled with all manner of songs. Walls’ mother sang in her high school choir, while her father performed in his high school and college bands. She also heard plenty of stories about her great-grandfather, who was a band leader in England. “It was in my blood,’’ Walls said. It continues to course through her veins as she shares the joy of teaching music with her undergraduate and graduate students. Thus far, she has chaired the committees of 96 Auburn University graduate students who have completed their degrees. Observing her courses conjures up images of a former drum major. With her distance education students participat- ing in classes equipped with two-way video streaming, Walls engages and informs them. Walls said her marching band roots help facilitate classroom interaction with students who are log- ging in from as far away as Idaho and New Jersey. “As a conductor, you’re always used to being in front of groups,’’ said Walls, who is also the 2008 recipient of the college’s Emily & Gerald Leischuck Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award. “You’re used to being on stage.’’ Walls contributes to the body of knowledge in her field through research and service. Much like her days as a drum major, Walls continues to lead. More importantly, she strives to keep her students in step while helping them learn how to engage an audience as mu- sicians/teachers who also conduct research. “I really enjoy seeing them become familiar with the field of research and wanting to contribute to it,’’ Walls said. “A lot of the professional activity that I do I do because of my students.’’ Former AU drum major leads parade of music education researchers Walls (center) with Graduate School Dean George Flowers and Vice President of Alumni Affairs Debbie Shaw ’84.
Keystone Volume VII, 20106 Education Extra Strutchens and Kaminsky earn endowed professorships One works in a structured world defined by numbers, while the other works in a field of applied philosophy. In spite of the topical differences between mathematics and edu- cational philosophy, however, Drs. Marilyn Strutchens and James Kaminsky have demonstrated their talent for solving problems and improving practices in their respective academic fields. Both College of Education faculty members are 2009 recipients of the Mildred Cheshire Fraley Distinguished Professorship. Since their creation, the College of Education’s four endowed professorships have honored 23 faculty — 16 of whom still remain members today. Strutchens, a professor of mathematics education and Math- ematics Education program coordinator for the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, joined the College of Education faculty in 2000. Her work as co-director of Transform- ing East Alabama Mathematics (TEAM-Math), a partnership involving Auburn University’s College of Education and College of Science and Mathe- matics, along with Tuskegee University faculty and local educators, has been instrumental in improv- ing math education in regional school districts. In the last year alone, TEAM-Math established a pair of Teacher Leader academies to build the professional knowledge of math educators in the region. In 2008, Strutchens received the inaugural Distinguished Diversity Researcher Award from the Auburn University Research Initiative for the Study of Diversity and Auburn’s Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs. Her research focuses on factors that affect students’ mathematics achievement, with particular attention to African-American students. She studies such factors as socioeco- nomic status, access to mathematics courses, teachers’ beliefs about students, parental influence and students’ expectations and beliefs. Kaminsky, a professor of social foundations in the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology, has been a member of the college’s faculty since 1990. He was head of the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology from 1992 to 2001, and was a past executive editor of Education Philosophy and Theory. His teaching interests include philosophy of education, history of ideas and American pragmatism. Kaminsky is actively involved in the Southeast Philosophy of Education Society, an organization of academicians from 10 different states who explore such topics as home and charter schools, social justice, teaching methods, qualitative research, teacher education and morality and civics in classroom settings. Kaminsky served as the soci- ety’s president from 1994 to 1995. Kaminsky, whose honors include Auburn University’s Authors Cup and the 2005 SGA Outstanding College of Education Professor, has focused much of his research on the history of educational philosophy, post-modern theory in educational administration and neo-pragmatism in educational thought. A former faculty member and associate dean at the University of New England in Australia, Kaminsky has actively encouraged students to take advantage of international learning opportunities. Wayne T. Smith Professors Dr. Joseph Buckhalt, 2003 Dr. Mark Fischman, 2004 Dr. Frances K. Kochan, 2005 Dr. Peter Hastie, 2008 Dr. E. Davis Martin, 2007 Dr. Randall McDaniel, 2002 Dr. Mary Rudisill, 2004 Humana-Germany- Sherman Professors Dr. Craig Darch, 1999 Dr. Bruce Gladden, 1999 Dr. David D. Pascoe, 2007 Dr. David M. Shannon, 2007 Dr. Bonnie White, 2002 Mildred Cheshire Fraley Professors Dr. James Kaminsky, 2010 Dr. Marie Kraska, 2003 Dr. Marilyn Strutchens, 2010 Emily R. and Gerald S. Leischuck Professor Dr. W. Gary Martin, 2008 Drs. Marilyn Strutchens and James Kaminsky are among 16 current faculty who have earned endowed professorships. Learn more about the college’s endowed professorships at education.auburn.edu/ facultystaff/professorships
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 7 The College of Education mourned the loss of two beloved former professors in 2009 — Drs. Cayce Scarborough and Jone Perryman Wright. Scarborough, a professor emeritus of vocational and adult education, passed away in September 2009. He was 97. Wright, an associate professor emeritus in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, passed away in June 2009. She was 75. Scarborough’s career began in 1935 as a high school agricul- ture teacher. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in general education and agricultural science, respectively, from Auburn, and taught at the university from 1947-49 and again from 1973- 79. Scarborough was among the College of Education’s first vocational education faculty members. After retiring, Scarborough helped develop the Auburn Uni- versity Academy of Lifelong Learners (now known as OLLI). Wright, who retired from Auburn in 1991, taught at Auburn and the University of Alabama for a combined 35 years after serving as an elementary school teacher. Wright earned her bachelor’s degree from Weslyan and her master’s degree from the University of Georgia. Before completing her doctorate at the University of Alabama, Wright lived in Europe for several years. The College of Education bid a fond farewell five faculty members, who served a combined 123 years with the university, and three staff members. Drs. Debra Cobia, Gerald Halpin, Glennelle Halpin and Judith Lechner were recognized for their valuable contributions to the college during May 2009 retirement celebrations. Each was awarded emeritus faculty status as acknowledged by Auburn University President Jay Gogue. Dr. Elizabeth Senger, who began teaching mathematics education in the Department of Curricu- lum and Teaching in 1996, retired in December 2009. Cobia, professor and School Counseling program coordi- nator in the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology, had been a member of the college’s faculty since 1990. Among her academic credentials is a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Auburn. Gerald Halpin, a professor of educational research and statis- tics in the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology, served on the college’s faculty for 35 years. He came to Auburn in 1974. Like her husband, Glennelle Halpin, a professor of education psychology in EFLT, also served on the college’s faculty for 35 years. A Mildred Cheshire Fraley distinguished professor, she focused her research on program evaluation, problem solving and motivation. Lechner, a professor in EFLT’s School Library Media/Tech- nology program, served on the college’s faculty for 21 years. Senger specialized in mathematics education at the elemen- tary and secondary levels. Sharon Huey, an administrative support associate in the Department of Kinesiology, retired in March 2010 after 25 years of service. Patsy Dawson, a specialist in contracts and grants in SERC, retired in December 2009 after 28 years of service to Auburn University. Sheila Wood, an administrative associate in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, also retired in December 2009. College grieves loss of two family members College bids farewell to seven retirees Curriculum and Teaching Dr. Elizabeth Senger Sheila Wood Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology Dr. Gerald Halpin Dr. Glennelle Halpin Dr. Judith Lechner Kinesiology Sharon Huey Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology Dr. Debra Cobia Patsy Dawson The College of Education bid farewell to eight of its own since the publication of the last keystone. We wish them well in their retirement. We want to hear from you! The College of Education wants to maintain a strong connection with retired faculty and staff. Help us stay in touch with you by providing updated contact information to Keystone editor Troy Johnson (334.844.4468 or ltj0001@auburn.edu) Retired Faculty and Staff Blasts from the past The Department of Kinesiology welcomed retired faculty members to campus for a special event with current faculty and graduate students. Former faculty members like Herbert “Hub’’ Waldrop, Sandra Newkirk, Jane Moore and Mel Rosen regaled the crowd with stories about their time on campus and the changes they’ve observed in the academic field of kinesiology.
Keystone Volume VII, 20108 of excellence College builds on strong reputation under Kochan’s guidance
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 9 Each year since 2005, when she broke through a glass ceiling and became the first female dean in the history of Auburn’s College of Education, Dr. Frances K. Kochan has provided leadership for more than 150 faculty and staff and 2,600 students. While Kochan has thrived in that role, there is no ambiguity as to who she is at her core. “I started out as a teacher,’’ said Kochan, who will step down as dean and return to the college’s faculty this sum- mer. “I love that role and I will always be a teacher.’’ She has come a long way since her first job almost 47 years ago, when she taught English to adults while living on the island of Yap, a tiny speck in the South Pacific, but she has remained true to her roots. She still excels at connect- ing with her audience, whether it consists of fifth-graders or potential scholarship donors.
Keystone Volume VII, 201010 “The human side of her is so visible,’’ said Dr. Susan Villaume, the college’s associate dean of academic affairs and its certification officer. “She has an amazing ability to create relationships with people, genuine relationships.’’ For most of the last decade, Kochan has channeled her considerable energy and relationship-building talents into improving the College of Education and positioning it for future success. In many ways, the lifelong teacher assumed that role as principal architect while serving as interim dean from 2001 to 2004 and dean for the last five years. “Fran’s vision has allowed us to grow,’’ said Dr. James Witte, associate professor and Adult and Higher Education program coor- dinator. That vision helped create an easily recognizable identity for the college — the keystone graphic that graces the cover of this magazine and serves as a metaphorical representation of education as a cen- tral, supporting stone within society — as well as a clearly defined conceptual framework and strategic plan. Her attention to detail and ability to plan long-range have proven instrumental in the college increasing scholarships for students, improving research capabilities of faculty, strengthening re- lationships with alumni and local school partners, and creating international exchange opportunities. Kochan accomplished this and more as dean while remaining committed to two other passions. First, her commitment to students has been clearly demonstrated through her continued efforts to advise several doctoral candidates while also fulfilling her dean’s duties. Second, she continued to be world-renowned for her research and writing on professional and student mentoring. Soon after Kochan was appointed interim dean, replacing Dr. Richard Kunkel in 2001, the college conducted a study to assess strengths and potential for improvement. Over the course of the next two years, Kochan helped identify the col- lege’s icon, the keystone, and ways to build on that brand. In addition to forming the Keystone Leader-in- Residence program, which has brought a variety of accomplished professionals to campus as guest speakers, the college published its first magazine and proclaimed its mission of developing “compe- tent,’’ “committed’’ and “reflective’’ educators. After becoming the fifth dean in the college’s history in 2005, Kochan created a climate of shared governance by establishing committees of faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners for assessment, Frances K. Kochan appointed as interim dean after Richard Kunkel leaves to become dean of the College of Education at Florida State University Study conducted to gauge college’s strengths and areas for improvement College adopts “keystone’’ as its symbol Mildred Cheshire Fraley Distinguished Professorship established Keystone Leaders-in- Residence program is launched College’s Conceptual Framework, outlining mission to build “competent,’’ “committed’’ and “reflective’’ educators, is developed First Keystone magazine is published; new Web site launched Bonnie White appointed interim dean 2001 2002 2003 2004 Through the years A look at the some of the College of Education’s milestones during Dr. Frances K. Kochan’s time as interim dean and dean Architect of excellence continued Kochan has excelled at building relationships with alumni, including former long-time National Advisory Council member Dr. Joyce Reynolds Ringer ’59.
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 11 distance education and outreach technology, di- versity, faculty and governance, field experiences, graduate academic programs, scholarship and in- novation and undergraduate academic programs. “I’m very proud of our shared governance committees, which give a voice to all constituen- cies,’’ Kochan said. “That helps us make better decisions about where we are and where we need to go in the future.’’ Always a teacher In order to fully appreciate where the College of Education is at present, one must know the forma- tive professional experiences of its leader. Kochan, more commonly known as “Fran’’ to her friends (of which there are many), cultivated her direct but com- passionate brand of leadership during a career in K-12 education that included a variety of roles. Her time teaching English to non-native speakers of the language in the Western Caroline Islands and almost four additional years of teach- ing in Guam provided countless examples of her caring touch and her resourcefulness. When she started teaching young students in Guam, they were reading from books published in and written about a wholly unfamiliar place — New York City. As project director of an “English as a Second Language’’ curriculum, she found more effective ways to engage those students. “We received funds to develop materials that were culturally relevant to them that would address reading and language development,’’ Kochan said. “We encouraged parental and community involvement. We went out into the community and collected folklore and had a com- munity advisory council that worked with us. “That was where I developed my beliefs about how you have to know the culture you’re in and create environments in teaching and learning that meet the children where they are. You bring the parents and the community into that process.’’ Kochan demonstrated a value for and an abil- ity to build those kinds of relationships on every step of her professional journey, from elementary school classrooms to her time as the first female principal in the Wakulla County (Fla.) public school system. After working her way up to assistant super- “Dr. Kochan has brought many diverse units in the College together under a unified conceptual framework and mission. There have also been significant increases in the research productivity within the college.” Dr. Mark Fischman, Wayne T. Smith distinguished professor of motor behavior Kochan named college’s first female dean and fifth overall College fosters spirit of shared governance by establishing committees for assessment, distance education and outreach technology, diversity, faculty and governance, field experiences, graduate academic programs, scholarship and innovation and undergraduate academic programs College celebrates 90th anniversary during 2005- 2006 academic year College re-emerges from ranking hiatus at No. 82 in U.S.News and World Report’s survey of American’s top 100 graduate education programs National Advisory Council refines its terms of service and committee structure, expands national alumni representation to more than 10 states College begins developing five-year strategic plan, which focuses on high- quality academic programs, international and intercultural engagement, financial prosperity, research and innovation, collaboration and partnership engagement College ranks 70th in U.S.News and World Report survey of 240 graduate schools of education Professional Development System Council formed to strengthen collaboration with Auburn City Schools and develop a template for similar future PDS partnerships 2005 2006 College of Education students -- and university icons like Aubie -- have always found Kochan to be warm and approachable. Kochan has always been willing to serve others, just as she did at the college’s 90th anniversary tailgate in 2005.
Keystone Volume VII, 201012 intendent of Wakulla County Schools, she crossed into higher education in 1987. Kochan started as a research associate at Florida State University’s Center for Instructional Development and Ser- vices, but eventually moved into the role of princi- pal/associate professor at Florida State University School, a K-12 school system that doubles as a teacher education lab for FSU’s College of Educa- tion. She became the school system’s first female director/superintendent in 1991, but left in 1994 to become an associate professor in Auburn’s Depart- ment of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology. She served as director of the Truman Pierce Institute for four years before becoming an associate dean and then interim dean all within the span of a month in 2001. Her professional development path prepared her well for the challenges and opportunities of- fered by the deanship. “I have an absolute belief that [education] is a pre-K through 20 process and it involves all aspects — the health sciences, the human sciences and the educational sciences,’’ Kochan said. “They are part of a whole and I think that’s why our col- lege is a very powerful one. We can build a better future for all and we are doing it every single day.’’ Reaching milestones As for the future of the college itself, recent ac- complishments paint a promising picture. As the Keystone went to press, a national search for Kochan’s successor had yielded finalists who were preparing for campus interviews. Whoever lands the job will find faculty and students well equipped to carry out the college’s mission of building better futures for the state, nation and world. “The college has grown in many important ways under Fran’s leadership,’’ said Dr. Cynthia Reed, professor of educational leadership and Kochan’s successor as director of the Truman Pierce Institute. “Two areas that particularly stand out for me are her emphasis on innovation and her work on relationship building, both internally and externally.’’ The two components are inextricably linked. Kochan’s ability to connect with the college’s alumni and stakeholders proved essential in developing important resources. A $1 million gift in 2006 from 1968 graduates Wayne T. and Cheryl Glass Smith led to the creation of the college’s Office of Research and Innovation in 2008. As a result, faculty sought more than $20.3 million in first-year external project funding from various sources from July 2008 to July 2009. Contrast that with the college’s previous seven- year average of $3.04 million in first-year external funding requested annually. The college has also demonstrated a commit- ment to building international research relation- College achieves continuing accreditation under performance-oriented standards of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) College ranks 62nd in U.S.News and World Report survey of top education graduate schools Academic and research partnerships are formed with the National University of Costa Rica Emily R. and Gerald S. Leischuck Endowed Professorship for Critical Needs in Education established College establishes Outstanding Faculty Early Career Award College develops and adopts core values of ethics and dignity, diversity, student focus and collaboration and public engagement Office of Research and Innovation created through $1 million gift — the largest single contribution in the college’s history — from 1968 graduates Wayne T. and Cheryl Glass Smith More than 150 scholarships awarded for the first time in college’s history College ranks 77th out of 250 graduate education programs surveyed by U.S.News and World Report College ends Auburn’s seven- year, $500 million “It Begins at Auburn’’ campaign 246 percent above its original campaign goal 2007 2008 Architect of excellence continued Kochan celebrates the success of the “It Begins at Auburn’’ campaign with (from left) Wayne T. Smith ’68, Auburn President Jay Gogue and Gordon Sherman ’57. Smith and Sherman were the college’s first two Keystone Leaders-in- Residence and both currently serve on the Auburn University Foundation Board. Smith chaired the college’s $500 million “It Begins at Auburn’’ Campaign Committee and Sherman served on the committee. Kochan visits with Dean’s Circle and National Advisory Council member Hedy White Manry ’71.
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 13 ships with universities in Costa Rica, Korea and Egypt and to helping partners closer to home. In 2010, the Professional Development System partnership between the College of Education and Auburn City Schools was recognized as the best of its kind in the nation by the Holmes Partnership. “Fran has been really essential in the kinds of professional development partnerships we have because she has invested a lot of personal time in them,’’ said Dr. John Saye, alumni professor and program coordinator of Secondary Social Science education. “Fran has been a very visible presence and advocate for our partnerships with schools and has worked to provide faculty with the re- sources they need to do research and outreach.’’ The college’s successes in those capacities have drawn attention well beyond Samford Hall. The college has been ranked among the best education graduate programs ranked by U.S.News and World Report each year since 2005. A lasting legacy As impressive as the rankings and rewards may be, Kochan’s lasting legacy will also be remem- bered for the “human touch’’ described in The Au- burn Creed. The college’s Professional Education Services staff witnessed one of those quintessen- tial Kochan moments when the dean came to the aid of a student who had lost her wallet and ID in Haley Center. Kochan comforted the crying stu- dent, provided a phone and a fistful of money unsolicit- ed. “To me, that story really captures what Fran is all about,’’ Villaume said. Bill Langley ’63, who serves as chair of the college National Advisory Council’s External Relations Committee, said Kochan meets the defi- nition of an effective leader because she inspires others. “She is a very special person,’’ he said. “She’s not heavy-handed or overbearing at all, but she gets things done and motivates people because she touches people.’’ As Kochan pointed out earlier, though, she is and always will be a teacher first. So it’s fitting that, after taking a break to decompress and spend quality time with her husband, Bill, her children and grandchildren, she will return to a faculty po- sition in the Department of Educational Founda- tions, Leadership and Technology. Kochan can retire from the deanship know- ing that she helped design a brighter future for the College of Education. Best of all, she can step away from the job feeling the same way about it as she did of her time teaching English on that tiny island in the South Pacific. “I’ve loved every single job I’ve ever had,’’ she said. College ranks 71st out of 278 graduate schools of education in U.S.News and World Report survey College achieves 100 percent participation rate in Faculty Staff Campaign for first time On 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Dean’s Circle, seven new members are welcomed into the group Student and faculty exchange partnership formed with Korea University Kochan announces decision to step down from deanship in summer 2010 College awards 168 scholarships worth more than $329,000 — both unprecedented amounts College establishes award to recognize faculty and staff outstanding commitment to diversity College’s Professional Development System collaboration with Auburn City Schools receives 2010 Nancy Zimpher Award for Best Partnership in the nation Academic and research partnership formed with Egypt’s Suez Canal University New Auburn MRI Research Center planned to open in fall, creating lab space for Kinesiology 2009 2010 Kochan welcomes National Advisory Council chair Jim Manley ’60, his wife Harriett, and National Advisory Council academic affairs committee chair Dr. Thomas Taylor ’60 to the college’s annual holiday party. Kochan helped the college pursue a number of international partnerships, including one with Egypt’s Suez Canal University. Kochan celebrates the addition of two new endowed professorships with (from left) Drs. Gary Martin, Mary Rudisill, Terry Ley, Bonnie White, Randall McDaniel, Marilyn Strutchens, David Pascoe, James Kaminsky and Mark Fischman in 2010. “The College of Education has become a kinder, gentler place under the leadership of Dr. Kochan.’’ Dr. Randall McDaniel Wayne T. Smith distinguished professor of rehabilitation
Keystone Volume VII, 201014 Having lived in Auburn for more than a year, Mohamed Sywelem has formed equally strong connections with the university’s faculty and the local community. “I have a deep appreciation for Auburn Uni- versity,’’ said Sywelem, a visiting research scholar from Egypt assigned to the College of Education’s Department of Educational Foundations, Leader- ship and Technology. “Auburn really has a good environment to succeed.’’ Sywelem’s favorable accounts resonated with administrators and faculty at Suez Canal Uni- versity, where he will teach after completing his doctorate. Faculty from the Ismalia, Egypt-based university visited Auburn in February 2010 to explore partnerships the College of Education and other campus units. Dr. James Witte hopes that their visit will lead to research partnerships and student internships. “There’s a wonderful opportunity for student exchange, for faculty exchange and for cross fertilizing in a different culture,’’ said Witte, associate professor and Adult and Higher Education program coordinator in EFLT. The college has succeeded in building partnerships stretching from Central America to Asia. In July 2009, the college welcomed professors and graduate students from Korea University to campus as an entrée to creating student and faculty exchange opportunities and opening up various practicum, internship, research and service learning opportunities. “These partnerships are so important to us,’’ said Dean Frances Kochan. “In this world with so many struggles, it’s a joy when we can come together and be one.’’ Drs. Suyhun Suh and John Dagley, associate professors in the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/ School Psychology, ignited the college’s interest in building a rela- tionship with Korea University. The two faculty members explored outreach initiatives that would mesh with the demographic changes undergone in West Georgia and East Alabama as the result of Kia and Hyundai entering the economic scene. Billboards written in Korean, touting everything from realtors to church services, are now a common sight along the I-85 corridor in East Alabama. “We need to help the students and the community members, especially the professionals who are in education, have better knowledge about the Korean people,’’ Suh said. “They can go beyond what they already know and they can be outside of their own boxes. They can interact with people who are differ- ent than them.’’ Those interactions often reveal that educators from America to Asia are attempting to reach the same goals. For instance, the visitors from Suez Canal University expressed a keen interest in the College of Education’s distance education initia- tives and its capacity to prepare teachers for pre-K and special education classrooms. “As we live in this world, it becomes smaller every day,’’ Auburn Provost Mary Ellen Mazey said. “What can be more important than building these partnerships? We all have much to learn from each other.’’ College builds partnerships with Egyptian, Korean universities INTERNATIONAL Provost Mary Ellen Mazey (first row, second from left) visits with a contingent from Suez Canal University in February 2010. Korea University faculty and students visit with Auburn administrators and faculty in July 2009.
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 15 International Having studied a foreign language for five years, Holleigh Patterson figured she would be well suited to serve as a volunteer instruc- tor at the Auburn Universi- ty Summer English School, a College of Education outreach initiative aimed at improving the proficiency of adult non-native speakers and students in grades K-12.   There was one potential ob- stacle that briefly surprised Patterson on the first day of class at Richland Elemen- tary School. Patterson, a junior English education major from Vestavia Hills, Ala., possesses a strong grasp of Spanish. Upon walking into her classroom for the first time, however, Patterson couldn’t help but notice all of her students hap- pened to be Korean. “I had no idea,’’ Patterson said during a break at the camp, held in June 2009 in partnership with Auburn and Opelika City Schools. Of course, Patterson rec- ognized certain fundamentals apply to teaching students any new language. “I know how hard it is to want to say something and to not be able to spit it out,’’ Patterson said, drawing on her own experience in learning a foreign language. “It helped me to have more of an understanding and to be more sympathetic toward them while they’re learning English.’’ Having completed its second year, the Auburn University Summer English School represents a valuable educa- tional resource for international students making the transition to a new culture. The region’s economic growth has been spurred, in part, by the opening of a Kia automobile plant in West Point, Ga. Dr. Jung Won Hur, camp director and assistant professor of educational media in the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technol- ogy and camp director, said the vast majority of the students who attended the 2009 camp had already studied Eng- lish. Hur and Dr. Suhyun Suh, associate professor in the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counsel- ing/School Psychology, are focused on improving students’ reading and writing proficiencies. Of the 100 students en- rolled last summer, 98 were Korean and two were Chinese. “The general classroom environ- ments might be overwhelming to some newcomers,’’ Hur said, “and they might be afraid of speaking in front of many native speakers. But, this environment is much more comfortable in that most people can understand the difficulties but they all share the same goal — im- proving English proficiency.’’   In order to make English less in- timidating to the students, Hur and the summer school volunteers integrated songs and games into the curriculum. Hur expressed hope that the summer English school would succeed in build- ing relationships with more students in the future. Summer English School ensures students don’t get ‘lost in translation’ Education students gain experience working with non-native English speakers. From Central America to East Africa, faculty members have collected their fair share of passport stamps while adding to the college’s portfolio of international scholarship and outreach. Here are a few examples: In July 2009, Dr. Sue Barry, coordinator of the Foreign Language Education program, accompanied four Span- ish teachers to Heredia, Costa Rica, to gain insight into school and family life. Dr. John Saye, alumni professor of sec- ondary social sciences, visited Heredia during the second week of the group’s stay in order to explore the possibilities of a new course in comparative culture study. Dr. Lisa Kasmer, assistant professor of elementary math educa- tion traveled to Arusha, Tanzania, in 2009 to explore the development of a Study Abroad and outreach/service learn- ing program. In April 2009, Dr. Brian Parr visited St. Isztvan University in Hungary to develop an agricultural education partnership that would open the door for faculty and student exchanges. In May, music education faculty members Drs. Kim Walls and Bill Walls visited the Hungar- ian cities of Godollo, Budapest, Szarvas and Kecskemet to explore potential exchange opportunities. Faculty serious about college’s international commitment
Keystone Volume VII, 201016 Dear Auburn Alumni and Supporters, A s the College of Education continues the search for its new dean, I want to take a mo- ment to recognize the contributions of Fran Kochan, who came to Auburn in 1994 as an associate professor and has been at the college’s helm for almost a decade. During her time here, she has held the titles of associate professor, distinguished professor, Truman Pierce Institute director, associate dean for administra- tion and interim dean. As director of the Truman Pierce Institute, she established and coordi- nated university, community and private partnerships for teacher training and curriculum improvement in local schools — most notably in Alabama’s Black Belt region. Dr. Kochan’s professional background includes experience as a classroom teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent prior to her faculty experiences at Auburn and Florida State University. Internationally known for her expertise in mentoring, Kochan has written articles about teachers as researchers and has published book chapters on family and school relationships and middle school organizational change. Her major research focus has been on barriers to organizational change and school and university collaboration. Under Dean Kochan’s leadership: • The college improved its standing to No. 71 in U.S.News & World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools’’ survey of 2010. • The college’s Professional Development System collaboration with Auburn City Schools was recognized by the Holmes Partnership as the nation’s best partnership of its kind for 2010. • Education faculty demonstrated its commitment to research by raising its grant submissions and funding requests. Research expenditures in 2008-09 totaled more than $8.1 million, nearly doubling the total from the preceding academic year. • New research and exchange partnerships with Korea University and Egypt’s Suez Canal University were established. I’m sure I speak for all the Auburn family in thanking Dean Kochan for her contributions to the university and wishing her every continued success in and out of the classroom. War Eagle! Jay Gogue President A Messagefrom the President Auburn University hired Ainsley Carry as vice presi- dent for student affairs in April 2009. Carry previously served as associate vice presi- dent for student affairs and dean of students at Temple University. While there, he supervised 10 depart- ments within the division of student affairs. In his current role at Auburn, Carry is respon- sible for the formulation, development, manage- ment and delivery of services and programs to enhance the academic, physical and social welfare of students. He oversees the Office of the Dean of Stu- dents, student government, student media, Ca- reer Development Services, Campus Recreation, student organizations, Greek Life, International Student Life, Judicial Affairs, Student Residence Life, Student Orientation and Retention, the parents’ association, student community services, the Student Recreation Center, the University Student Center, the university medical clinic and the Student Leadership Institute. Auburn University will institute a Common Book program this fall to promote a shared aca- demic experience among incoming freshman and other students. The program will begin with the reading of “Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace … One School at a Time’’ by Greg Morten- son and David Oliver Relin. A new book will be chosen each year, and there are plans to bring some of those authors to campus or others who are connected to the selected works. Many freshman-level classes will integrate the book into coursework. For more information about the “Auburn Connects!’’ Common Book program, visit www.auburn.edu/auburnconnects. Auburn welcomes Carry as VP for student affairs Book program brimming with possibilities
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 17 Student Success Demetriss Locke, a doctoral candidate in higher education administration, said it’s important for College of Education students to seek mentorship from faculty for a variety of reasons. “That may be the person who will write them a letter of recommendation for gradu- ate school or to provide a recommendation for a job,’’ Locke said. Locke and LaTosha Ramsey, also a doctoral candidate in higher education and administration, are do- ing their part to help link undergraduate students to established leaders through the MARS (Minority Achievement, Retention & Success) Program. The MARS Program supports underrepresented minority students in the College of Education by pairing them with fac- ulty members and graduate students in mentoring relationships. The mentor volunteers provide guidance for students who are adjusting to a university setting or choosing a career path. MARS Program provides valuable mentorship Auburn President Jay Gogue has set the strategic goal of elevating the university’s undergraduate educational programs and enriching students’ undergraduate experiences. In order to help the university meet these goals and raise its position in academic rankings, the College of Education has added to its efforts to recruit and retain top- notch students. The college has instituted a strategic plan for retention and enlisted the help of Marcus Johnson, a graduate student in school psychology, to serve as an academic coach. Johnson will work alongside Becca Grace, the college’s coordinator of student services, to provide general advising, academic sup- port resources and to develop success strate- gies to targeted groups within the college. As part of its continual efforts to recruit the best and brightest, the college has reached out to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to cultivate potential graduate students while also cultivating high school students who envision a future in education. Strategic plan focuses on recruitment, retention From dipping a toe in the cold Indian Ocean to exploring the Irish countryside to assisting Olympic athletes, Auburn Lyle, Matthew Goula and Kimberly Wasserburger have enjoyed some amazing experiences during their spring 2010 internships. Best of all, they’ve been willing to share them through the online journals they’ve been keeping. You can read more about their adventures at education.auburn.edu/blogs. Lyle, a collaborative special education major, turned her first overseas trip into a profes- sional development opportunity by teaching special education students in Grahamstown, South Africa. Goula, a social science education graduate student, followed up an internship at Ope- lika High School by teaching geography, his- tory and social science to seventh-graders in Kenmare, Ireland. Wasserburger, a College of Education Stu- dent Ambassador and rehabilitation services major, earned an internship opportunity with the U.S. Olympic Committee in Colo- rado Springs. Wasserburger, who plans to complete a master’s degree in occupational therapy at UAB, split time between the USOC’s Sports Medical Clinic and its recovery center and spa. Student bloggers share internship experiences
Keystone Volume VII, 201018 Courtney Glass, a senior English lan- guage arts education major, earned a $500 Alabama Alpha Delta Kappa Scholarship during the 2009 academic year. The scholarship is available to juniors and seniors-to-be. Founded in 1947, Alpha Delta Kappa  is a worldwide international honorary organization of women dedi- cated to educational excellence, altruism and world understand- ing. There are more than 1,500 chapters worldwide. Glass receives Alpha Delta Kappa Scholarship Student Success Holly Brigman, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Special Education, Re- habilitation, Counseling/School Psychology, received one of the four Graduate Dean’s Fellowships for the College of Education. The other designees will be named later. Brigman, who is working toward a doctorate in rehabilitation and special education, began serving her term in fall 2009. Brigman, an Asheville, N.C. native, hopes her degree will lead to a career in policy development or as a university profes- sor or administrator. Her research interests include employment outcomes for consumers served by the state vocational rehabili- tation system and post-secondary outcomes for persons who have disabilities. Brigman earned a master’s degree in rehabilitation counsel- ing from Auburn in 2009 and a bachelor’s degree in education of deaf children from the University of North Carolina at Greens- boro. Before enrolled in graduate courses at Auburn, she worked as assistant director for UNC-Greensboro’s Office for Students with Disabilities and as a rehabilitation counselor in North Carolina’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Brigman selected for Graduate Dean’s Fellowship Phi Kappa Phi honor society welcomed 59 College of Education students to its ranks in 2009. Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest, largest and most selective multi-disciplinary honor society. Memberships are extended by invitation-only to the top 10 percent of seniors and gradu- ate students and the top 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction may also qualify. The Auburn University chapter was established in 1914 and initiates more than 400 students annually. Phi Kappa Phi promotes the pursuit of excellence in all fields of higher education, recognizes outstanding achievement by students, faculty and others through various awards and engages the community of scholars in service to others. Phi Kappa Phi recognizes 59 students for excellence Lindsay Bailey Pamela Bailey Kalli Black Bonnie Burns Bridgette Burton Jessica Carter Jennifer Canfield Courtney Chaulker Lisa Collins Virginia Collins Jamie Crowe Lauren Culp Anna Curl Courtney Davis Katherine Dean Sarah Dowling Alicia Ellis Cameron Flowers Sherry Francis Richard Freda Ashlyn Freeman Erika Gam Nicole Giordano Amanda Gluckman Kayla Gordon Elizabeth Gore Laura Groves Amanda Guthrie Tracy Hall Katherine Harris Maribeth Hasse Brittney Herring Amy Holley Tanika Jones Lauren Long Elizabeth McFarling Kylie Miller Laura Mott Laura Nevins Courtney Nims Justin Norton Michelle Parker Hannah Paxton Jeannie Pearman Megan Peoples Marilyn Player Mary Quinn Cabray Rauschenberg Susan Reynolds Clay Ritenbaugh Kathleen Sacco Amanda Shankles Brittney Spillman Katie Stringfellow Morgan Taylor Thomas Traylor Milton Williams Colleen Wise Amber Wright Courtney Nicole Davis, a senior early childhood education major, earned the Alabama PTA’s $500 Elizabeth Baldwin Hill Scholarship for 2008-09. The Alabama PTA  honored Davis and other award recipi- ents during the 91st Annual Alabama PTA Convention, held in April 2009. Davis’ honor was publicized in Alabama PTA Bulletin, the organization’s quarterly newsletter. Davis earns Elizabeth Baldwin Hill Scholarship
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 19 Seven College of Education students contributed to the success experienced by Auburn University’s Collegiate FFA chapter at the 82nd National FFA Convention. In all, 14 Auburn University Collegiate FFA members attended the convention in Indianapolis and competed in national competi- tions. The College of Education students who participated in the event were agriscience education graduate student John Wilson, senior Ben Johnson, senior Jay Gibson, senior Richard Dorman, junior Bruce Davis, junior Andrew Talley and sophomore Bradley Cox. Johnson, Gibson, Dorman, Davis, Talley and Cox are all agri- science education majors. Johnson helped Auburn’s chapter capture first place in the par- liamentary procedure competition. Wilson, Cox and Talley helped lead the debate team to a second place finish. Davis and Gibson contributed to the Quiz Bowl team’s fourth place finish. Auburn’s FFA chapter received the A.W. Nolan Leadership Award at the “gold’’ level, acknowledging its ascent to the level of national leaders in the last two years. Dr. Brian Parr, assistant professor of agriscience education in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, also attended the convention and used the occasion as an opportunity for student recruitment. Parr and the Collegiate FFA members set up an agri- science education booth in an effort to advertise Auburn’s program to prospective undergraduate students and to recruit agriculture teachers for the graduate level distance learning program. The National FFA Convention, held in October 2009, drew more than 55,000 attendees. Founded as the Future Farmers of America, the organization changed its name in 1988 to better reflect the scientific, business and technological aspects of agriculture. The organization strives to increase awareness of the global and technological importance of agriculture and its contributions to society. It also encourages excellence in scholarship and acquaints students with the many career possibilities that exist within agriculture-related fields. Agriscience education majors contribute to Auburn FFA chapter’s success John Murray, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology, was one of 40 students invited to the 2010 David L. Clark National Graduate Student Research Semi- nar in Educational Leadership and Policy. The University Council for Educational Ad- ministration received a record number of student nominations from universities in the U.S. and abroad. The seminar, which was held April 29-30 in conjunction with the American Educational Research Association Annual Conference, brings together emerging educational leadership and policy scholars and researchers for presentations, discussion and professional growth. Murray among select few chosen for national research seminar Molly Plueger and Brook Jackson, both graduate students in the Department of Kinesiology, earned a $1,250 grant from the Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association in 2009 to fund research focusing on aspects of ankle rehabilitation. Their six-week study examined ankle insta- bility with and without the application of an ankle brace. Plueger and Jackson gained insight into why ankle braces are not incor- porated into ankle rehabilitation protocols. The SEATA grant was used for equipment, supplies and participant reimbursement. “With the support from the Department of Kinesiology and the funding from the SEATA research grant, our project will be completed successfully and add to the current athletic training body of knowledge,” said Plueger, a member of Auburn’s gradu- ate athletic training program. Kinesiology grad students share in research grant Student Success
Keystone Volume VII, 201020 Student Success Matthew Wayne McLaughlin received a President’s Award as one of Auburn University’s outstanding graduating students. McLaughlin, a native of Brentwood, Tenn., graduated in spring 2009 with a degree in exercise science and is attending medical school. Auburn officials presented the President’s Awards and the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards ceremony in April 2009. Each school and college designates an outstanding graduating student to receive a President’s Award. The awards are given in recognition of the students’ high qualities that “ennoble and beautify living and bind man to man in mutual love and helpfulness.’’ Qualifications include charac- teristics of the heart, mind and conduct. McLaughlin earns President’s Award Carrie McCambridge excelled as a diver at Purdue University, but she’s distinguished herself in the pool of academia since enter- ing the Auburn University Department of Kinesiology’s graduate program. McCambridge, who recently completed a master’s degree in exercise science with a concentration in exercise physiology, was named as one of three recipients for the John Stucky Award presented by the Colle- giate Strength & Conditioning Coaches association  (CSCCa). McCambridge, a native of Lewis Center, Ohio, assists Auburn Olympic sports strength and conditioning coach Bryan Kar- koska ’94 in his work with the swimming and diving team. The other recipients of the 2009 John Stucky Award  were Megan Young, an Auburn Athletic Department employee, and John Patten III of Duke University. The three winners emerged from a field of 80 candidates reviewed by a panel of master strength and conditioning coaches. The award is presented in honor of the late John Stucky, an original board member of the CSCCa who contributed to the field of strength and conditioning as a mentor to an incalculable number of coaches. McCambridge earned the award by virtue of her outstanding performance on the practical portion of the CSCCa certification exam. The panel of master strength and conditioning coaches asks John Stucky Award candidates questions regarding condi- tioning, warm-up, proper strength and conditioning training techniques and other facets of program design essential to the implementation of safe and effective strength and conditioning programs and practices. Kinesiology grad student makes big splash Abby Hamann, a sophomore elementary education major from Peachtree City, Ga., will make a cameo in a new Miley Cyrus motion picture. The movie — “The Last Song” — is sched- uled to hit theaters in April 2010. Look for Hamann near the end (she’ll be giving Cyrus a disapproving look). While Hamann sees the classroom as her future career destination, she’s open to the idea of appear- ing in another movie. How did the opportunity to be in the movie come about? Hamann: A friend of mine told me [last summer] about a new movie being filmed in Tybee Island, Ga., and that they were looking for people to come and be extras in the movie. She told me all I had to do was send some information about myself and a picture to one of the casting directors and they would contact us if they wanted to use us. So after doing this, I received a call a few weeks later from a casting director asking if I could be in Tybee Island the next day. They liked my picture for a role, but didn’t exactly tell me what I would be doing until I arrived there. What sort of scene are you in? Hamann: I was actually lucky enough to be in a scene with Mi- ley Cyrus, who plays the leading role in the movie. In the scene, myself and another girl are standing on the beach near the water talking. Miley is walking toward us wearing a strange outfit so the girl and I laugh at her and give her mean looks as she walks by us. Have you ever done any acting before? And, based on this, would you consider future opportunities? Hamann: This is the first time I have ever really done any acting. I had such a good time doing it, though, that I would love to do something like this again. It was a childhood dream of mine to be an actress, so to get to do something like this was so exciting and I learned a lot about how movies are made. What are your career plans after graduation? Hamann: I am an elementary education major, so after gradua- tion I plan on being a teacher. However, if I ever got the oppor- tunity to do more acting, I would love to. Elementary Ed major makes appearance in Miley movie ©2010 Touchstone Pictures. All rights reserved.
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 21 Student Leaders Learn more about the Student Council by visiting education.auburn.edu/studentcouncil Learn more about the Graduate Student Ambassadors by visiting grad.auburn.edu Amanda Gluckman President Senior Elementary Education Allison Pendleton Secretary Sophomore Pre-Early Childhood Education Lauren Leach Vice President Senior Elementary Education Dori Dobbs Activities Chair Sophomore English Language Arts Education Abby Sibley Service Project Chair Junior Early Childhood Education Barbara Jane Hall Publicity Chair Junior Elementary Education Blakely Barnett Assistant Service Project Chair Junior Elementary Education Emily Duke Camp War Eagle Liaison Junior Elementary Education Christen Holmes War on Hunger Representative Senior English Language Arts Education Maysaa Barakat Administration of Supervision and Curriculum Evelyn Cage Counseling Psychology Holly Brigman Rehabilitation and Special Education Brittney Herring Elementary Education Christy Lock Administration of Higher Education John Murray Administration of Supervision and Curriculum Elisha Martin Administration of Elementary and Secondary Education Danielle Smith Administration of Higher Education Eight College of Education students have been named Graduate Student Ambassadors for 2009-2010. The group actively recruits new students for Auburn University’s Graduate School. In order to become a Graduate Student Ambassador, a candidate must possess a 3.5 grade point average or better and excellent com- munication skills. Ambassadors participate in at least one recruiting event per year and serve as a point of contact for prospective graduate students. The College of Education Student Council promotes camaraderie between students in the College of Education and develops outreach and service projects. The group works closely with Dr. Peggy Dagley, director of Professional Education Services. The Student Council has recently funded several projects on behalf of the Auburn VOICES program (see article, page 42), which mobilizes College of Education student organizations for advocacy and outreach. The council has supported Auburn VOICES’ efforts to donate educational resources for school children in Notasulga (Ala.) Schools. College well represented among Graduate Student Ambassadors 2009-2010 Student Council Student Organizations The College of Education features more than 15 student organizations devoted to the development of professional expertise and leadership skills and the pursuit of academic excellence. In addition to bringing students with similar academic and career interests together, these groups often participate in service learning activities. To learn more about these groups, visit the “Students’’ section of education.auburn.edu.
Keystone Volume VII, 201022 While folks may have a hard time pointing out Oneonta, Ala., on a map, pointing out Rachel Anderson might be much easier to do. She’s one of the students walking backwards around campus with an expectant group of prospective freshmen and their parents following her. Anderson, a 2007 graduate of Oneonta High School and a current junior in elementary education, has served as president of the college’s Student Ambassadors since spring 2009. While appointments to the post of president are typically for an aca- demic year, she helped fill the term of the previous president who began her full-time internship during that semester. “One of my favorite things about ambassadors is getting to meet all of the amazing and influential people that affect our college,’’ Anderson said. “Being an ambassador has given me the opportunity to meet and get to know past educators, which allows me to grow from their experiences and learn information to help me in my future career as an educator.’’ Her work with Student Ambassadors is just one of the du- ties on campus that keeps her occupied when she’s not in class or completing her pre-teaching responsibilities at Dean Road Elementary School. Anderson has, for the past two years, also provided campus tours as one of 60 Auburn University student recruiters in the Office of Undergraduate Recruitment. Rain or shine, Rachel has been among the first Auburn faces many pro- spective students see. She has also served as assistant director for a freshman SGA program that emphasizes community service and has been a part of two honor societies. “I have loved having the opportunity to share my love of Auburn with others,’’ she said. “I hope that my love of Auburn shines through in my tours and attracts other students to come to the Plains.’’ Anderson comes from an Auburn family, which includes her mother, Beverly Bains Anderson ’80, who earned a bachelor’s in early childhood education, and her father, Keith Anderson ’79, who earned a bachelor’s in finance. Her older sister, Laura Beth Anderson ’06, graduated in elementary education and now teaches in Atlanta. Anderson expects to graduate in May 2011. “I am hoping to find a teaching position in the Southeast where I can use all of my knowledge that I have gained from Auburn to mold young children’s lives,’’ Anderson said. Student Leaders Bridgette Michelle Burton ’09 and Laura Elizabeth Groves ’09 earned their places at the head of the class during the 2009 academic year. Both students served as graduation marshals for the College of Education. Each semester, college administra- tors select a student to carry the College of Education banner ahead of their graduating peers at the start of commencement ceremonies. Burton, from Lineville, Ala., served as the college’s marshal during the summer 2009 commencement. She earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary social science edu- cation with a major in history. Groves, an elementary educa- tion major from Birmingham, served as marshal in fall 2009. Burton, Groves lead the way at graduation Seventeen College of Education students were among the Auburn undergraduate and graduate students recommended by the Dean of Students office for inclusion in the 2009-2010 Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. Rec- ommendations are made by institutions based on such factors as grade point average, leadership and participation on campus and in the community. Rachel Anderson junior elementary education Kathleen Boehme junior early childhood education Rebecca Bowers junior early childhood education Sarah Cotton senior early childhood education Tylon Crook doctoral candidate counselor education Megan Dixon master’s student higher education administration Madison Farish senior early childhood education Pamela Goodson senior secondary mathematics education Laurel Kostakis junior rehabilitation services Elizabeth McFarling senior secondary mathematics education Alexa Miranda senior exercise science John Murphy senior exercise science Lindsay Phillips senior elementary education Mallory Sigle Senior Exercise science Alli Smalley junior early childhood education Grace Sooter senior exercise science Brennan Wade senior secondary mathematics education Education students selected for Who’s Who Anderson excels in leadership roles
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 23 Rachel Anderson Junior Elementary Education Oneonta, Ala. Sam Logan Doctoral student Exercise Science North East, Md. Kara Delvizis Senior, Social Science Education Franklin, Tenn. Emily Duke Junior Elementary Education Madison, Ala. Elizabeth Pressler Senior Science Education Hoover, Ala. Kimberly Wasserburger Senior Rehabilitation Services Hartselle, Ala. Emily Crane Sophomore Elementary Education Franklin, Tenn. Meredith McCoy Senior Mathematics Education Lanett, Ala. Katie Freeman Senior Elementary Education Huntsville, Ala. Elise Schupp Senior Elementary Education Franklin, Tenn. Bonnie Dean Senior, Social Science Education Franklin, Tenn. Katie Oliver Senior, Early Childhood Education Lanett, Ala. Sarah Houghton Sophomore Elementary Education Alpharetta, Ga. Andrea Sumner Doctoral student Exercise Science Springfield, Va. Victoria Barron Sophomore Elementary Education Birmingham, Ala. Brittny Mathies Doctoral candidate Educational Psychology New Orleans, La. Adam Elder Senior Mathematics Education Madison, Ala. Julie Rush Senior, Early Childhood Education Lineville, Ala. Claire Wilkinson Senior, Early Childhood Special Education Selma, Ala. Abigail Cutchen Sophomore Elementary Education Birmingham, Ala Lucille Mosley Sophomore, English Language Arts Education Daphne, Ala. Lora Haghighi Master’s student Elementary Education Pelham, Ala. Jessica Stuckey Junior Elementary Education Huntsville, Ala. Anna Curl Junior Exercise Science Decatur, Ala. Erin Meriwether Senior Social Science Education Cullman, Ala. Taylor Gunter Junior Exercise Science Montgomery, Ala. Grace Sooter Senior Exercise Science Homewood, Ala. Bailey Debardeleben Junior Elementary Education Prattville, Ala. Shannon Perman Senior, Social Science Education Kenosha, Wis. Allyson Houlton Junior Elementary Education Grady, Ala. Jill Sutton Junior, English Language Arts Education Trussville, Ala. Student Ambassadors Learn more about the college’s Student Ambassadors at education.auburn.edu/ambassadors
Keystone Volume VII, 201024 In speaking on behalf of the recipients during the Eighth Annual College of Education Scholarship Awards Ceremony, Lorie Johnson explained how the generosity of donors becomes exponential and everlasting. The endowment of a scholarship or the establishment of an annual award becomes multiplicative in nature because the donor isn’t simply assisting in the formation of a future educator through his or her gift. “You give vicariously to all of those students they will teach,’’ said Johnson, a doctoral candidate in reading education and recipient of the Albert Hamilton Collins Annual Graduate Fellowship. Thanks to the giving spirit of its alumni and friends, the College of Education awarded more than 150 scholarships for the second consecutive year. With the help of new donors and its portfolio of existing endow- ments, the College of Education continued to create new opportuni- ties for its students in the way of 168 undergraduate scholarships, graduate assistantships, fellowships and awards. This year, the col- lege awarded more than $329,000 — $25,000 more than it granted in 2008. The total includes 141 undergraduate scholarships and 27 graduate awards, building on last year’s previously unprecedented total of 130 scholarships and 20 graduate awards worth $277,000. The college hosted 525 students, parents and donors at its annual scholarship ceremony and reception held in August 2009. Johnson, who earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a master’s in reading education from Auburn, said the scholarships play a critical role in training educators to meet the challenges presented by an evolving world and the needs of children who are increasingly technology savvy and dependent. “Teachers are trying to reach and teach students to prepare for a future that we know won’t look like the present,’’ Johnson said. “Teachers have a tremendous charge to keep. They have to reach children who have been wired from birth and have more friends on Facebook than they have in real life.’’ Dr. Ron Saunders ’70, superintendent of Barrow County (Ga.) Schools and a member of the College of Education’s National Advisory Council, knows that aspiring educators must be ready to engage audiences that can be prone to technological distractions. Saunders, who spoke on behalf of scholarship donors at ceremony, said his family has remained steadfast in its support of the college because its graduates will shape the learning of future generations. “Helping young people join the teaching profession is a Cloud 9 experience,’’ said Saunders, who presented the Robert L. Saunders Endowed Scholarship in memory of his father, who like him is a College of Education graduate and a one-time member of the col- lege’s advisory council. The college’s ability to grow scholarship opportunities, as well as future teachers, hasn’t gone unnoticed by the parents of cur- rent students. Greg Duke, whose daughter, Emily, was a recipient of The Patrons of the Keystone-Dean’s Circle Annual Scholarship, expressed appreciation tinged with humor in speaking on behalf of parents during the ceremony. “The scholarship provides us with much-needed funds,’’ Duke said. “We’re a bit of an anachronism. We’re a single-income family. I make the money, and they spend it.’’ In a time of economic uncertainty, when stock prices have plummeted and investors have found themselves at the mercy of an unpredictable market, there remains one economic safe haven. “When you invest in teachers and students, it’s always a safe bet,’’ Johnson said. College of Education awards 168 scholarships for 2009-2010  Scholarship Ceremony New forms of support The College of Education offered six new scholarships and assistantships in 2009: Alabama Association of Conservation Districts Auxiliary Endowed Scholarship Arthur and Ruth Coss Graduate Award Kenny Howard Annual Graduate Assistantship Evelyn Moore Endowed Scholarship Dr. Brett Stark, DPM, PC, Annual Graduate Assistantship in Kinesiology Lila L. White Annual Graduate Assistantship The college awarded $25,000 more in scholarships than it did in 2008.
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 25 Kathy Robinson Counselor Education Lindsay Robinson Collaborative Teacher Special Education Awards and Recognition Ceremony To view a photo gallery of the 29th Annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony, visit education.auburn.edu/gallery Theresa McCormick Emily and Gerald Leischuck Outstanding Undergraduate Faculty Teaching Award Curriculum and Teaching Kathryn Burnett Outstanding Staff Award Administrative/ Professional Professional Education Services Jared Russell Faculty Award for Outstanding Commitment to Diversity Kinesiology John Quindry Outstanding Faculty Award for Research Kinesiology Elaine Prust Staff Award for Outstanding Commitment to Diversity Curriculum and Teaching JoEllen Sefton Emily and Gerald Leischuck Outstanding Graduate Faculty Teaching Award Kinesiology Thomas Flowers Outstanding Staff Award Office Administration Learning Resources Center DaShaunda Patterson Outstanding Faculty Early Career Award Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology John Saye Outstanding Faculty Award for Outreach Curriculum and Teaching Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology Department of Curriculum and Teaching Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology Department of Kinesiology Outstanding Undergraduate Student Karen McIntosh Music Education Ceren Yarar Neuromechanics Lamont Maddox Social Science Education John Holley II Exercise Science Ruthanna Payne Administration of Higher Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Outstanding Undergraduate Student Outstanding Graduate Student Outstanding Graduate Student Outstanding Graduate Student Outstanding Graduate Student Now in its 29th year, the Spring Awards Ceremony allows the College of Education to recognize the students, faculty members and staff deemed “out- standing’’ during the 2009-10 academic year. The ceremony was held March 30. Each of the college’s four departments selects a graduate student and undergraduate student for outstanding student awards. The recipients are selected by department heads with input from faculty members. College-wide faculty and staff award nominations are submitted by individuals in the college and are considered by an awards committee. The awards committee also reviews nominations for two additional awards that salute outstanding work in undergraduate and graduate teaching. Student Award Recipients Faculty and Staff Award Recipients Spring awards ceremony spotlights high achievers
Keystone Volume VII, 201026 It’s 0-dark-30 on Sand Hill, an appropriately named training ground where granules get into the socks of visitors and no-nonsense officers get into the faces of soldiers laboring through the last of their pre-dawn push-ups. Members of the U.S. Army’s 192nd Infantry Brigade are up and running before sunrise on this particular morning, as they are every morning, because it’s an inescapable rite of passage during their metamorphosis from civilian to soldier. Their pre-breakfast activities consist of calisthenics — everything from pull-ups to sit-ups — and a muscle-searing exercise in which two-man teams work to flip large truck tires, end over end, from one corner of the training field to the other. A few yards away, Michael Methvin, a first-year student in Auburn University’s post-certi- fication graduate athletic training program, scans the group for signs of something other than physical exertion. He’s looking for a limp that might allow him to detect a soldier’s ankle sprain, a wince that could betray a pulled muscle. His eyes are wide open for these and other tell-tale clues despite the fact that he’s been up since 2:30 a.m. “I feel accomplished because I’m getting up earlier than the soldiers do,’’ said Methvin, one of seven Auburn students who have been diagnosing, treating and preventing injuries since October as part of the Warrior Athletic Trainer Program, a first-year partnership between the College of Education’s Department of Kinesiology and the 192nd based at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga. Over the course of a year, Auburn’s graduate athletic trainers will help care for an estimated 14,000 soldiers who cycle through Fort Benning for nine weeks of basic combat training or 14 weeks of infantry training. While the injuries will be similar to those experienced by athletes, the work environment is far different than that offered by a football sideline or gymnasium. Graduate athletic trainers keeping Army infantry on the move Research and Outreach Left: Michael Methvin, a first-year student, examines a soldier’s injury during early morning physical training.
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 27 Lexi Douglas counsels a soldier on rehabilitating an injury. Research and Outreach The stakes are much higher. “I’ve worked with college and high school athletes,’’ said Lexi Douglas, a first-year graduate student. “Not to diminish them in any way, but you get them [healthy] to play a game. You get these guys ready to go fight a war. That has hit home for me. It’s humbling in a way.’’ Many of the troops they treat will eventually land in the hot zones of Afghanistan and Iraq. Their early mornings on Sand Hill harden their bodies and galvanize their resolve, but even the hardiest former athlete can have his training derailed by an awkward landing off an obstacle course wall. Even the most innocuous injury can cost a soldier and the Army dearly in terms of lost time and money. Saving time and money One soldier’s visit to a troop medical clinic costs $250. A medical clinic visit could also steal away valuable hours that could be spent training since it’s not uncommon for a soldier to wait several hours for treatment at a facility whose practitio- ners are often overloaded with patients. It’s no wonder that Lt. Col. Dean Weiler, com- mander of the 192nd’s 2nd Battalion 54th Regi- ment, and Maj. Todd Burkhardt, the battalion’s executive officer, reached out to Auburn’s gradu- ate athletic training program in early 2009. As the Army emphasizes the training of its personnel as soldier-athletes, the concept of on-site diagnosis and treatment of injuries by athletic trainers has gained traction. After seeing how Fort Jackson utilized athletic trainers from nearby University of South Caroli- na, Burkhardt wanted to find similar resources for Fort Benning. He and Dr. JoEllen Sefton, director of Auburn’s Neuromechanics Research Laborato- ry and coordinator of its Graduate Athletic Train- ing program, quickly established the framework for a partnership. The Army invested more than
Keystone Volume VII, 201028 $219,000 to fund the inaugural year. “It wasn’t too hard to determine that Auburn would be a valuable asset to us,’’ Burkhardt said. “For this type of program to be successful, it had to be somehow coupled with a major univer- sity that had the resources in terms of manpower but also the expertise and research capability, which you’re not go- ing to find with adhoc athletic trainers from a hospital or private practice.’’ Weiler said the presence of Auburn University graduate students has proven invaluable since many recruits receive a shock to the system dur- ing the early stages of basic training. The people that Weiler described as the “seeds for the whole Army’’ are expected to grow up in a hurry. “The biggest issue we have is taking someone who has done nothing in terms of physical activity and making them do all of the stuff that we do every day,’’ he said. “PT, to these guys, is the hard- est stuff they’ve ever done. Their bodies are not accustomed to that. It takes six to eight weeks for real physical adaptation to take place.’’ Treatment and prevention With the sudden increase in physical activity comes stress fractures, sprains and contusions. The Auburn students quickly diagnose and treat soldiers who sustain injuries during PT, taping soldiers’ ankles, stretching their arms and legs and prescribing follow-up rehabilitation and treat- ments as needed. By seeing the warning signs in some soldiers, they’re able to prevent a minor discomfort from flaring up into a major injury. “With every activity, there are going to be inju- ries of a certain type,’’ Methvin said. “In basketball, you might see more shoulder injuries. Here, you see a little bit of everything. It’s a lot different than what we’re normally used to seeing. “We have more people that we have to [care for] compared to the average athletic trainer. We have a battalion, which can be up to 5,000 soldiers. You don’t have the luxury of being able to take your sweet time.’’ While the Auburn students have learned plenty working in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment, officers in the 192nd have received an education as well. Student trainers have helped them learn how to recognize which of their sol- diers are working through pain and how to under- stand how certain injuries can affect performance. “It’s heightened awareness in the cadre,’’ Weiler said. “They’re making these guys get help before they get hurt so we’ll keep them in training as opposed to having to send them home and restart them and keep them here for nine months as op- posed to 14 weeks. “People say it’s like $30,000 to train one of these guys. All we have to do is save a couple of them and the program is paying for itself.’’ Mutual benefits The payoff for the Army and for Auburn Univer- sity students is reciprocal. Weiler said Auburn’s Department of Kinesiology has “endless’’ potential to help because of its faculty and graduate student expertise in the areas of gait analysis, injury pre- vention, nutrition and physiology. The benefits for Auburn students are obvious. “It’s a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience in the military environment, which we see as an expanding professional environment for a certified athletic trainer,’’ Sefton said. “They see different situations, different injuries here than they would anywhere else. It’s a more stressful environment, a more serious environment.’’ And it’s an entirely different environment from what most of them had ever previously encoun- tered. The students who worked five days a week with the 192nd in the fall — Methvin, Douglas, Masa Mizutani, Eileen Strube, Stasia Burroughs, Laura Waples and Marie Lackamp — all adjusted to waking up in the wee hours, driving the 45 minutes from Auburn to Columbus, Ga., from the Central to the Eastern time zone in pitch dark- ness, putting in a full workday before most college students even think about getting out of bed and then driving back to Auburn for classes. continued Masa Mizutani (left) works with a member of the cadre. Maj. Todd Burkhardt (center) visits with Drs. Mary Rudisill and JoEllen Sefton.
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 29 “I used to be a bit of a night owl,’’ Douglas said. “At first, it was strange waking up and not seeing the sun. There’s nobody on the road. I want lunch at 9:30 or 10 [a.m.] and I need to go to bed at 6 [p.m.].’’ For all of the hours of sleep Douglas and her classmates have lost, they realize they’ve gained ex- perience that will serve them well in their careers and provided a valuable service in the process. “I ended up at Auburn because I heard about this program,’’ Douglas said. “The athletic training program had the education I wanted and [the Fort Benning partnership] was a chance to be a part of something new and exciting. Being able to be a part of the foundation, I think, is what I value most out of it. There’s no substitute for that kind of experience at all.’’ Lt. Col. Dean Weiler (right) discusses the benefits of having on-site trainers. Research and Outreach Brett Mixon isn’t kidding when he says, “there’s just not much I have in com- mon with the typical 18-year-old coming out of high school.’’ A little more than a year ago, Mixon was a U.S. Marine infantryman patrol- ling the streets in and around Fallujah, Iraq, and searching for improvised explosive devices. These days, he’s an Auburn University undergraduate and a member of a rapidly growing student population. University administrators across the nation expect to see more military veterans on their campuses, thanks to a revised and more generous GI Bill that went into effect in 2009 and an influx of men and women returning from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. “We have approximately 250 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans at Auburn right now, but we expect up to 300 in the fall [of 2010],’’ said Dr. David DiRamio, assistant professor of higher education administration and co-author of the book “Creating a Veteran-Friendly Campus: Strategies for Transi- tion and Success.” DiRamio, a Navy veteran, has followed through with the title of his book by helping Auburn create a Veterans Learning Community. In addition to assisting student-vet- erans, the learning community offers DiRamio a research opportunity for gaining insight into their learning habits and academic and social needs. Open to students who have fulfilled their service obligations or are active duty or National Guard, the learning community will help 20 to 25 students make the transition from the military to a university setting beginning in fall 2010. The group will take multiple courses together, including English composition, world history, music appreciation and principles of microeconomics. “No matter our age, how long we served, or even prior education before our military careers, we could all use a little kick-start to get back into the swing of things in college,’’ said Ben Manzano, a social science education major from Birmingham who served a four-year, 10-month tour with the 11th Marine Regi- ment in Iraq’s Al-Anbar Province. “The hardest part of the transition from mili- tary to college life is just becoming accustomed to being completely in control of your own life again.’’ Manzano and Mixon took a pilot course — “Success Strategies for Veterans’’ — taught by DiRamio in fall 2009. The course deepens student-veterans’ under- standing of the learning process and the role higher education plays in shaping their lives. “One of the most critical factors is peer support,’’ DiRamio said. “They’re the ones who are going to make it work.’’ Mixon said the Veterans Learning Community adds to Auburn’s proud legacy as a place where veterans feel welcomed and encouraged to excel. “It’s very promising to see that Auburn is carrying on her tradition of being veteran-friendly,’’ said Mixon, a business finance major from Clarkesville, Ga. DiRamio helping Auburn solidify veteran-friendly reputation
Keystone Volume VII, 201030 With his oversized red sweater and rumbling greet- ing of “Hey, hey, hey,’’ Fat Albert ambled into the living rooms of American children in the early 1970s as a jovial presence who loved chowing down on a good burger, playing sports and making music on instruments cobbled together from junk yard remnants. Created by Dr. Bill Cosby, “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids’’ represented an animated  representation of the comedian’s childhood experiences in Philadelphia. Fat Albert and his friends, from wise-cracking Rudy to pink ski mask-wearing Dumb Donald, transcended the stereotypical cartoon shtick of slapstick humor during its 109-episode run from 1972 to 1984. “There are some very strong moral tones in it,’’ said Dr. Octavia Tripp, assistant professor of elementary education in the Depart- ment of Curriculum and Teaching. “At the end of each episode, there was a lesson to be learned.’’ Tripp joined the discussion of how the cartoon and its lessons are relevant to both students and teachers during the “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids Character Education Partnership Sum- mit’’ held in Washington, D.C., in May 2009. Dr. Marilyn Irving, an associate professor in How- ard University’s School of Education, invited Tripp to give a presentation on the TV show’s handling of self-es- teem related topics. Tripp explored an episode in which a character named “Pee-Wee’’ is excluded from playing basketball because of his lack of height. Pee-Wee later becomes a star of a neighborhood football game because he proves he can kick a football better than any of the older children. “It talks about differences and feelings and, at the end, it talked about looking at your strengths,’’ Tripp said. “Pee-Wee’s strength was that he could kick a football. They began to accept him and it left a message that, no matter who you are, you have something that you can offer.’’ While at the summit, Tripp met Cosby, the actor, author and activist who earned his doctorate at the University of Massachusetts in 1976 and based his dissertation on the incorporation of “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids’’ into elementary school curriculum as a teaching aid. Recently, the cartoon has been used as a teaching tool in D.C.-area schools for grades K-5 and has spawned Character Leadership Clubs, collectives of students who look for solutions to such problems as bullying and intolerance. During its heyday, the cartoon explored a variety of themes, from “puppy love’’ and stage fright to the dangers of gun violence and crime. As Cosby lyrically told viewers of the show during its opening, “This is Bill Cosby coming at you with music and fun, and if you’re not careful you may learn something before it’s done.’’ Cosby spent one morning at the summit meeting with children and teachers and learning what they were doing to make their schools better places. “I saw him talking with children about what they were doing in their schools,’’ Tripp said. “He gave a very dynamic speech — not only about kids being strong, but he also talked to the teachers in the audience. These kids have come together to identify problems and help other kids see that it’s not good to tease.’’ Tripp said aspiring teachers can learn as much from “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids’’ as young children. She said the cartoon provides lessons on understanding children, their insecurities and fears as well as what inspires them to learn. Tripp is hopeful that the character development and social responsibility themes ex- plored by “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids’’ can eventually become a part of the K-5 curriculum in area classrooms. Dr. Octavia Tripp (middle) watches Bill Cosby engage his fans. Tripp explores lessons contained in Cosby’s cartoons Research and Outreach
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 31 Research and Outreach Music Education program strikes right chord with Tiger Strings orchestra As much as Kathy King enjoys playing the piano and teaching others how to play it, she regrets not having picked up a violin, cello or viola during her childhood. “I learned to play a string instrument five years ago and loved it so much that I wish someone had told me about it when I was little,’’ said King, a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Cur- riculum and Teaching. While King waited to pick up a stringed instrument, she’s doing her part to ensure musicians in the community develop their affinity and aptitudes for them at an early age. As director of Tiger Strings, a first-year initiative sponsored by the Music Education program in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, King works with 30 musicians in grades 2-12. The community orchestra includes 22 violinists, five cellists, two bassists and a violist. Tiger Strings performed a free public concert in December 2009 in Auburn’s Goodwin Music Building Choir Room. The orchestra played folk, baroque and Celtic pieces, as well as selections from “The Nutcracker.’’ Although the Tiger Strings program has only been in existence since September 2009, its members all have at least one year of ex- perience playing their respective instruments. In order to qualify for inclusion in Tiger Strings, prospective members must complete an audition and interview process, submit a teacher recommendation form, provide their own instrument, have completed Suzuki Book 1 or an equivalent and be willing to practice at home. The membership fee is $75 per semester, although families with more than one orchestra member pay $50 per child. During a typical rehearsal, the musicians practice for 30 minutes in their individual sections and then work as a group for another hour. King said the Tiger Strings program has made an incredible amount of progress in short time. “We were trying to come up with something that would absolutely include every child who wanted to play in an orchestra and would teach them about being in an orchestra and foster awareness about string playing,’’ King said. “Basically, we’re learning as we go. Some of them are very young, but they have been doing great.’’ Tiger Strings strives to provide string students to learn their craft in a supportive environment, supplement any training they receive from private lessons and build their enthusiasm for making music in a group setting. Dr. Kimberly Walls, professor and program coordinator of Music Education, said she has been encouraged by the participation level. “We hope that it will grow and expand and start branching out into the schools too,’’ Walls said. “We want this to be for East Alabama.’’ Kathy King works with more than 30 musicians in grades 2-12. Two COE faculty members receive Outreach Scholarship Grants Two College of Education faculty members recently received competitive Outreach Scholarship Grants from Auburn University’s Office of the Vice President for University Outreach in May 2009. Dr. DaShaunda Patterson received a $15,000 grant for her project, “Alabama Partnership for Research and Training on Positive Academic and Behavior Supports.’’ Patterson, an assistant professor in the Depart- ment of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology, is continuing a partnership between Auburn University and the Alabama State Department of Education. The collaboration involves research, training and technical assistance on school-wide academic and behavior sup- port for K-12 public schools in East and Central Alabama. Dr. Carolyn Wallace, an associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, received $9,668 for “Preservice Science Teach- ers Volunteering in an After-School Program: Service Learning through Environmental Education Projects.’’ Wallace’s project offers graduate students enrolled in an alternative master’s and certification program in secondary science opportunities to interact with children in the Opelika after-school program.
Keystone Volume VII, 201032 Research and Outreach College, Loachapoka students both learn from summer program Rather than jumping right in, Tykeria Dowdell and many of her classmates in Loachapoka’s 21st Century Community Learning Center Summer Enrichment Program took a cautious approach to swimming lessons. There were more than a few furtive glances cast at the instruc- tional pool inside Auburn University’s James E. Martin Aquatic Center and some tentative early exploration of it. Some children started by dipping a toe into the water. Others, like Dowdell, were more than a little anxious about what would happen once they were in it. Would they really have to learn how to put their heads underwater? “That’s really normal when you’re a kid and haven’t had the experience before,’’ said Maria Morera, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Kinesiology who led the K-8 students through swim- ming lessons in July 2009. “The pool looks like an ocean to them.’’ But, in addition to the enhancing the educational experiences of nearly 50 students, Loachapoka’s six-week Summer Enrichment Pro- gram challenges them to step outside their respective comfort zones. So elementary school students who have never taken art classes are encouraged to pick up paint brushes. Kids who would turn their noses up at vegetables learn to how to grow them. And others, who had yet to learn how to dog paddle, gradually dip their heads under- water with noses held and eyes closed as their swim instructors — the majority of whom are students in Auburn’s College of Education — reassured them that everything would be OK. Eventually, students like Dowdell overcame their initial fears well enough to take the plunge, open their eyes and enjoy the view below the surface. “One of my rules is to erase ‘I can’t’ from your head and use ‘I’ll try,’’’ Morera said. “I love it when they say, ‘Hey, look at me, I did it.’ My satisfaction is when they show me they are able do it.’’ The College of Education has been actively involved in helping students approach challenges with a “can-do’’ spirit. In the Summer Enrichment program, eight students from the Department of Spe- cial Education, Reha- bilitation, Counseling/ School Psychology com- pleted teaching prac- tica requirements while providing academic and behavioral support. The college’s presence in the school is year-round and multifaceted. Students from the De- partment of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology assist after-school program participants with homework, reading and recreational activities. The Music Education program provides support on multiple fronts, from lessons in elementary classrooms to musical composition exercises and instrumental instruction at the high school level. Elementary school students also receive tutoring from reading education students. In some cases, Auburn students find cause to redefine their career goals. Erica Del Greco, a senior early childhood education major from Birmingham, Ala., and Margaret Sherrod, a senior early childhood and special education major from Montgomery, Ala.,worked together to help fourth- to eighth-graders strengthen their spelling and writing. “I’d never gotten to work with kids this age,’’ Del Greco said. “It’s neat that they have such a variety of grade levels. It took me out of my comfort zone, and now I’m contemplating going back for a degree in elementary education.’’ Other students, including Morgan Lenz, a senior agriscience education major from Gulf Shores, Ala., enjoyed spending portions of their day working with a curious and highly energetic group of elementary schoolers. “I think it’s opened my eyes and helped me a lot in preparing for my internship in the fall,’’ said Lenz, who will teach in Tallassee (Ala.) High School’s agriscience department. After six weeks, it’s fair to say Lenz and Dowdell attached the same description to an experience that proved to be a learning expe- rience for them and so many others: eye-opening. Loachapoka students receive instruction in everything from reading to swimming. “I love it when they say, ‘Hey, look at me, I did it.’ My satisfaction is when they show me they can do it.’’ Maria Morera, doctoral candidate, Kinesiology
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 33 Research and Outreach Without a $1 million gift from 1968 Education graduates Wayne T. and Cheryl Glass Smith, the college’s Office of Research and Innovation might still exist a concept rather than a resource that helps faculty identify, cultivate and pursue government and private research funding. And, without an Office of Research and Innovation, Saye and the five regional school districts he repre- sented in a “Teaching American History’’ grant proposal might not have received $999,957 in funding from the U.S. Department of Education. “We would not have gotten this Teaching American History grant without that office,’’ said Saye, a professor of social science and co-director of the Persistent Issues in History Network. “There was just entirely too much [to do]. This was a huge un- dertaking with five school systems and having to coordinate all of that paperwork and get federal paperwork done. I could not have done this one without that institutional support.’’ Directed by Rodney Greer, who joined the college at the beginning of the 2008-09 academic year, the Office of Research and Innovation has enabled the college to rev up its pursuit of extramural funding opportunities for research efforts. Between July 2008 and July 2009, faculty members submitted 40 grant proposals — an 80-percent increase over submissions for the same period from 2007-08. It more than doubled the college’s seven-year average of 15.5 submitted grant proposals per year. Research in reviewFaculty revving up grant activity When asked to assess the value of the College of Education’s Office of Research and Innovation, Dr. John Saye takes a moment to think of the numerous hours of planning and paperwork involved in bringing his most recent grant to fruition. Top: Rodney Greer (left) helps Dr. John Saye work through the details of his “Teaching American History’’ grant.
Keystone Volume VII, 201034 Faculty sought more than $20.3 million in first-year extramural funding from various sources during that July 2008 to July 2009 reporting period, well above the college’s seven-year average of $3.04 million in requested first-year funding. From the submissions made during the reporting period, the college has been notified of 12 funded proposals for a total award amount of $4.88 million and $6.19 million in total project costs. Some of the college’s funded research and outreach highlights from the last year include: Sleep deprivation research Collaboration between faculty members in the College of Educa- tion and the College of Human Sciences will be strengthened by a $3.8-million National Institutes of Health grant over five years. Dr. Joseph Buckhalt, Wayne T. Smith distin- guished professor in the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology, and Dr. Mona El-Sheikh, an alumni professor in the College of Human Sciences’ Department of Human Development and Fam- ily Studies, are exploring the cause-and-effect relationship between sleep deprivation and behavioral and learning problems in children. Over the course of their research, entitled “Developmental Trajectories of Children’s Sleep and Development,’’ children’s sleep patterns will be monitored by small devices called “octographs.’’ The devices will monitor sleep, as well as tossing and turning and periods of interruption. The researchers will monitor more than 400 children from the Lee County region. Disabilities education Dr. Cari Dunn, professor of special education, serves as a co-principal investigator for a project involving Auburn University, Auburn Univer- sity Montgomery, Alabama State University, Tuskegee University, the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, two community colleges and six East Central Alabama school districts. A $3-million Research in Disabilities Education grant from the National Science Foundation will provide funding for the Alabama Alliance for Students with Disabilities in Science, Technology, Engi- neering and Mathematics (AASD-STEM). The goal of the project is to increase the quantity and quality of students with disabilities receiving associate, baccalaureate and graduate degrees in STEM disciplines. Training teachers to be leaders TEAM-Math (Transforming East Alabama Mathematics), a partnership comprised of Auburn’s College of Education and College of Science and Mathematics, Tuskegee University and 15 regional school districts, received a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foun- dation’s Robert Noyce Scholarship Program. Led by Drs. Gary Martin and Marilyn Strutchens, its co-directors and distinguished mathematics education professors, TEAM- Math is providing advanced degree and professional development opportunities for 22 educators through the Teacher Leader Academy for Elementary Mathematics Specialists. Rehabilitation Counseling expands reach The Rehabilitation Counseling master’s program landed two major grants in 2009 — a five-year, $1 million Comprehensive System of Personnel Development grant from the Rehabilitation Services Ad- ministration and a five-year, $750,000 grant from the U.S. Depart- ment of Education. The RSA grant allows the program to provide scholarships for 14 working rehabilitation counselors interested in obtaining their master’s degrees without relocating or interrupting their everyday work. It also enables the rehabilitation counseling master’s program to leverage new technological devices as teaching tools and as a means of serving students with disabilities. Dr. Randall McDaniel, Wayne T. Smith distinguished professor of rehabilitation, applied for the grant. The USDE grant applied for by Dr. E. Davis Martin, chair of the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/ School Psychology and Wayne T. Smith distinguished professor, enables the program to provide tuition and living expenses for eight students interested in vocational rehabilitation. Relating the past to the present The Teaching American History grant Saye submitted on behalf of Alexander City, Phenix City, Tallapoosa County and Lee County (Ala.) schools will provide resources for boosting student achieve- ment and teacher knowledge in the subject area. The project, “Plowing Freedom’s Ground,’’ provides teachers in grades 4-12 with enhanced historical content knowledge, inquiry
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 35 strategies and interactive Web-based tools to engage their students in the study of five historical periods: Revolution and the New Nation, Expansion and Reform, Civil War and Reconstruction, the Develop- ment of Modern America and Contemporary America. Building literacy A $99,000 grant from the Alabama Commission on Higher Educa- tion will enable Auburn faculty members to build on the success of a reading improvement program implemented in Chambers County (Ala.) high schools. The grant provides a second year of funding for the Strategic TIPS in Reading program, a project involving faculty in the College of Education and the College of Liberal Arts, the Auburn University Montgomery School of Education and the Alabama Reading Initiative. Dr. Edna Brabham, associate professor of reading education in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, submitted the original proposal, which builds on a statewide K-12 initiative designed to improve reading instruction and achieve 100 percent literacy among public school students. Physical activity in rural children Three Department of Kinesiology faculty members — Drs. Mary Rudisill, Leah Robin- son and Danielle Wadsworth — received more than $73,000 from the National Institutes of Health to advance their work examining the influence physical education instructional ap- proaches have on the activity levels of African- American children from rural backgrounds. Guarding against heart attacks A $37,979 grant from the National Institutes of Health will help Dr. John Quindry, assistant professor of exercise science, further understand- ing of heart physiology and biochemistry during heart attacks. His project will increase understanding of why an exercised heart is protected during an attack. Wellness of the elderly Dr. JoEllen Sefton, director of the college’s Neu- romechanics Research Lab and the Post-Certifi- cation Graduate Athletic Training Program, will investigate the ways in which massage therapy influences the physical well-being of the elderly with the help of a $30,000 grant from the Massage Therapy Foundation. Her study will evaluate how massage therapy affects balance, heart rate, spinal responses and blood pressure in the elderly. Eleven faculty members receive COE Seed Grants The college’s Scholarship and Innovation Committee awarded more than $20,000 in college Seed Grant funding to faculty members since April 2009. The faculty members who have received funding are:  • Dr. Bruce Gladden, Department of Kinesiology, “Lactate Preservation of Function during Hypo- glycemia for Potential Cancer Treatment” • Dr. Daniel Henry, Department of Educational Foun- dations, Leadership and Technology, “Project RISE (Resiliency in Schools Everywhere)” • Drs. Lisa Kensler, Lynne Patrick and Ellen Reames, Department of Educational Foundations, Leader- ship and Technology, “Systems Thinking Tools for Improving Data Informed Decisions: A Pilot Study” • Dr. Jada Kohlmeier, Department of Curriculum and Teaching, “Exploring the democratic reasoning of high school seniors through a collaborative com- munity of practice of government teachers” • Dr. Angela Love, Department of Curriculum and Teaching, “Effects of an Early Language and Literacy Intervention on Achievement of Low-to- Moderate Income Prekindergarten Children” • Dr. Deborah Morowski, Department of Curriculum and Teaching, “Implementing Culturally Relevant Teaching through the use of Multi-Cultural Lit- erature: A Study of Teacher Beliefs on Diversity” • Dr. John Quindry, Department of Kinesiology, “Ex- ercise, Spinal Cord Injury, and Remote Precondi- tioning against Heart Attack Damage” • Dr. Leah Robinson, Department of Kinesiology, “Discovering Biological and Psychosocial Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease in High-Risk Pediatric Populations” • Dr. JoEllen Sefton, Department of Kinesiology, “Whole Body Vibration Effects on Cardiovascular Response in Healthy Individuals” The college’s seed grant program was established to as- sist research projects that show promise for future funding. Learn more about about ongoing projects at education.auburn.edu/ research
Keystone Volume VII, 201036 Curriculum and Teaching In order to cultivate the next generation of leaders in agricultural production, science, education and agribusiness, the College of Education and College of Agriculture are plant- ing possibilities in the minds of high school students. As a product of its partnership between the two colleges, Auburn University has formed an agriscience education academy that will build student in- terest in related degree programs at the college level and groom future leaders in the field. The two-year project, “MATRIX for the Future: Premier Agriscience Education Acad- emy,’’ was developed by Drs. Brian Parr, an assistant professor of agriscience education in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, and Don Mulvaney, a professor, animal scientist and leadership coordinator for the College of Agriculture. Their initiative is supported by a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Parr and Mulvaney developed the academy as a way of building a better future for agricul- ture regionally and nationally. Declining enroll- ment in agricultural programs at Auburn and at land-grant colleges nationwide, coupled with a shortage of secondary and postsecondary agricultural edu- cators, spurred Parr and Mulvaney into action. They will use the agriscience education academy to encourage high school students to pursue college degrees in agricul- tural disciplines and identify career avenues. “What we have in mind is using it to build leadership capacity in secondary agri- culture students and to also recruit students into our agriscience education pro- gram and into the technical ag programs in the College of Agriculture,’’ Parr said of the program’s goals. Parr said the initiative consists of three pri- mary components, the first of which brought 80 secondary students to Auburn’s campus in No- vember 2009 to gain a firsthand understanding of the university’s agriscience education and ag- ricultural offerings. There will also be a one-day agricultural leadership workshop with sessions hosted in the northern, central and southern regions of the state and a summer academy that will bring students and agriscience education teachers to Au- burn University in June 2010. “We’re going to bring them to campus for five days and four nights and give them extensive leadership training and expose them to agri- science education as a profession and as a ma- jor here at Auburn,’’ Parr said. “They’ll go back to their schools and we’ll implement programs that will be dual-enrolled.’’ Parr and Mulvaney have enlisted Auburn’s Collegiate FFA chapter to hold the statewide leadership workshops for local FFA chapters. The workshops will enable participates to rec- ognize and develop their leadership potential. The summer Agricultural Leadership Education Academy will feature advanced lead- ership instruction, tours of research facilities, preparation for college entrance exams and job interviews and networking opportunities with Auburn faculty and students. College launches agriscience leadership program for high school students Kuehne receives alumni award Dr. Jane Kuehne, assistant professor of music education, received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the Uni- versity of Texas San Antonio during its spring 2009 gradua- tion ceremony. Kuehne earned her undergrad- uate and master’s degrees in music education from UTSA. Her research and outreach interests include computers in music education, improvement of music education for at-risk K-12 students and beginning- level choral sight-singing. Kuehne has also received a number of other honors in the last academic year. In 2009, Kuehne was selected to serve as the conductor for the Georgia Music Educators Association District Three Middle School Honor Choirs. Kuehne selected music and rehearsed the ensemble for a concert at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts in Columbus, Ga. Kuehne also serves as a judge for the Page One Awards, a scholarship competition for West Georgia and East Alabama high school seniors sponsored by the Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer. The scholarship competition includes a category for music students who excel in scholar- ship and service. K E Y N O T E S “We’re going to bring [high school students] to campus ... and give them extensive leadership training.” Dr. Brian Parr
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 37 There’s an old saying among math educators that Dr. Gary Martin uses to explain what changes the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics hopes to inspire through its recently-published document on reasoning and problem-solving techniques. Math is not a spectator sport. “You have to do it,’’ said Martin, an Emily R. and Gerald S. Leischuck endowed profes- sor of secondary mathematics education. “You don’t learn how to play the violin by listening to violin music.’’ Martin served as chair of the writing and planning groups for the NCTM document, “Focus in High School Mathematics: Reason- ing and Sense Making,’’ which was published in October 2009 as a follow-up to a 2006 work that offered grade-by-grade content standards in math for pre-K through eighth grade. The 2009 school document outlines ways in which reasoning and sense-making can be promoted in high school mathemat- ics educa- tion. NCTM main- tains that mastering those abilities will better prepare students for careers in math- and science- related occupations. Martin said that students are more likely to be interested in and become proficient at mathematics if they are challenged and become engaged in the how and why of problem-solving. “The point we take in this document, and the point that NCTM has taken since 1980, is that math is about thinking and doing,’’ he said. The release of the document coincided with federal and state policymakers’ efforts to push for more consistency in course mate- rial. Alabama is one of 48 states taking part in “Common Core,’’ an initiative designed to yield common math and language arts standards. Dr. Marilyn Strutchens formulated a blueprint for success for the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) before she began serving as the organization’s president- elect in January 2010. Strutchens, a Mildred Cheshire Fraley dis- tinguished professor of secondary mathematics education in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, identified several goals for AMTE, which works to promote the improve- ment of mathematics teacher education. Her goals include fostering high expecta- tions for teachers and equipping them with the knowledge to support diverse student populations in meeting those goals, providing incentives for junior faculty to remain in math education, leveraging technology in classrooms, building relationships between researchers and practitioners and supporting the development of elementary mathematics specialists and teacher certification. The latter will ensure that elementary students receive fundamental foun- dational knowledge from educators well-versed in the subject who convey material in challeng- ing and innovative ways. AMTE’s membership consists of educators working in K-12 and university settings. Strutchens, who coordinates Auburn University’s secondary mathematics education program, began serving as president-elect after AMTE’s January 2010 conference. She will serve four years total — one as president-elect, two as president and one working with the incoming president-elect. Martin promotes problem-solving approach to math education AMTE names Strutchens as president-elect Leier receives international award for top TESOL article The International English Education Research Associa- tion honored Dr. Robert Leier with its 2009 International Award for Outstanding Teach- ers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Article. Leier, program coordinator for English Speakers of Other Languages education, received the award for an article en- titled, “Assessing ELLS in ESL or Mainstream Classrooms: Quick Fixes for Busy Teach- ers.’’ The article, co-authored with Dr. Laureen Fregeau of the University of South Alabama, appeared in the The Internet TESL Journal. Parr doubles up on journal awards Dr. Brian Parr, assistant professor of agricultural education, received Author of the Year honors from two different publications during May 2009 conferences. The Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education and the Journal of Agricultural Education each named Parr as their 2008 Au- thor of the Year on the basis of work that appeared in the respective publications. The Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Edu- cation honored Parr for an ar- ticle on agricultural education issues in the former Soviet republic of Georgia. His other award resulted from an article on agricultural mechanics. K E Y N O T E S Curriculum and Teaching
Keystone Volume VII, 201038 Kraska wins outstanding manuscript award Dr. Marie Kraska, a Mildred Cheshire Fraley distinguished professor in the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology, has earned the Outstanding Conceptual Manuscript Award from the Journal of Industrial Teacher Education. The award resulted from her article, “Retention of Gradu- ate Students Through Learn- ing Communities,’’ published in Volume 45 in fall 2008. Kraska’s teaching specialties include educational psychol- ogy, measurement, evaluation research and statistics. Reames elected vice president of AAPEL Dr. Ellen Reames was recently elected vice president of the Alabama Association for Pro- fessors of Educational Leader- ship, adding to the College of Education’s history of leader- ship within the organization. Dr. Frances Kochan, dean of the College of Education, served as interim president of the organization when it was formed in 1996. Reames, an assistant professor and program coordinator of educational leadership, joined the faculty in 2007. K E Y N O T E S Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology During his time as a high school teacher, Dr. Paris Strom found that student voices weren’t often heard in discussions involving school disciplinary policies, curriculum changes or instructional methods. Strom, an associate profes- sor of educational psychol- ogy in the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technol- ogy, has done his part to change that culture by using student opinion to improve school ef- fectiveness. Following up on “Polling Students About Conditions of Learning,’’ a research col- laboration with Drs. Robert Strom and Char- lotte Wing of Arizona State University, Strom devised polls in 12 categories to help middle school, junior high and high school administra- tors better understand student perceptions of learning conditions. The surveys, available at LearningPolls.org, allow school administrators to make better- informed decisions by incorporating student opinions. Students can be polled about one or more of the following topics: Internet learning, tutoring, time management, cheating, stress, cyberbullying, peer support, career exploration, dress codes, frustration levels, boredom, and student responsibilities. The polling enables officials at individual schools to assess student attitudes about a broad range of issues, to understand trends and to make sound policy decisions based in part on the survey results. For example, a student poll about Internet learning may enable administrators to find ways to better integrate technological tools as learning resources. Other polls may be used to help shape disciplinary standards for cheating or enable school officials to better understand why some students are reluctant to seek out tutoring assistance. “The reason why these polls are important is because, at each school, you have to assess the norm,’’ Strom said. “These polls, at this point in time, are not intended to assess a national norm. They’re intended for use by schools, indi- vidually, to assess their sites. It demonstrates to the kids that, ‘we’re asking you because we care what you think.’’’ Strom said it’s particularly important for superintendents, principals and teachers to communicate effectively with students because technological innovations have created as many barriers as they have opportunities. With the explosion of iPods, cell phones, text messag- ing and social networking Web sites, teenagers understand more about technology than many of the adults teaching them and have shown a heightened preference for the Internet as source for learning. Strom ex- plores the latter issue in depth in the book “Ado- lescents in the Internet Age,” co- authored with his father, Rob- ert, a professor of educational psychology at Arizona State. The one-time Arizona public high school teacher said he and his research partners were pleased with the response rates of the polls administered in that state. He said that between 60 and 90 percent of the students in the rural Arizona schools where the polls were adminis- tered participated. Strom said he and his research partners work with principals and superintendents to develop and administer the polls. Teachers serve as poll proctors for the students, who typically complete the surveys in computer labs. Students receive a password and entry code, guaranteeing anonymity and ensuring that they vote no more than once. Strom said the construction of the polls also enables administrators to learn how student responses vary along the lines of age, gender and ethnicity. Results are calculated in real time, with data presented in bar graphs. Strom sees student polling as key to lasting school improvements Satrina Chapman Administrative Support Associate I New Faces
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 39 Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology Dr. James Witte refers to a portion of his graduate student audi- ence as “the folks out there in ‘TV Land.’” Some of those folks have participated in class discussions despite sitting in hotel rooms in Texas or while sitting in the passenger seat of a car traveling on the interstate. Those faraway faces only need a laptop, webcam and wireless Internet to remove the barrier of distance as they pursue a master’s degree in adult education with an emphasis on cooperative extension. While several students attend classes on campus, others stay connected via interactive TV as they balance family and career obligations. They are free to log in from Huntsville, Mobile or any points in between. During class, Witte can carry on discus- sions with students seated at the confer- ence table or with the distance education students whose faces are displayed on the TV screens at the back of the classroom. “It’s an interesting thing,’’ said Witte, associate professor and Adult and Higher Education program coordinator. “They can address me, address the other people in TV Land, whatever they choose to do. We’re sitting in a comfortable envi- ronment and we can engage here, people out there can cross engage, they can text one another. It’s sophisticated enough that when we have the teaching methods class, those TV-connected people originate slide-support- ed presentations with the same ease and professionalism as those in the classroom.’’ It’s a far cry from when Witte taught his first methods class and used chalk to convey notes on a board. The evolution will continue as Auburn and the College of Education look for ways to meet the needs of students globally, nationally and locally. Cooperative extension professionals will soon have another option for professional development via distance education. Au- burn’s Board of Trustees has approved a certificate for cooperative extension educators to be offered through distance education. The certificate, earned through a five-course series, will be available to cooperative extension employees nationwide. A quotation that Dr. Tony Thacker once used as his e-mail signature resonates with students in the Instructional Leadership Preparation Program. Thacker, education administrator for the Alabama Department of Education and project administrator for the Governor’s Commis- sion on Quality Teaching, included the following statement at the end of his missives: “No leader is successful unless a lot of people want them to be.’’ The quote resonated with Elisha Martin ’05, a third-grade teacher for Roanoke City Schools, and other members of the ILP cohort who have benefitted from the spoken and written words of such figures as Thacker, deputy state superintendent of education Tommy Bice ’77 and John Bell ’80, coordinator of the Alabama Department of Education’s Office of Leadership Development. Martin and other members of the K-12 ILP master’s cohort who aspire to be principals realize that school improvement only results if teachers buy into the process. “I think the biggest impact they have made on me is to remem- ber that you have to include as many teachers as possible in order to sustain success for a long period of time,’’ Martin said. Through their contact with guest speakers like Bice, Thacker and Bell, teachers from 11 partner school districts gain a deeper under- standing of what makes an effective school leader and how to inte- grate theory and practice. The program, one of only three approved redesigned master’s degree programs in instructional leadership for school principals, graduated its first cohort in 2009. The program covers such themes as collaboration and communication, reflective practice, technology, learning communities, leadership develop- ment, inclusiveness and data-driven decision-making. Dr. Lynne Patrick, associate clinical professor and program coordinator, said action-research has emerged as an especially powerful component. “That’s what the whole capstone and everything we’re doing in the master’s program is about — identifying the problem in your school so it’s job-embedded and the teachers have ownership and can directly affect student achievement,’’ she said. “We identify a project, then do the action research and carry it out.’’ John Prestridge ’08, a social studies teacher at Smiths Station High School, said the program has helped him look at various ways to remove obstacles to learning in his school. “I think there are a lot of ways to look at a problem,’’ he said. “I need to be able to step back and assess the entire situation when it comes to analyzing risk factors and how to react to them.’’ Connecting with students in `TV Land’ ILP cohort learns how to remove obstacles to learning
Keystone Volume VII, 201040 Kinesiology As director of the Department of Kinesiol- ogy’s TigerFit lab, Dr. Peter Grandjean whole- heartedly endorsed the “Exercise is Medicine’’ initiative launched by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medi- cal Association as a means of emphasizing the medical benefits of regular physical activity. Grandjean succeeded in raising the program’s profile in Alabama by soliciting Gov. Bob Riley’s help in promoting it. Riley signed a proclama- tion designating May 2009 as “Exercise is Medicine” Month in Alabama. Grandjean said such a measure could prove invaluable in inspiring change in a state where, according to a 2005 Behavior Risk Factor Sur- veillance System study, 65 percent of adults are overweight or obese. As a result, Alabama ranks within the top 10 states for prevalence of heart disease, strokes and diabetes. In order to reverse those trends on the national level, the American College of Sports Medicine and American Medical As- sociation developed the “Exercise is Medicine’’ initiative in 2007 and called on states to devote a month of the year to emphasize the health benefits of physical activity. “We’re intervening in the lives of others to promote health,’’ Grandjean said. “Every little dose of exercise causes a response. You have to continue to ‘take the medicine’ in order to get an overall treatment effect.’’ Dr. David Pascoe enjoys seeing the reactions of individuals who are will- ing to “have their picture taken’’ by the infrared thermography machine in his Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum laboratory. The resulting images displayed on a comput- er screen provide a splash of bright colors. Clothing and sunglasses show up in shades of fluorescent blue, while faces and arms burn brightly in shades of red and orange. The display is as educational as it is colorful. Those patches of red and orange hold the key to detecting pandemics such as H1N1, SARS or avian flu. Since fevers represent the human body’s defense mechanism against unwelcomed pathogens, Pascoe, a Humana-Germany-Sher- man distinguished professor, uses the colors revealed by the infrared camera as a guide for detecting an elevated core temperature. “There are some strains of [the flu] that show up as a fever,’’ said Pascoe, who directs Auburn’s Thermal Laboratory. “This febrile temperature is an indicator of a disease state. In the pandemic state, they started scanning peo- ple at airports looking for these temperatures. What they’re trying to do is pick up individuals who had a higher temperature than what they would expect.” According to the Centers for Disease Con- trol and Prevention, between 39 million and 80 million cases of H1N1 occurred between April and December 2009. Given the spread of H1N1 and the likelihood that many cases flew coach before reaching their final destinations, the technology Pascoe utilizes in the Thermal Laboratory would prove invaluable in crowded travel hubs like airports and train stations. Governor joins Kinesiology faculty in promoting active lifestyles through `Exercise is Medicine’ Month Thermography technology plays pivotal role in pandemic detection Sefton named to massage therapy task force Dr. JoEllen Sefton, an assistant professor and director of the Neuromechanics Research Laboratory, was named to the Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge (MTBOK) Task Force in July 2009. Sefton is one of eight volunteer members of the task force, assembled by the MTBOK Stewards on the basis of experience and expertise in the field of massage therapy. Sefton focuses much of her research on how the neuro- muscular system responds to injury, rehabilitation and thera- py. A nationally certified mas- sage therapist for 15 years, Sefton’s long-term research interests involve developing an understanding of the means by which massage therapy influences neuromuscular and physiological function and how such techniques contribute to improved quality of life through pain relief. The MTBOK Task Force will work to develop a unified communications platform in order to help those outside the profession better under- stand it. The team will work to define massage therapy and its scope of practice, as well as the competencies for entry- level massage therapists. The foundational elements of the initiative are expected to be completed within a year. K E Y N O T E S
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 41 Rudisill elected to American Kinesiology Association office Dr. Mary Rudisill, Wayne T. Smith distinguished professor and head of the Department of Kinesiology, has been elected to The American Kine- siology Association’s Board of Directors. Rudisill will serve a three- year term from 2010 to 2013. She joins Cathy Ennis of the University of North Carolina Greensboro and Wojtek Chodzk-Zajko of the University of Illinois as new board members. The board and an executive committee oversee the organization, which promotes kinesiology as a unified field of study and provides information for aca- demics, media members and laypersons interested in learn- ing more about the benefits of physical activity. Robinson earns pair of national awards Dr. Leah Robinson, an as- sistant professor of motor behavior, has been announced as the recipient of a pair of national awards. The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAH- PERD) selected Robinson as the recipient of the 2010 Mabel Lee Award. In De- cember 2009, the Motor Development and Learning Academy Committee of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) selected Robinson as the recipient of the 2010 Lolas E. Halverson Motor Develop- ment and Learning Young Investigator Award. K E Y N O T E S A 45,000-square foot facility set to open in fall 2010 will serve as a staging area for research in such areas as cardioprotection and orthope- dic injury rehabilitation. Auburn University broke ground on the $21 million Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research Center in February 2010. The facility’s third floor will include space for the Department of Kinesiology and some of its research partners. Located in the Auburn Research Park on Devall Drive, the MRI Research Center will house a Siemens Verio open-bore 3-T MRI scanner for clinical and research use, as well as the nation’s first shielded whole-body 7-T MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging uses a magnet- ic field and radio waves to create detailed im- ages of organs, tissues and the skeletal system. The core of the MRI machine is a large magnet, which has a strength measured in Tesla, or T, and is named after inventor Nikola Tesla. Au- burn’s 7-T MRI, one of only 28 worldwide, will be the only actively shielded unit in the U.S. Faculty and stu- dents in the Depart- ment of Kinesiology will have roughly 1,000 square feet of lab space. “It’s a great opportunity for us,’’ said Dr. JoEllen Sefton, assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and director of its Neuromechanics Research Laboratory and Post-Certification Graduate Athletic Training Program. “It’s huge for [student] recruitment. We have a master’s student who has decided to stay here for his doctoral program because this is available.’’ The MRI Center’s lab space and resources will prove invaluable for research efforts in neu- romechanics, biomechanics, cardioprotection, exercise biochemistry and muscle physiology, Sefton said. In addition to the Department of Kinesiol- ogy, the facility’s third-floor tenants will include the East Alabama Medical Center Rehab Works and The Auburn Spine and Neurosurgery Center. The U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL), which col- laborates with Kinesiology faculty on research involving head and spinal injuries, will also have office space in the building. “We anticipate a lot of collaboration,’’ Sefton said. Other features of the center will include distance-enabled classrooms for MRI training, a research laboratory and a waiting room. Dr. Thomas Denney, a professor of electrical and computer engineering, will serve as director of the research center. The facility is expected to be completed in September 2010. Kinesiology to benefit from new MRI research center Kinesiology Auburn President Jay Gogue and Alabama Gov. Bob Riley look at an artist’s rendition of the MRI Research Center. “It’s huge for [student] recruitment. We have a master’s student who has decided to stay here for his doctoral program because this is available.’’ Dr. JoEllen Sefton
Keystone Volume VII, 201042 Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology A new College of Education outreach initiative is enlisting the help of student organizations to improve the lives of students in high-needs schools. Auburn VOICES coordinates with student groups within the college to focus efforts on advocacy and outreach. Student lead- ers work to identify projects they would like to sponsor and assist through monetary or material donations. Auburn VOICES is involved in a number of different projects to help K-12 students in Notasulga. In addition to collecting donated musical instruments, Auburn VOICES has also worked with Col- lege of Education student groups to raise money for classroom supplies like maps, calculators, books and printer cartridges. Dr. Jamie Carney, professor and coordinator of community agency counseling, said her goal as Auburn VOICES’ faculty adviser is to help student organizations understand the nuances of fundraising and relationship building with community partners. “Often, students have the initiative, enthusiasm and desire to do these things, but they don’t have an idea of where to start or how to do it,’’ Carney said. “Student organization leaders have really taken this [project] to heart.’’ Carney works in conjunction with Dr. Lynne Patrick, associate clinical professor of educational leadership, who is the College of Education’s liaison with Notasulga. The project is also supported by the Dean’s Office, through Dr. Peggy Dagley’s work with student leaders as director of Profes- sional Education Services. Carney became interested in help- ing Notasulga schoolchildren after visiting the high school and learning that the maps being used in social studies classes were more than 40 years old. The college’s Student Coun- cil and Iota Delta Sigma, the Auburn chapter of the international counseling honor society Chi Sigma Iota, Best Buddies, the Student Alabama Education Association and private donors have already raised the necessary funds to provide materials for a number of projects. Auburn VOICES collected assorted musical instruments to present to Notasulga High School in March. By the end of March, seven of Auburn VOICES’ 21 resource requests had been sponsored. Kathy Robinson, a graduate research assistant and doctoral candidate in counselor education, has met with leaders of seven different student groups within the college to build awareness about the needs of Notasulga students and the power that Auburn’s future educators have to build better futures for them. “We have students involved, we have faculty involved,’’ said Robinson, who serves as a graduate assistant advisor for student organizations. “Everybody is working as a team. We’re advocating with and for them.’’ Auburn VOICES improving resources for Notasulga students Notasulga students pose with William Shakespeare. Notasulga students enjoy a trip to Montgomery. Collaboration results in first Alabama Correctional Education Summit An outreach partnership between the College of Education and the College of Liberal Arts resulted in the first Alabama Correc- tional Education Summit being held in May 2009. Dr. Peggy Shippen, an associate professor in the College of Education’s Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology, and Kyes Stevens, director of the Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project, organized the event with the help of a $15,000 competitive Outreach Scholarship Grant.  In establishing the event, Shippen and Stevens sought to explore the roles and resources of organizations that contribute to prisoner education programs, identify independent and overlapping pro- grams and form a working community of stakeholders. In addition to involving faculty members and administrators in the Colleges of Education and Liberal Arts in the dialogue, Shippen and Stevens also brought together representatives from the Alabama Department of Corrections, the Alabama Department of Youth Services, the Alabama Board of Pardons and Parole, Aid to Inmate Mothers, the Society of St. Dismas, the Alabama Department of Post Secondary Education, the Central Alabama Laubach Literacy Council and New Beginnings Foundations. The Alabama Correctional Education Summit resulted from Shippen’s and Steven’s project, “Enhancing the Educational Skills of Alabama’s Prison Population,’’ which focuses on expanding basic literacy tutoring programs and enhancing Auburn University’s prison-based education efforts.
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 43 Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology Buckhalt recognized for productivity According to research con- ducted by professors at the University of Memphis and Indiana University, Dr. Joseph Buckhalt, Wayne T. Smith dis- tinguished professor of school psychology, ranks among the most productive scholars in the field of school psychology. Randy Floyd of Memphis and Rebecca Martinez of Indiana University identified Buckhalt among top scholars in the field as part of a survey of strategies and resources used by researchers. Their findings will be included in a special issue of the Journal of School Psychology. Dagley earns Lifetime Mentoring Award In honor of his commitment to helping students over the course of his career, Dr. John Dagley was honored by the American Psychological Asso- ciation’s Society of Counseling Psychology (Division 17) at its national convention. Dagley, an associate professor of counseling psychology, re- ceived the Lifetime Mentoring Award during the organiza- tion’s meeting in Toronto. K E Y N O T E S Gov. Bob Riley appointed Dr. E. Davis Martin as chair of the Alabama Council for Developmental Disabilities. The organization provides advocacy for Alabamians with developmental disabilities and works to make them independent, respected, productive and fully integrated members of society. The council also works with the families of individuals with developmental disabilities to ensure that they receive appropriate services and support. Martin, who serves as chair of the Depart- ment of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psy- chology, learned of his ap- pointment in March 2010. A recipient of the college’s Wayne T. Smith Distin- guished Professorship, Martin has served as a pro- fessor of rehabilitation and special education at Auburn since 2003. He is a licensed counselor, as well as a nationally certified rehabilitation counselor and vocational evaluator. In 2008, Riley reappointed Martin to the Alabama State Rehabilitation Council. Governor appoints Martin to state council The Auburn Transition Leadership Institute celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Alabama Transition Conference by involving youth lead- ers with national and state experts in discussing effective practices for promoting successful outcomes for young people with disabilities. The 20th annual Alabama Transition , held in March 2010, brought together education, rehabilitation and mental health professionals, as well as transition-age youth and their fami- lies, to discuss transition practices, services, research and policies. To mark the anniversary, four national centers sent principal investiga- tors to Alabama to address student retention, post-school outcomes, community integra- tion and technical assistance for providers of services for youth with disabilities. Featured presenters included Assistant Sec- retary of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Alexa Posny, who was selected for her position by President Obama in 2009, and Dr. Mabrey Whetstone ’73 of the Alabama Depart- ment of Education. “This conference provides a forum for all involved to come together for a common purpose,’’ said Dr. Karen Rabren, director of the Auburn Transition Leadership Institute (ATLI) and an associate professor. “It is an enjoyable and meaningful event and it is great to be around others who are carrying out the mis- sion of improving the lives of youth and young adults with disabilities.’’ Shortly after transition services were mandated by federal law in 1990, the Alabama Transition Conference was organized to pro- vide personal, professional and policy develop- ment opportunities for youth and young adults, parents, educators, rehabilitation counselors, job coaches, agency and program administra- tors and other transition stakeholders. Auburn Transition Leadership Institute hosts 20th annual conference Courtney Dotson Administrator II, Outreach Programs Auburn Transition Leadership Institute Cynthia Vasilas Visiting Assistant Professor New Faces Building Brighter Futures for Youth &Young Adults with Disabilities Building Brighter Futures for Youth &Young Adults with Disabilities Building Brighter Futures forYouth &Young Adults with DisabilitiesBuilding Brighter Futures forYouth &Young Adults with Disabilities
Keystone Volume VII, 201044 Groccia elected VP of ACEA Chris Groccia, special projects director for the Truman Pierce Institute, now serves as vice president/president elect of the Alabama Community Education Association. The ACEA is a non-profit organization that provides in- formation, training, advocacy, networking opportunities and leadership for its members. Groccia was elected to office during the organization’s annual conference held in Gulf Shores, Ala., in Febru- ary 2009. She also received the Outstanding Benefactor Award for her work provid- ing support to liaisons and consultants working with 21st Century Community Learning Center programs, as well as 149 grantees across the state. Groccia coordinates the 21st Century Community Learning Center contract between the Truman Pierce In- stitute and the Alabama State Department of Education. In that capacity, Groccia provides ongoing training and support to Alabama’s 21st Century Community Learning Center grantees on their required reports and helps coordinate summer camps for high school tutors. Community education has three underlying components, including lifelong learning, community involvement and efficient use of resources. K E Y N O T E S A College of Education fac- ulty member serves as the only full-time university professor among a select group exploring ways to lower the state’s high school dropout rate. The Alabama State Legislature appointed Dr. Cindy Reed, professor of educational leadership and director of the college’s Truman Pierce Institute, to the Alabama Select Commis- sion on High School Graduation and Student Dropouts. The commission, created by the legislature in the summer of 2009, will develop new strategies, programs and efforts to increase on-time high school graduation rates. Lowering Alabama’s high school dropout rate, which cur- rently exceeds 30 percent, is critical to improv- ing the state’s economic well-being, creating employment opportunities and lowering crime.   “High school dropout rates are unaccept- ably high in Alabama and elsewhere,’’ Reed said. “In my opinion, the work of the commission is incredibly important in that students who drop out of school not only limit their own oppor- tunities in life, but their actions impact all who live in the communities around them in terms of potential economic development, crime rates and other quality of life issues.’’   The commission will study the problems and patterns of high school dropouts in Alabama, as well as their ed- ucational and economic impact on the state and local communities. In addition to examining graduation and dropout rates in the state, com- mission members will research best practices and factors related to student success, the social and economic consequences of dropping out of school, laws and policies that must be addressed in order to develop more effective strategies and support systems for K-12 students.   The Select Commission on High School Graduation and Dropouts includes eight mem- bers of the Alabama State Legislature; four state busi- ness, community and civic leaders appointed by Gov. Bob Riley; four legal, philanthropic and educational leaders identified by Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb; and four educational leaders, includ- ing Reed, who were chosen by Alabama State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton ’69, a College of Education graduate. Reed also completed a four-year research collaboration with Jay Lamar, director of the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities, in spring 2009. Their project resulted in a book on how connections can be strengthened between communities and their educational systems. Reed wrote the coda for “Connections: Com- munities, Schools, and the People Who Made Them,” a 147-page volume that provides first- person accounts of the educational experiences that shaped students, teachers, superintendents, mayors, librarians, businessmen and parents. The book includes the elementary and second- ary education experiences of 10 Anniston, Ala., citizens, many of whom lived through the Civil Rights movement. Reed to provide college perspective on high school dropout prevention Truman Pierce Institute “High school dropout rates are unacceptably high in Alabama and elsewhere. ... Students who drop out of school not only limit their own opportunities in life, but their actions impact all who live in the communities around them in terms of potential economic development, crime rates and other quality of life issues.’’ Dr. Cindy Reed, Truman Pierce Institute director
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 45 The Southern Public Re- lations Federation recently honored the 2009 edition of the College of Education’s annual alumni magazine, the Keystone, with an Award of Excellence in its Lantern Awards Program. The Keystone received its award in the “Other single-issue publications’’ subcategory of the Special Purpose Publications division. Published each spring since 2004, the Keystone reaches 31,000-plus College of Education graduates and donors, as well as other community, state and national partners and various other stakeholders. Designed and published by the College of Education, the Keystone’s production team includes graphic designer Amanda Earnest, editor Troy Johnson and Director of External Relations Michael Tullier, APR. This SPRF award of excellence is the Keystone’s third since 2005. SPRF represents a network of more than 1,300 public rela- tions professionals in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle. At press time, the college had received notification of a pending award from the Public Relations Council of Alabama. The award will be announced with others at the organization’s annual conference in April. Dr. Daniel Clay, associate dean for ad- ministration, research and innovative programs in the College of Education, has been named dean of the College of Education at the University of Missouri in Columbia. The appointment will take effect in June 2010. As part of his new position, Clay will also fill the role of Joanne H. Hook endowed chair in Education Renewal at the university. “I am excited about this opportunity because this is my alma mater and an outstanding institution,’’ said Clay, who earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in counseling psychology from Missouri. “On a more personal note, we have immediate family in and around Columbia, so we will be much closer to our fami- lies. I am very appreciative for the opportunities at Auburn and for all the wonderful relationships we have made. The Auburn community has been warm and welcoming to me and my family and we are thankful for the opportunity to live and work in this great community.” Clay joined the College of Education in 2007 after serving as associate dean of academic affairs for the College of Education and Human Services at Western Illinois University. He previ- ously served on the faculty at the University of Iowa, the Univer- sity of North Dakota School of Medicine and the Michigan State University School of Medicine. His research focuses on children with chronic illnesses or disabilities and their integration into schools. College of Education Dean Frances Kochan and 230 students were initiated into the Auburn University Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi during its spring 2009 initiation and awards ceremony. Kochan, a Wayne T. Smith distinguished professor in the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology, is internationally known for her expertise in mentoring, as well as her published research on teachers as researchers, family and school relation- ships and middle school organizational change. Phi Kappa Phi, founded in 1897, is the nation’s oldest, largest and most selective all-discipline honor society. Dean Kochan recognized by Phi Kappa Phi Keystone magazine receives regional public relations award University of Missouri selects Clay as new dean Catina Jackson-Woods Administrative Associate I - Academic Professional Education Services Office of the Dean New Faces Keep up with the search for a new College of Education dean by visiting education.auburn.edu/deansearch
Keystone Volume VII, 201046 Take careful inventory of the items lining the shelves and racks of local big box retailers. Those polo shirts, sneakers, gardening tools, toothbrushes, tricycles, laptop computers, bric- a-brac and build-them-yourself bookcases most likely arrived — packaged and ready for purchase — after an extended cruise aboard a massive con- tainer ship. These vessels, which span the length of more than three football fields, serve as the workhorses of the global import-export industry. Unbeknownst to most consumers, Auburn graduate and 2010 Keystone Leader-in-Residence Robert Kenneth Johns ’57, played a significant role in redefining that industry and in streamlining the process that brings merchandise to local stores. After graduating from Auburn in 1957 with an education degree, Johns went to work with Sea-Land Service, Inc., a newly formed transporta- tion company based in Mobile, Ala. Founded by transportation entrepreneur Malcolm McLean, Sea-Land revolutionized the way goods get from point A to point B. “We created a new way to do ocean shipping,’’ said Johns, a Mobile, Ala., native. “The old way [of 2010 Keystone Leader-in-Residence Robert Kenneth Johns ’57 knows what it takes to keep businesses running shipshape Smoothsailing
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 47 Keystone Leader loading ships] was with pallets, slings and bales.’’ It was a process that re- lied on the brute strength of longshoremen, many of whom looked as if they’d stepped out of the Marlon Brando classic On the Waterfront. Sea-Land recognized that spe- cially designed cranes and other machines could do the job cheaper and more efficiently while also reducing the incidence of damage, delays and theft. Most significantly, those machines could load and unload large detachable metal contain- ers from ships and easily transfer them to tractor trailer trucks for transport. Sea-Land’s innova- tions, which included the building of larger ships to transport more items at a time than ever before, changed the nature of world trade and stimulated post-war economies worldwide. “The 1950s were a time when a lot of systems were being automated,’’ Johns said. “We were the ones who took it up for ocean transportation. Like everything else, there’s a leader who has to be out in front. None of us knew it would go as far as it did. It has made world trade much easier. Walmart couldn’t exist the way it does without this system.’’ Johns rose up Sea-Land’s ranks, moving from Mobile to Tampa to Jacksonville to New Orleans before landing at the company’s headquarters in New Jersey. He served as Sea-Land’s president and chief operating officer from 1979 to 1987, guiding it through an especially prosperous era as it main- tained its standing as one of the world’s largest and most successful transportation companies. Sea-Land subsequently became part of the Maersk Group. In 2008, the combined company, Maersk- Sealand, grossed revenues in excess of $28 billion. After retiring from Sea-Land, Johns founded The Hampshire Management Group, Inc., a Man- hattan-based firm of which he remains chairman and chief executive officer. Since its inception, the firm has either created as start-up or obtained through acquisition or shareholding alliances nu- merous innovative and successful businesses that primarily serve the ocean shipping industry. Even though he could have retired comfortably after 30 years in the shipping business, Johns continues to go to the office every day because he’s an Auburn man who believes in The Auburn Creed. “Part of The Auburn Creed is that ‘I believe in “There is a responsibility that goes with leadership. Sometimes it’s a burden, but often it’s an opportunity and always it’s a responsibility. I think it’s important to have an open mind and to be alert to opportunity and to be inquisitive about what’s going on around you.’’ Johns played on three Gator Bowl teams.
Keystone Volume VII, 201048 work, hard work,’’’ he said. “I really like working.’’ He also enjoys sharing the business knowl- edge he’s acquired through more than 50 years of service. When asked about his own template for effective leadership, Johns places a value on being able to anticipate and adapt. He learned that early, when Sea-Land adopted a business philosophy that others had yet to emulate. “We were a breakaway, no question,’’ said Johns, who received the Auburn Alumni Associa- tion’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. “That ground floor sort of gave me a little bit of a jump on other people and it also required that I share what I knew with others. “There is a responsibility that goes with leader- ship. Sometimes it’s a burden, but often it’s an opportunity and always it’s a responsibility. I think it’s important to have an open mind and to be alert to opportunity and to be inquisitive about what’s going on around you.’’ In the trenches Before focusing on shipping lanes, Johns cleared running lanes as a lineman on the Auburn football team from 1953-56. He earned a scholarship offer from legendary coach Ralph “Shug’’ Jordan after excelling in three sports at Vigor High School in Prichard, Ala. He and his teammates — who included future Georgia football coach Vince Dooley and future Alabama governor Fob James along with stars like Lloyd Nix, Morris Savage and George Atkins — led Auburn to three consecutive Gator Bowls during a turning point in its football history. “Playing for Coach Jordan was a great oppor- tunity to watch and learn how a real solid, quality individual operates each day,” Johns said. In 2006, Johns earned the Walter Gilbert Award, presented to former Auburn athletes who have demonstrated a high level of achievement after graduation. Johns still speaks fondly of his time at Auburn, and why not? He remains married to his wife, Barbara, a former Auburn co-ed from Birmingham who also majored in education. Education as a vessel Before graduating from Auburn, Johns briefly con- sidered following the footsteps of Dooley and be- coming a coach. But it made sense for him to enter the shipping industry because that’s what he knew as a child. He grew up on a farm in Andalusia, but his family moved to Mobile after the outbreak of World War II. His father, Aubrey, contributed to the war effort by providing some of the necessary manpower and imagination needed to build the nation’s industrial base. He became a ship builder at the Alabama Drydocks, where steel and rivets became freighters and tankers. “At the dinner table, of course, the talk was often about the job and the war effort,’’ Johns said. “I grew up talking about ships and what would be built and why. I grew up thinking about ships.’’ The man who grew up thinking about ships now appreciates education as a vessel of sorts. There’s no telling where it can take you. “I went in a different direction, but I think education prepared me to deal with people,’’ Johns said. “Auburn University and the College of Education, in particular, have people who go into education wanting to make things better somehow. As you get into business and move up the manage- ment ranks, you find yourself teaching every day and all of that cascades down. There’s a teaching role every day of your life.’’ About the Keystone Leader-in-Residence program Since its inception in 2003, the College of Education’s Keystone Leader-in-Residence has introduced students to successful leaders in education, government, human services, community services and health services. Keystone Leaders spend a day on campus, visiting students, faculty and staff and sharing their personal and professional experiences in such forums as a campus-wide lecture, classroom and small- group settings. The keystone provides a fitting symbol for the program because educa- tion — like the keystone of an arch — serves a central, supporting role in society. The Keystone Leader-in-Resi- dence program enhances the College of Education’s efforts in developing competent, com- mitted and reflective profes- sionals who utilize education in building better futures for all. 2009 Brenda Smith Sanborn ‘68, former executive with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals 2008 Rev. Chette Williams ’86 author and Auburn University football team chaplain 2007 Susan Dryden Whitson ’91 former press secretary for First Lady Laura Bush 2006 Kathy Langois Munro ’70 principal in San Diego-based BridgeWest LLC 2005 The Hon. Kay Ivey ’67 Alabama State Treasurer 2004 Gordon Sherman ’57 principal for Atlanta-based Lamon & Sherman Consulting LLC and retired Social Security administrator 2003 Wayne T. Smith ’68 chairman, president and CEO of Tennessee-based Commu- nity Health Systems VillagePhotographersofAuburn,AL Smoothsailing continued Robert Kenneth Johns ’57 (center) earned the Auburn University Alumni Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 49 Undergraduate Master’s Specialist Doctoral 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 04-05 557 613 615 603 05-06 06-07 07-08 328 13 8 25 9 368 360 339 17541 19344 19634 20748 650 08-09 8 38520750 DEGREES CONFERRED, all levels, since 2004-2005 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 EXTERNAL GRANT FUNDING, since 2004-2005 0 1,000,000 2,000,000 3,000,000 4,000,000 5,000,000 6,000,000 7,000,000 8,000,000 08-09 $8,160,013 $4,708,286 $6,739,544 $5,195,938 $4,576,726 73% 27% Male Female STUDENT ENROLLMENT, collegewide by gender, as of fall 2009 Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior/Second Degree Master’s Education Specialist Doctoral 12% 17% 14% 17% 16% 2% 22% STUDENT ENROLLMENT, collegewide by classification, as of fall 2009 09-1008-0907-0806-0705-0604-05 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 29 31 36 39 43 44 7 7 11 12 15 16 ACTIVE ENDOWED AND ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS, since 2004-2005 Undergraduate Graduate 32% 63% Individuals Corporations Foundations DONOR CATEGORIES, as a percent of overal giving, calendar year 2009 5% 6% 34% Student Support Faculty Support 60% DONOR FUND DESIGNATIONS, as a percent of overall giving calendar year 2009 Programmatic Support 26% 26% 27% 21% Full Professor Associate Professor Assistant Professor Instructor FACULTY BY LEVEL, collegewide by classification, as of fall 2009 Individuals Corporations Foundations 2% 1% 97% DONOR CATEGORIES, as a percent of total donors, calendar year 2009 College Knowledge
Keystone Volume VII, 201050 F or the past several years, especially those under Dean Kochan’s leadership, we on the National Advisory Council have been striving to mean- ingfully support the work of our faculty and staff in educating students and reaching out to our college’s school and community partners. A couple of years ago, our council created an Internal Relations Committee, currently under the leadership of Susan McIntosh Housel ’73 of Auburn. Susan and her committee look for ways to maintain relationships with our faculty while also helping the council create a pres- ence among our students — particularly our more than 15 student organizations. Equally important to supporting our faculty and staff has been our Academic Affairs Committee, led by Dr. Thomas Taylor ’60 of Clinton, Miss. Academic Affairs Committee members assist the council in reviewing and awarding annual council mini-grants to faculty, which this year totaled nearly $6,000. Two other committees are assets to our alumni relations and fundraising ef- forts. External Relations Committee chair Bill Langley ’63 of Columbus, Ga., and Development Committee chair Hollis Messer ’55 of Orange Beach, Ala., assist college staff in keeping alumni informed about and connected with the college. As you can see from the graduation years and locales of our council, we don’t limit membership based on where you live or what you do for a living. If you are interested in learning more about council membership, or wish to be considered in the future, please learn more at education.auburn.edu/alumni/nac. Speaking of our members, I want to thank four of our members rotating off the council for their service: Dr. Katrice Albert ’02 of Baton Rouge, La.; Dr. Victor Gaston ’80 of Mobile, Ala.; Dr. Floyd Hall ’48 of Greenville, S.C.; and Dr. Wright Lassiter ’72 of Dallas, Texas. So, we invite you to get involved — either through our council or by contact- ing any of our members to find out what you can do to support our college and build better futures for all! War Eagle, James “Jim” Manley ’60 Chair, National Advisory Council A Messagefrom the Chair Since 2001, the National Advisory Coun- cil has encouraged college faculty to develop meaningful research and outreach projects that strengthen partnerships and further the college’s strategic priorities through a mini-grant program. The mini-grants, provided through personal gifts by council members, typically provide up to $2,000 in funding per project. After reviewing a number of project proposals submitted by faculty, the council voted to provide support for the fol- lowing projects: • “A Clustered Cohort Model (CCM) Study: The Auburn College of Education Instructional Leadership Programs as Perceived by Leadership Students and Partner Local Educational Agency Field Based Coaches,” Drs. Ellen Reames, Lisa Kensler, Carey Andrzejewski and Lynne Patrick, Department of Educational Foun- dations, Leadership and Technology • “Extending our Reach: Challenges and Opportunities facing Principals Today and Tomorrow,” Dr. Cynthia Reed, Tru- man Pierce Institute • “The Use of Advanced Remote Technol- ogy for the Supervision and Assistance of Intern Teachers,” Dr. Brian Parr, Depart- ment of Curriculum and Teaching Requests for mini-grant proposals are issued by the college’s Office of Research and Innova- tion each spring. Proposals are then reviewed by the council’s Academic Affairs Committee. The mini-grants may provide “seed money’’ that can be combined with other sources of funding. After the recipients have been selected, they are asked to provide reports to the National Advisory Council on how the mini-grants have assisted their research. Advisory Council encourages research, outreach efforts Learn more about the college’s National Advisory Council at education.auburn.edu/ alumni
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 51 National Advisory council James “Jim” Manley ’60 Council Chair Retired banker, SunTrust Bank Decatur, Ga. Dr. J. Floyd Hall ’48 Retired school superintendent and professor Greenville, S.C. Dr. Katrice Albert ’02 Vice Provost for Equity, Diversity and Community Outreach, Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, La. Dr. Imogene Mathison Mixson ’63 Retired community college academic dean Ozark, Ala. Dr. Ron Saunders ’70 Superintendent, Barrow Co. Schools Winder, Ga. Col. Hollis Messer (US Army-Ret.) ’55 Chair, Development Agent, ONO Realty Orange Beach, Ala. Dr. Carol Edmundson Hutcheson ’69 Retired principal Columbus, Ga. Donna Carpenter Burchfield ’71 Lawyer, King & Spalding Atlanta, Ga. Dr. Byron B. Nelson Jr. ’57 Retired school superintendent Union Grove, Ala. Dr. Shirley Kelley Spears ’71 Director, B.B. Comer Memorial Library Sylacauga, Ala. Sharon Rochambeau Lovell Former school board member Vestavia Hills, Ala. The Hon. Victor Gaston, Ed.D. ’80 State Representative, Alabama House of Representatives, 100th District Mobile, Ala. Kym Haas Prewitt ’86 Exec. director, Children’s Literacy Guild of Ala. Birmingham, Ala. Leslie S. Woodson ’80 Business analyst and trainer/technical writer, EDS Corporation Alabaster, Ala. Dr. Thomas N. Taylor ’60 Chair, Academic Affairs Educational consultant and retired superintendent Clinton, Miss. Dr. Nathan L. Hodges ’74 President, Bowling Green Technical College Bowling Green, Ken. Dr. Tim Alford ’68 Executive Director, Alabama Construction Recruitment Institute Pelham, Ala. Dr. J. Carlton Smith ’67 Retired superintendent Vestavia Hills, Ala. Susan McIntosh Housel ’73 Chair, Internal Relations Retired elementary educator Auburn, Ala. Dr. Wright L. Lassiter Jr. ’75 Chancellor, Dallas County Community College Dallas, Texas Dr. Cynthia Ann Cox ’77 Special Education Teacher, Coronado Unified School District Coronado, Calif. Dr. Harold Patterson ’54 Retired school superintendent Guntersville, Ala. Susan Dryden Whitson ’91 Former White House press secretary, Office of the First Lady Washington, Va. William D . “Bill” Langley ’63 Chair, External Relations Business owner, Sidewinder Inc Columbus, Ga. Dr. J. Terry Jenkins ’83 Superintendent, Auburn City Schools Auburn, Ala. Nancy Culpepper Chancey ’62 Chairwoman, CH&B Inc. Enterprise, Ala. Patsy Boyd Parker ’70 Education consultant, college adviser and retired counselor Opelika, Ala. Dr. W. Mabrey Whetstone Jr. ’73 Director, Special Education Services, Alabama Department of Education Titus, Ala. Hedy White Manry ’71 Vice president, Solutions Leadership Initiative, Global Solutions, IBM Americas Cornelius, N.C. Mary Chambers Gross ’65 Retired high school educator Melbourne, Fla. Dr. Frances Skinner Reeves ’71 Retired mental health counselor West Point, Ga. Catherine Cary Zodrow ’72 Media instructional assistant, Ogletree Elementary School Auburn, Ala. NAC Council Executive Committee Council Members 2009-2010
Keystone Volume VII, 201052 Alumni As for the question of which came first, the chicken or the egg, Wayne McElrath ’52 can’t provide a definitive answer. McElrath Farms lacked the presence of either organism when it hatched as a commercial egg business. In fact, the only employee during the formative stages of the business that would eventually transform McElrath into a multi- millionaire was its namesake and CEO. All that existed in the early stages of McElrath Farms in 1968 was the man, a parcel of land in Albertville, Ala., and a very ambitious plan. “We started it from nothing,’’ said McElrath, who graduated from Auburn with a degree in agricultural education. “When we incorporated our little business, we didn’t even own a chicken at the time. I borrowed up to my ears.’’ As a child of the Great Depression, McElrath learned that the only way to turn nothing into something was through perseverance. He developed the necessary work ethic — and more than a few cal- luses — following a mule with a plow on his family’s row-crop farm in Cherokee County. So it shouldn’t have been surprising when, four years after its foundation, McElrath Farms had grown to include 600 employees who oversaw the processing of nearly 500,000 dozen eggs and one million broilers per week. The eggs and broilers — chickens raised specifically for meat production — became the cornerstones of a successful business that heartily rewarded McElrath’s early risk. As the result of McElrath’s resounding success in the business world, his commitment to education and his willingness to invest in students, the College of Education selected him for its 2010 Outstanding Alumnus Award. McElrath was honored at the college’s 29th Annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony in March. In 2008, McElrath created an endowed scholarship to support students enrolled in the College of Education’s agriscience educa- tion program. McElrath said the decision to donate to the college stemmed from his high school and Auburn University experiences. The gift paid tribute to a high school agriculture teacher who in- spired him and the opportunities that his Auburn University educa- tion helped create. McElrath has also provided support for Auburn’s College of Agriculture and the Big Oak Ranch, a Christian home for abused and unwanted children. “It was my passion to help young folks who were struggling and needed help,’’ said McElrath, a U.S. Army tank commander during the Korean War. “College doesn’t necessarily make you any smarter, but it introduces you to a lot of things and opens doors to young people. In my case, I came from a row-crop farm where we were growing cotton and barely getting by. I realized at an early age that if I was going to improve myself, I was going to have to get a good education.’’ McElrath channeled his education into a successful career in the Alabama poultry industry that spanned more than 30 years. After the Korean War, McElrath landed a job as a poultry feed salesman with Ralston Purina, the world’s largest animal feed company at the time. When the company entered the poultry and egg business, it selected McElrath to be a live production manager for its commer- cial egg and hatchery division in Albertville. McElrath ascended the corporate ladder in the company’s egg and broiler operations, mov- ing to corporate headquarters in St. Louis, before leaving in 1968 to start his own business on a wing and a prayer. College’s 2010 outstanding alumnus cultivating agriscience educators 2009 Dr. Joseph Morton ’69 2008 Dr. Ron Saunders ’70 2007 Dr. J. Phillip Raley ’71 2006 Dr. J. Terry Jenkins ’83 2005 Hedy White Manry ’71 2004 Gordon M. Sherman ’57 2003 Dr. Joyce Reynolds Ringer ’59 2002 Dr. Shirley Kelley Spears ’71 2001 Dr. Betty McClendon DeMent ’71 2000 Dr. Wayne Teague ’50 1999 Dr. J. Floyd Hall ’48 1998 Alice “Ruthie” Bolton ’90 1997 Dr. Earl “Buddy” Weaver ’62 1996 Kay E. Ivey ’67 1995 Wayne T. Smith ’68 1994 Dr. John M. Goff ’72 1993 no recipient 1992 Reita Ethel Clanton ’74 1991 Dr. Marilyn Clark Beck ’66 1990 Jeanne Swanner Robertson ’67 1989 Dr. John H. “Pete” Mosley ’58 1988 Dr. Gerald S. Leischuck ’64 1987 Dr. Ann M. Neely ’77 1986 no recipient 1985 Dr. Robert L. Saunders ’47 1984 Dr. Merle Royston Friesen ’76 1983 Dr. Wayne Teague ’50 College of Education Outstanding Alumni: A look at the previous recipients:
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 53 Recipe for success From her 17th floor office, Nancy Estelle (Hall) Horvath ’82 overlooked the laying of the foundation for her second career. She could hear its formation too. The construction workers made sure of that as they cleared away the granite across the street and 17 floors below with window- rattling explosions. Over the next several months, as the grumbling of heavy machinery replaced the booming of the dynamite, Horvath, then a vice president for the multinational computer technology firm Oracle Corporation, could see the Art Institute of Atlanta gradually take shape from her office high above. Little did she know that the new building would come to play a pivotal role in her life. An appetite for teaching On a rainy winter Saturday morning, Horvath welcomes a few visi- tors into her home and invites them to sample the homemade biscot- ti she’s made in her kitchen, a gleaming 18-by-18 space appointed with the sort of granite countertops and stainless steel appliances that would make a perfect backdrop for a show on the Food Network. In this space, Horvath is better known as Chef Nancy. The one-time vice president, who once demystified the intrica- cies of computer software, now puts the business education degree she earned from Auburn to use as owner and operator of GoChef. In addition to providing catering services, she offers “Gourmet on the Go’’ cooking classes in her home kitchen. Even though Horvath has channeled her true passion into a new career, even though she’s fulfilled by teaching cooks of varying skill levels how to construct scrumptious and intricate meals, there’s a downside to her new line of work. “Nobody invites us to dinner anymore,’’ Horvath joked. Business education background a key ingredient in Nancy Hall Horvath’s ’82 successful transition from corporate world to kitchen
Keystone Volume VII, 201054 Instead, everyone wants to come to her house to sample such delights as pretzel-crusted pork tenderloin, chicken Wellington, Bananas Foster or the spiced caramel roulade filled with cream, candied ginger and covered with a bourbon caramel sauce. In demonstrat- ing the architecture involved in these dishes, Horvath reveals what she was before she climbed the corporate ladder and before she decided to leave the computer software world behind in order to enroll in culinary arts classes at the Art Institute of Atlanta. Horvath started out teaching business educa- tion classes in Georgia’s Fulton County public schools, and she remains an educator at her core. While walking an eight-member class through the planning and preparation of a three-course menu, Horvath passes around pieces of fresh tarra- gon so her students can take in its licorice aroma. She shows them how to properly butterfly a flank steak and how to create layers of flavors by stuffing it with prosciutto, Fontina cheese and fresh basil leaves before grilling. Her classes showcase an indispensable ingredi- ent from her public school teaching days. “Lesson plans,’’ said Horvath, who provides her students with recipe booklets and tip sheets outlining necessary pantry items and proper cook- ing temperatures. “I may not sit down and write out a full-blown lesson plan like I did as a teacher, but I certainly think through it all and organize everything. The main thing I learned from teaching was how to communi- cate with people and understand different learning styles.’’ Pursuing her passion Horvath’s Gourmet on the Go class handout features a Bible passage at the bottom. Psalm 145:15-16 underscores the joy she derives from her current vocation, as well as the leap of faith that led her to it: “The eyes of all look, expectantly to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.’’ Making a clean break from corporate culture wasn’t especially easy. Since starting her post- teaching career at Unisys, Horvath transitioned to Oracle and rose up the ranks during her 11 years there, starting as an instructor and eventu- ally becoming a vice president who oversaw 450 employees in Oracle’s $250 million Education Division. She could see her future being built from the window of her office. As the Art Institute of Atlanta began taking shape, Horvath moved into a position with Information Access Management, a nearby start-up company established by one of her former high school students. Horvath always had the desire to cook and en- tertain, but she didn’t see it as anything more than a hobby until she met her future husband, Patrick, a high-tech entrepreneur and former Naval aviator and Gulf War veteran, in 2002. Over the course of some of the picnic lunches Chef Nancy prepared for them to share, Patrick encouraged her to pur- sue her passion. “He was the one who told me I was in the wrong career,’’ she said. “He told me, ‘You might have missed your calling.’’’ A ‘Slice’ of life When Horvath showed up for her first day of class in the Art Institute of Atlanta’s culinary arts program, she could have easily second-guessed her decision to change careers. “Here I am at 40 going back to culinary school and these kids were all 18 or 19, right out of high school,’’ she said. She also stood out for another reason on the first day after cutting herself while examin- ing a classmate’s kitchen knife. The instructor Recipe for success continued
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 55 nicknamed Horvath “Slice,’’ but she soon became known for her attention to detail and her ability to layer flavors. It continues today as Horvath will test a recipe several times, adding new twists and refining it, before including it on her menu. “Since I was cooking as a hobby, there was a lot to learn,’’ Horvath said. “We would do an hour of knife skills every day, cutting carrots, onions, celery, tomato, garlic and parsley. The instructor would get out his measuring stick and make sure you were at one-eighth of an inch or that you were doing whatever shape and sizes you had to do.’’ The seven academic quarters Horvath spent becoming a certified chef equipped her with skills well beyond pureeing and julienning. The curriculum taught her all of the elements of being a business owner and manager — everything from buying sugar packets and straws to designing a restaurant floor plan. “By graduation, you had a portfolio where you had created a business,’’ Horvath said. After marinating in Horvath’s portfolio, the GoChef and Gourmet on the Go concepts are now tantalizing taste buds and building hobbyists into better cooks. She has especially enjoyed the interactive nature of her classes, which provide simple, clear instructions for preparing complex meals. It’s obvious the former classroom teacher and corporate manager still knows how to connect with an audience. On the rainy winter Saturday when Horvath taught the art of grilled stuffed flank steak, one class member volunteered that she was making her sixth appearance despite living in North Dakota. The woman squeezes in the class whenever she visits her daughter in the Atlanta metro area. Stories like that leave no doubt that Horvath has most definitely found her calling. “My hope is that people who don’t like to cook or are scared to cook feel comfortable in com- ing,’’ Horvath said. “You try to make it so it’s easy, it’s fun and they can put together a nice dinner party with a couple of basic skills and a little bit of knowledge.’’ “I may not sit down and write out a full-blown lesson plan like I did as a teacher, but I certainly think through it all and organize everything. The main thing I learned from teaching was how to communicate with people and understand different learning styles.”
Keystone Volume VII, 201056 Development GiftAnnuities. . . T o d a y P l a n n i n g f o r t o m o r r o w Looking for a fixed income with no market risk? A charitable gift annuity may be the answer to your search. By creating a charitable gift annuity, you’ll enjoy dependable and fixed payments you won’t outlive. At the same time, you’ll be supporting the College of Education. • Fixed and secure payments to you and/or a loved one • A current income tax deduction • Annual income savings • Future financial resources for Auburn **For illustration purposes only: Rates are recommended by the American Council of Gift Annuities, effective February 2009, and are subject to change. Gift Annuities are not offered in all states. For more information, please contact: Office of Planned Giving 334.844.7375 plannedgiving@auburn.edu One Life (Rates Effective February 1, 2009)** Your Age Rate of Return 65 5.3% 70 5.7% 75 6.3% 80 7.1% 85 8.1% 90+ 9.5% While perusing the shelves of the newly-dedicated Sun Belt Writing Project library, Dr. Susan Villaume found a number of titles that brought back a flood of memories. A copy of “And with a Light Touch: Learning about Reading, Writing, and Teaching with First Graders” momentarily transported Villaume back to her days as an elementary teacher. “I look over at this circulat- ing library and actually recognize some of the books,’’ said Villaume, associate dean of academic affairs and certification officer for the College of Education. “‘And with a Light Touch’ ... I used that back a hundred years ago.’’ Dr. Alyson Whyte, direc- tor of the Sun Belt Writ- ing Project, expects the books con- tained in a specially designated section of the college’s Learning Resources Center to become indispensable resources for teacher consultants. A $4,000 gift from the College of Education’s Dean’s Circle and the tireless work of Sun Belt Writing Project team mem- bers Marty Casey and Claudette Tennant ’09 led to the creation of the library, which opened in May 2009. Whyte said federal funding will allow for annual updates to be made to the library. “Marty and Claudette have spent untold hours building this collection,’’ Whyte said. “The LRC has helped them turn it into a shelved special collection for teacher leaders.’’ Casey, a kindergarten teacher at Beulah Elementary School, serves as the Sun Belt Writing Project’s open- enrollment programs elementary specialist. Tennant, an academic adviser in Auburn Uni- versity’s Department of Computer Science and Software Engineer- ing, serves as the Sun Belt Writing Projects congressional liaison and completed a teaching credential in English language arts educa- tion. Casey and Tennant received certificates of recognition from Villaume. Founded in 1981, the Sun Belt Writing Project works to promote student achievement by improving the teaching of learning of writing in grades K-12. The program in- corporates the model of teachers- teaching-teachers best practices. The Patrons of the Keystone- Dean’s Circle provides the dean with resources necessary for the college to exceed current levels of excellence in advanc- ing teaching, research and outreach. Dean’s Circle gift enables Sun Belt Writing Project to establish library Claudette Tennant and Marty Casey celebrate the library’s dedication with Drs. Susan Villaume and Alyson Whyte. AUB U R N U N I V E R S ITY PATRON S OF THE KE YSTONE D E A N ’ S C I R C L E COLL E G E O F E D U C A T ION TH E KEYSTON TRONS O F PATRON S OF THE KE YSTONE D E A N ’ S C I R C L E DE LE TH E KEYSTON TRONS O F DE LE TRONS O F DE TH E KEYSTON TRONS O F DE LE AU B U R N U N I V E R S ITY COL L E G E O F E D U C A T ION PATRON S OF THE KE Y STONE D E A N ’ S C I R C L E PATRON S OF THE KE Y STONE D E A N ’ S C I R C L E
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 57 Lila Lansing White lived in Tuscaloosa for 33 years, but she considers Auburn University and its College of Education a second home of sorts. “It’s all based on people,’’ White said. “I feel like I can go there at any time.’’ Even though she now lives in Tempe, Ariz., White still makes fre- quent trips to the Plains to learn more about the research being done in the Col- lege of Education and to see firsthand how her generosity helps others. White and her former companion, the late Lt. Col. Henry Earl Turner, established a fund for excellence for autism-related research and service. White has also funded an annual graduate assistantship. Presented for the first time in 2009, the Lila White Annual Graduate Assistantship is awarded to a special education graduate student whose scholarship and research focuses on autism. White worked with Auburn’s College of Education through inservice during her days as supervisor of special education for Tuscaloosa County Schools. Her frequent visits to Auburn allow her to learn more about the college’s research and to connect with current students. She especially appreciates being able to follow the achievements of doctoral candidate Cynthia Nelson Head, the first recipient of the Lila White Annual Graduate Assistantship. “It’s exciting to come to Auburn and watch her give a presentation,’’ White said. “Everybody ought to be able to do this with their money, to look at it at work. It’s the most rewarding thing in the world. It’s wonderful to meet the person you’re helping.’’ White has chosen to help Auburn because of its commitment to special education and the personal touch shown by the university’s Development Office and the college’s administration, faculty, staff and students. White, who earned an undergraduate degree in home economics from Iowa State, knows her sup- port for Auburn may be surprising given her ties to Alabama. Her late husband, Grover C. Niles, served as an academic counselor for Coach Paul “Bear’’ Bry- ant’s athletes. After her husband passed away, she met Turner, a widower with Auburn ties. Turner, who donated more than $1.6 million to Auburn, supported the univer- sity’s Army, Air Force and Navy ROTC programs. In addition to possessing a strong belief in the power of education, Turner and White had something else in common — both were military veterans. Turner served in World War II and the Korean War, earning a Bronze Star in the process. White was a captain in the Air Force and served a nine-year tour that included a stint in Japan. The couple shared a love for helping young people, as well as a love for each other. They moved to Tempe, Ariz., but remained connected to Auburn. Turner passed away in 2008, but his endowed fund for excellence will create many op- portunities for Auburn students. White drew inspiration from his gesture. Lila Lansing White values Auburn’s personal touch Lila White (left) has a keen interest in research relating to autism and assistive technology. Named for the year in which the Department of Education (now the College of Education) was established, the 1915 Society recognizes donors whose lifetime contributions and commitments to the college have reached a cumulative total of $25,000 or more (includ- ing outright gifts, pledges and planned gifts). 1915 1915 Donor Recognition To see a full list of 1915 Society members, visit education.auburn.edu/giving Recognizing donors who have given between $25,000 and $99,999
Keystone Volume VII, 201058 Donor Recognition TH E KEYSTONE PATRONS O F DE A N ’ S C I R C LE TH E KEYSTONE PATRONS O F DE A N ’ S C I R C LE DEA N ’ S C I R C LE PATRO N S O F T H E K E Y STONE V E R S ITY D U C A T ION KE Y STONE R C L E PATRON S OF THE KE Y STONE D E A N ’ S C I R C L E PATRO N S OF THE KEY STONE D E A N ’ S C I R C L E Patrons of the Keystone believe that education is central to building a better future for all. Patrons of the Keystone demon- strate their support of the College of Education by committing a multi-year pledge of financial support to the Dean’s Circle Fund. Each year, donations to the Dean’s Circle Fund provide the resources necessary for the college to exceed current levels of excellence in advancing its tri-fold mission of academic instruction, research and outreach. All alumni and friends of the College of Education are invited to become Patrons of the Keystone by committing a pledge of at least $1,000 per year for a minimum of three consecutive years. Benefits of Becoming a Patron of the Keystone • A College of Education Dean’s Circle lapel pin • Annual memento • An invitation to attend an annual banquet with the dean • Invitations to other college events throughout the year • Recognition as a member on the Patrons of the Keystone donor wall in Haley Center • Recognition as a Dean’s Circle member on the College of Education Web site • Personal satisfaction of contributing to the quality and success of the college, its faculty, staff and students • A tax deduction for 100 percent of your annual gift For additional information, please contact Molly McNulty, development coordinator, at molly.mcnulty@auburn.edu or 334.844.5793. Why did you join the Dean’s Circle? “In these tough economic times, it is imperative that our degrees in education from Auburn give us the competitive edge with HR departments when they are hiring. By joining the College of Education’s Dean’s Circle, we can work together to keep Auburn at the top academically and ensure our graduates jobs.” Beth Gregory St. Jean ’70 Marietta, Ga. To see a full list of the Patrons of the Keystone or to join, visit education.auburn.edu/giving
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 59 Donor Recognition L L T H E H O N O R R O L L The Auburn University College of Education has established The Honor Roll — a permanent listing of individuals who have been recognized by current or former students, colleagues, family members or friends through a charitable contri- bution of $500. The Honor Roll is a fund created to commemorate the significant roles of educa- tors in our lives and are used to provide student and faculty support. There are several special occasions and reasons to honor an educator/mentor in your life: • Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Hanukkah or Christmas • Birthday, anniversary, retirement or new job • Graduation To say “thanks” to that special person, please contact Molly McNulty at molly.mcnulty@auburn.edu or 334.844.5793. What did inclusion on the Honor Roll mean to me? “In the first days after my husband’s mother passed away, we found with her belongings a small metal tray, painted a soft yellow, showing a black line drawing of a teacher at her chalkboard. Lettered on the tray were the words ‘Mrs. Housel is the best teacher.’ We’ll never forget that moment — a sweet connection between her heart and mine. I never knew Mrs. Housel during her teaching days, but she always shared her excitement and memories when she asked about my own classroom, planning and students. “I’m not sure any of us can be ‘the best teacher.’ We are called to ‘give our best.’ When we do,then with our students and with other teachers we learn, grow and become more than we were before our time together. When David contributed to the Honor Roll he did three things — he honored his mother and me, he supported the College of Education and its commitment to developing true educators and he recognized the ‘head and heart’ dedication of all educators. Thank you, David.’’ Susan McIntosh Housel ’73 Auburn, Ala. Why do I support the Honor Roll? “When you give to the Honor Roll, you are helping young people become the talent and leaders for the future of our country and our world. Your Auburn experience made a difference in your life. Why not make a difference in the lives of others by honoring a special person?” Dr. Carol E. Hutcheson ’69 Columbus, Ga. To see a full list of the Honor Roll, visit education.auburn.edu/giving
Keystone Volume VII, 201060 2009 Pill ars of Trust recognizing donors who have contributed at least $1,000 and more American Chemical Society Ms. Mary Ann Pugh Arant AT&T Foundation Dr. Jim Bannon and Dr. Susan Bannon DC Mr. Frank Barbaree and Mrs. Warrene Barbaree 1915 Dr. Robert Boyce and Mrs. Mindy Boyce Mrs. Virginia Tolman Braswell Mr. Herman G. Broughton DC Dr. Phil Browning DC Mrs. Donna Burchfield DC HR Mr. Tom Burson and Mrs. Frances Burson DC Mrs. Nancy Tilden Campbell DC Mr. Jon Chancey and Mrs. Nancy Chancey DC HR 1915 Dr. Phillip Chansler and Dr. Mary-Claire McCarthy Mrs. Terrell Smyth Cheney DC Dr. Elizabeth S. Cheshire DC Mr. David Henry Clark DC Mr. Terry Coggins and Dr. Joanne Hamrick Coggins DC College of Education Student Council Comer Foundation Mr. David Cowden and Mrs. Betsy Cowden Dr. Cynthia Ann Cox DC HR Daewon America, Inc. Mr. Donald Ralph Davis Mr. L. Nick Davis Mr. H. Joe Denney DC Mr. Wesley Diehl and Mrs. Cidy Diehl Mr. David Dresher and Mrs. Debbie Dresher Mr. Paul Flowers and Mrs. Barbara Flowers 1915 Mrs. Connie Bomar Forester DC Rev. Byron Franklin and Mrs. Meriam Franklin 1915 Mrs. Betty Thrower Freeman DC 1915 Mr. David Fussell and Mrs. Barbara Fussell 1915 Mr. Ronald Gaiser and Mrs. Judi Gaiser DC 1915 Mrs. Barbara Daughtry Gosser DC Mr. George Hall and Mrs. Susie Hall DC Dr. Floyd Hall and Mrs. Martha Hall DC HR 1915 Mrs. Dottie W. Hankins Hanwha L&C Alabama, LLC Dr. Virginia Hayes DC HR Dr. Horace M. Holderfield Mrs. Lisa Hourigan Mr. David Housel and Mrs. Susan Housel DC HR 1915 Dr. Jim Hutcheson and Dr. Carol Hutcheson DC HR 1915 Mrs. Kay E. Ivey DC 1915 Dr. James T. Jenkins DC HR Mr. Foch Jinright and Mrs. Laura Jinright Mr. Ken Johns and Mrs. Barbara Johns DC Mrs. Kay Hathaway Jones 1915 Mrs. Martha McQueen Kennedy DC Kenny Howard Athletic Training Fellowship Dr. Maxwell Clark King Mrs. Mina Propst Kirkley DC Dr. William Kochan and Dr. Frances Kochan DC HR 1915 Korean Association of East Alabama Mr. Bill Langley and Mrs. Sharon Langley DC HR Dr. Gerald Leischuck and Mrs. Emily Leischuck DC 1915 Mr. Bill Linne and Mrs. Shirley Linne HR Dr. José Llanes and Mrs. Julia Llanes DC Mr. James Lovell and Mrs. Sharon Lovell DC HR Mr. Jim Manley and Mrs. Harriett Manley DC 1915 Mr. Jon Manry and Mrs. Hedy White Manry DC HR 1915 Mr. R. Wayne McElrath 1915 Col. Hollis Messer and Mrs. Alyce Jo Messer DC HR Dr. Imogene Mathison Mixson DC HR 1915 Dr. Jane Barton Moore DC HR 1915 Mr. Edward F. Murray Jr. DC Mr. James L. Murrell DC 1915 Dr. Byron Nelson and Mrs. Carolyn Nelson DC HR 1915 Mrs. Mary Hollis Newell Mrs. Sandra L. Newkirk 1915 Dr. Joan Vignes Newman DC Mrs. June Sellers Nichols DC Ms. Julie Rogers Nolen DC Opelika Industrial Development Mr. William Parker and Dr. Patsy Parker DC HR Dr. Harold Patterson and Mrs. Shirley Patterson* DC HR 1915 Mr. James Payne and Mrs. Angela Payne 1915 Mrs. Sue Atchison Pearson 1915 Dr. Richard Polmatier and Mrs. Janice Polmatier HR Mr. David Poole and Mrs. Lynda Poole Mr. John Prewitt and Mrs. Kym Prewitt DC HR Dr. Frances Skinner Reeves DC HR 1915 Mrs. Shirley Reynolds DC Mr. Ken Ringer and Dr. Joyce Ringer DC HR Dr. Joseph Russell and Mrs. Elizabeth Russell DC 1915 Mrs. Brenda Smith Sanborn DC Dr. Ron Saunders DC HR Mr. Todd Schuster and Mrs. Alliston Schuster Dr. Debbie L. Shaw DC 1915 Mrs. Marcia Loftin Sheppard DC Mr. Albert Smith and Mrs. Jule Collins Smith 1915 Mr. Jerry Franklin Smith DC HR 1915 Dr. John Carlton Smith DC HR Mr. Wayne Smith and Mrs. Cheryl Smith DC HR 1915 Mrs. Julia Huey Spano DC Dr. Ted Spears and Mrs. Shirley Spears DC HR Dr. Brett Sheldon Stark Jr. Mrs. Elizabeth Gregory St. Jean DC Dr. Barry Straus and Mrs. Denise Straus 1915 Dr. Tom Taylor and Mrs. Laura Ann Taylor DC HR The Ligon Foundation Mrs. Carol Cherry Varner DC Ms. Lila L. White 1915 Mr. Harry R. Wilkinson DC Mrs. Edna Hulme Willis Mr. Mark Wilton and Mrs. Cynthia Lee Wilton DC HR 1915 Dr. Jim Witte and Dr. Maria Witte DC Ms. Leslie S. Woodson DC HR Pill ars of Loyalt y recognizing donors who have given $500 to $999 Alabama FFA Alumni Association Dr. Richard Armstrong and Mrs. Marinell Armstrong Mrs. Cindy Stough Bailey Mrs. Beth Thomas Barnett Mrs. Mary Jeanette Barton Mr. Jim Black and Mrs. Kathy Black Mr. Ralph Bolt and Mrs. Betty Bolt Ms. Linda Louise Bomke Dr. Richard E. Brogdon HR Mr. Alan Coefield and Mrs. Tammy Coefield Mrs. Wanda F. Coffman Mrs. Belva Lee Collins Mrs. Janice Jones Cook Dr. John Dagley and Mrs. Peggy Dagley Mr. Rece Davis Mr. S. Eugene Dekich Mr. Timothy Farley and Mrs. Jennifer Farley Mr. James Flatt and Mrs. Susan Flatt Mr. Robert Gannon Mr. Barry Lynn Gilliland Mrs. Constance Jordan Green Halla Climate Systems Alabama Corp Hana Factory Automation Corporation Mrs. Brenda J. Hartshorn Mr. Rodney Hinton and Mrs. Judy Hinton Mrs. Joan Mize Holder Dr. Bessie Mae Holloway Mrs. Susan O’Neil Huffman Mr. Paul Hunt and Mrs. Lorraine Hunt Ken & OS, Inc. Mrs. Sarah Petit Kerrick Ms. Kate Kiefer Rev. Lowell Ledbetter Mr. James Lockett and Mrs. Peggy Lockett Col. William Long Jr. Ms. Frances M. Matters Dr. Bob Maughon Mr. Dow McDaniel and Mrs. Linda McDaniel Dr. C William McKee Mrs. Paula Stapp McMillan Ms. Luellen Nagle Mrs. Karen Stapp O’Brien Mr. Wynton Overstreet and Mrs. Charlotte Overstreet Mrs. Sharon K. Peterson Dr. Ellen Hahn Reames Lt. Col. John Ross Jr. Dr. Robert Rowsey and Mrs. Luella Rowsey HR SJA, Inc. Dr. Suhyun Suh Mr. Todd Thornell and Mrs. Melissa Thornell Mrs. Joy L. Tomasso 1915 Mrs. Joan Dickson Upton Mrs. Susan Carr Wadsworth Mr. Charles Wear and Mrs. Marion Wear Mrs. Teresa F. Wetherbee Pill ars of Hope recognizing donors who have given $100 to $499 Dr. Gwendolyn J. Adams Mr. Kenneth Ray Adams Mrs. Jane Brackin Adkinson Dr. Katrice Annette Albert HR Mr. F. Reg Albritton III Mrs. Julia S. Alexander Dr. Lydia Lewis Alexander Mr. Clarence Terrell Alford Dr. Timothy Alford and Mrs. Freddie Alford HR Mrs. Leigh Cannon Allbrook Mrs. Paula H. Allen Dr. Stanley Aman and Mrs. Cindy Aman Mrs. Dorothy Anderson Mrs. Tammy D. Anderson Mrs. Bebe Yancey Andrews Mrs. Katherine Dixon Anglin Dr. Anne Lewis Angstrom Anonymous Mrs. Jovette Gonzalez Arbona Mrs. Rebecca L. Armstrong Mrs. Alice Johnson Atkins Mr. George Atkins and Dr. Leah Atkins Dr. James Austin and Dr. Barbara Austin Mrs. Carol Dent Auten The Auburn University College of Education expresses its gratitude to the many alumni, friends and organi- zations who are key contributors to the college and its mission. This support helps the college in building better futures for all through its academic, research and outreach initiatives. This list of contributors rec- ognizes cumulative calendar year outright or planned gifts made to the College of Education during 2009. Key Contributors Key Contributors DC indicates a member of the Dean’s Circle 1915 indicates a member of the 1915 Society HR indicates an Honor Roll donor or honoree *deceased
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 61 Ms. Laurie E. Averrett Mrs. Linda Garrett Awbrey Ms. April C. Baggett Ms. Jane Elizabeth Baker Mrs. Amy Elizabeth P. Balkcom Mr. Dale Ballard and Mrs. Martha Ballard Mrs. Stacia M. Barnes Dr. Mary Sue Barry Dr. Nancy H. Barry Mrs. Patricia Brown Baughman Dr. Mark Bazzell Mrs. Amy Jean Beasley Mrs. Jennifer Bea Beasley Mrs. Miriam Rhyne Beck Ms. Marian Collins Bentley Mrs. Jane Moody Bergman Mrs. Barbara S. Berman Mrs. Patricia J. Bethel Dr. Thomas Reginald Bice Dr. Dudley Bickham and Mrs. Beth Bickham Mr. George F. Blake Mrs. Patricia H. Blanchard Ms. Blaire Lynch Blanchette Ms. Rebecca Evans Blanton Dr. Fred Bodie and Mrs. Judy Bodie Mr. George Bolling and Mrs. Sally Bolling Mrs. Patricia Hughes Bolton Ms. M. Diane Boss Mr. Robert Louis Bottsford Dr. Robert Ralph Bouchard Jr. Mr. Roger Wayne Bowen Mrs. Camilla H. Bracewell Mrs. Lisa Faye Brackett Mr. Perry Branyon and Mrs. Peggy Branyon Dr. Kimberly Braxton-Lloyd Ms. Ellanee Dianne Bright Ms. L. Rebecca Britton Mr. James Wesley Brooks Mrs. Judilyn Brooks Mrs. Nancy R. Brooks Dr. Resia Thornton Brooks Mr. Austin Alexander Brower Ms. Beverly E. Brown Mrs. Kathy Zeigler Bruce Dr. William H. Bruce Jr. Mr. Robert Bryan and Mrs. Melissa Bryan Mr. R.L. Bryant and Mrs. Virginia Bryant Mrs. Karla M. Buffington Mrs. Kathryn W. Bugg Dr. Ernest Burdette and Mrs. Martha Burdette Dr. Bettye B. Burkhalter Mr. Stephen E. Burkholder Ms. Kathryn V. Burnett Ms. Pamela C. Burnette Lt. Col. Samuel M. Burney Jr. Dr. Ray G. Burnham Mrs. Leslie Maloney Burns Mrs. Pallie J. Butler Mr. Rodney Byard and Mrs. Rebecca Byard Mrs. Maureen Sheppard Byrd Ms. Melanie Ann Cadenhead Mr. Milton Fred Cadenhead Dr. Jane S. Cahaly Mr. John Ray Caldwell Mr. Fred Callahan and Mrs. Mona Callahan Mrs. Donna McClung Camp Mrs. Linda Mason Carleton Mrs. Molly M. Carmichael Mrs. Deborah Hopkins Carter Ms. Patsy M. Carter Mrs. Debra Nathan Caudill Ms. Allison L. Chaffin Mrs. Margaret Greer Chambers Dr. Thomas Chambliss and Mrs. Stella Chambliss Mrs. Martha Cox Champion Dr. Russell L. Chandler Ms. Charlene T. Chapman Mr. Don Chapman and Mrs. Beverly Chapman Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Judith Chase Choi, Kim & Park, LLP Mrs. Tanya Densmore Christensen Mrs. Mary Morris Clackler Mr. Daniel L. Clay Mr. Donald Keith Clayton Mr. Dwight Cobb and Mrs. Eve Cobb Dr. Daniel Joseph Codespoti Mrs. Janet Paley Coggins Mr. Charles Cole and Mrs. Margaret Cole Mrs. Louise Jackson Cole Mr. Edwin Paul Collier Jr. Mrs. Jane Floyd Colvin Dr. Michael Stephen Comeau Mr. Mitt Seymour Conerly Jr. Mr. James O. Conway Dr. Milton Olin Cook Mrs. Martha R. Cooper Mrs. Elaine Rhodes Copham Maj William W. Corless Mrs. Lettie Green Cornwell Mr. William Cottle and Mrs. Brenda Cottle Mrs. Lori Dammes Cowley Mr. John Word Crabbe Mrs. Shirley Tuggle Crafton Dr. Ouida L. Craig Dr. Franklin R. Croker Mrs. Dorothy Hackney Crook HR Mrs. Diane Myrick Cropp Ms. Jill T. Crow Mr. James Culbreth and Mrs. Suzanne Culbreth Mrs. Heather W. Daffin Mrs. Beatrice Dominick Dallas Mr. Joseph Franklin Daniel Mrs. Linnie Luker Daniel Mrs. Rochelle Morriss Davis Dr. Homer Alphonso Day Dr. Joseph J. Day Jr. Mrs. Marjorie Sellers Day Mrs. K Bene Deacon Mrs. Ann Harris De Hart Mrs. Betty McLendon DeMent Mr. Kirby S. Derrick IV Mr. Thomas Dignam and Mrs. Laverne Dignam Dr. David C. Diramio Mrs. Priscilla Gilmer Dixon Mr. Thomas R. Dixon Mrs. Faye Hicks Doane Mrs. Almena Fletcher Doss Ms. Dorothy Wilson Doten Dr. Teresa Taber Doughty Mr. Sylvester Van Dowdell Mrs. Sherida Hooke Downer Dr. James Bob Drake Ms. Kathryn R. Driscoll Ms. Jennifer Piccione Dugan Mrs. Betty Legg Dumas Mrs. Elise Petersen Dunbar Dr. Marla Hooper Dunham Mr. Matthew Scott Dunn Mrs. Julie F. Durrance Mrs. Gina Maria Eagerton Mrs. Barbara Ham Eilers Mr. John Russell Ellison Mrs. Patricia Roukema Evans Mr. James A. Everett Ms. Melissa Ann Ezell Mr. James R. Fagersten Mrs. Jodie Brantley Faith Mrs. Judith Jones Faris Mrs. Patricia S. Faulkenberry Dr. Richard Featherston III Dr. Thomas Fell and Mrs. Susan Fell Dr. Linda Felton-Smith Mr. Jonathan Matthew Finch Mr. John Arnold Fitzgerald Mr. John Henry Flathman Mrs. Elizabeth Fleming Mr. Wade H. Fleming Mrs. Ellen C. Flenniken Mrs. Margaret Dileo Flores Mrs. Brenda Hardman Forbus Ms. Leigh A. Forman Mr. Glenn Forrester and Mrs. Sylvia Forrester Capt. Marvin F. Forrester Ms. Ashley Michelle Forster Dr. Stephen Foster and Mrs. Joanna Foster Mrs. Elizabeth H. Garrett Ms. Joyce L. Garrett Mr. Ronald L. Garrett Mr. Phillip L. Garrison Dr. Henry Victor Gaston HR Dr. Rhonda Vinson Geddie Mr. Wayne Gibbons and Mrs. Anita Gibbons Ms. Amy Lora Giddens Mr. John W. Gilbert Mr. Thomas A. Glanton Mrs. Diane Schirmacher Glanzer Dr. John M. Goff Mr. Willis Marion Goolsby Mrs. Ann Clay Gordon Mrs. Becky J. Graham Mrs. Doris Jones Graves Dr. Harris R. Green Mrs. Lula Watson Green Mrs. Anna Holmes Greene Ms. Katherine W. Grego Ms. Mary Gigi Gregory Mrs. Sue W. Gresham Dr. Kathryn Uzzell Griffin Mrs. Virginia Horn Derby Grimes Mrs. Krystal A. Grizzard Mrs. Mary Chambers Gross HR Dr. Ann H. Guess Mrs. Sylvia Ballow Gullatt Ms. Elizabeth K. Guynn Mrs. Candis Hamilton Hacker Mrs. Jeffie Young Hage Mrs. Helen Johnson Hall Dr. Jane Nelson Hall Mr. Thomas Lynn Hall Mr. Lynwood Hector Hamilton Ms. Helen Frances Hanby Mrs. Wendy Kay Hanle Mrs. Kathleen Hart Hanofee Mrs. Jean L. Hanson Ms. Kathleen M. Hanson Dr. Jacqueline Terrill Harbison Dr. Martha Brown Harder Mrs. Jennifer Sims Hardison Mrs. Amy Peinhardt Harley Mr. Terry W. Harper Mr. Archie L. Harris Mrs. Beverly Smith Harris Mr. Gary Harris and Mrs. Diane Harris HR Mrs. Rosa Griffin Harris Dr. Thomas Earl Harrison Ms. Gwendolyn Elaine Hatcher Mrs. Mary Hunt Hayes Ms. Monica Lancaster Hayes Mrs. Cynthia H. Haygood Mrs. Theresa Defargee Haynes Mrs. Sue R. Hearn Mr. Larry Heisler and Mrs. Clara Heisler Ms. Ann Wynell Helms Ms. Brittany Karen Hemric Mrs. Linda Moore Henderson Dr. Mary Catherine Henderson Mrs. Susan Buck Herran Mrs. Sylvia Hickman Hess Mrs. Margaret Leach Hester Mrs. Carolyn Kerr Hickerson Mr. Roger Alan Hildebrandt Mrs. Sara Wade Hill Mrs. Holli Carter Hiltbrand Mr. Perry Hinds and Mrs. Susan Hinds Mrs. Linda Turner Hinson Dr. Nathan L. Hodges HR Mrs. Cathy H. Hoefert Mrs. Mary Shoffeitt Hoffman Mr. William Newton Hogg Mr. Lester Lee Holley Jr. Mr. Terry O’Neal Holloway Mrs. Kay Morris Holmes Dr. Barbara Jane Holt Mrs. Linda Wilson Holt Mrs. Kathryn Sansocie Hoppe Mr. & Mrs. Frank Hopson Mr. William Patrick Horton Mrs. Vicki Evans Hough Mrs. Patricia Shipman Hudson Mrs. Nancy F. Huey Mrs. Harriette H. Huggins Mrs. Betty T. Humphrey Ms. Jane H. Huntley Ms. Sandra Kaye Hutto Mrs. Jill Sprague Hyers Mrs. Peggy Kling Iber Mrs. Helen English Ingram Mrs. Kathleen Hogan Ingram Hon. Kenneth F. Ingram Dr. Teresa Singletary Irvin Mr. Charles Timothy Jackson Mrs. Suzanne Wiggins Jagar Dr. Kesha Mallory James Mr. Luther James and Mrs. Claudia James Col. David Johnson and Mrs. Penelope Johnson Dr. Harold Johnson and Mrs. Dorothy Johnson Ms. Rebecca Graves Johnson Mr. Carlton Richard Jones Dr. Don Jones and Mrs. Jennifer Jones Ms. Doris Jeanne Jones Mr. Kenneth Wade Jones Mr. Ron Jones and Mrs. Glenda Jones Mrs. Mary Tackett Keel Mr. Julian Keil and Mrs. Barbara Keil Mrs. Barbara McCrory Kelley Mrs. Kimberly Young Kelley Dr. Betty Harrison Kennedy Mr. Christopher S. Kennedy Mr. Scott Kennedy and Mrs. Patricia Kennedy Mrs. Erwin D. Key Mrs. Linda White Kieling Mrs. Jane Allison Kight Mrs. Catherine V. Killebrew Mrs. Melanie Davis King Mrs. Catherine P. Kirkpatrick Mr. Jerry Knight and Dr. Jane Knight Mrs. Lena Smith Knight Mrs. Kathy Twinem Krausse Mrs. Judy Liles LaFollette Dr. Donald Lambert and Mrs. Betty Lambert 1915 Mr. Joseph Lambert and Mrs. Jo Ann Lambert Mrs. Kathleen High Land Dr. Wright L. Lassiter Jr. HR Mrs. Carolyn Ennis Latham Mr. Othni Lathram and Mrs. Karen Lathram Mrs. Deborah Cottle Lawley Mrs. Gail Cartledge Laye Mrs. Katherine F. Leaver Mr. Sam F. Ledbetter Jr. Mr. Donald Ledford and Mrs. Rebecca Ledford Mr. Gregory Charles Lester Mrs. Mary Neill Lester Mrs. Carol Thompson Lewis Mr. Stephen Douglas Lindley Dr. Eddie T. Lindsey Mrs. Elizabeth M. Little Ms. Renee Denise Lloyd Mrs. Lela Melson Lofton Dr. Martha D. Long Mrs. Page Riley Loyd Ms. Ellen G. Lucy Dr. Cynthia Rolen Lumpkin Mrs. Jeanne Hall Lynch Mrs. Joann Henderson Malcolm Maj. Gen. Ted Mallory and Mrs. Alice Mallory Mrs. Sherry Nunn Manley Mr. D. Dale Mann Mrs. Marion Stuart Mann Mr. Steve Mann and Mrs. Jane Mann Mrs. Jennifer B. Marangos Mr. William Marley and Mrs. Vicki Marley Ms. Kimberly Irene Martin Dr. Wayne Gary Martin Mrs. Jan M. Mason Mrs. Lynda Prather Massey Dr. Linda Carolyn Mathews Mr. Robert Mayo and Mrs. Alice Mayo Mr. Melvin McAllister and Mrs. Jeanne McAllister Mrs. Jennifer Boissel McCain Mr. Fred McCallum and Mrs. Connie McCallum Mrs. Linda Kay P. McCartney Mrs. Marie Peeples McClure Key Contributors DC indicates a member of the Dean’s Circle 1915 indicates a member of the 1915 Society HR indicates an Honor Roll donor or honoree *deceased
Keystone Volume VII, 201062 Mr. Wallace McCord and Mrs. Elisabeth McCord Dr. Theresa Marie McCormick Dr. William T. McCown III Mr. Gary D. McCrory Mr. Benjamin McDaniel and Mrs. Lynn McDaniel Rev. Byron R. McEachern Mr. Y. Mark McElreath Mr. Larry McElroy and Mrs. Mary McElroy Mrs. Marianne B. McLemore Mrs. Terri A. McLemore Mrs. Anne Garrett McMahan Mrs. Mary Elizabeth McNair Mrs. Virginia P. McPheeters Mrs. Barbara P. Menifield Mrs. Barbara Burns Merrill Mrs. Judith Newman Meydrech Mr. Roy Gene Mezick Mr. Chipley Shaun Miller Mr. Christopher B. Miller Mrs. Marilyn Carlson Miller Rev. Donald R. Minton Dr. F. Joseph Mitchell Mrs. Deborah Horne Monroe Mrs. Stacy Burley Moore Mr. Sheldon L. Morgan Mr. Terry Morgan and Mrs. Helen Morgan Mr. Charles Morris and Mrs. Carolyn Morris Mr. David Morris and Mrs. Karla Morris Mrs. Regina Diane Moses Dr. George Moss and Mrs. Amy Moss Col. Chris Moulton and Mrs. Betty Moulton Mrs. Cindy W. Moushegian Mrs. Karen H. Mullins Mr. Michael Peeples Murphy Mrs. Nan Timmerman Nabors Dr. James Nave and Mrs. Janet Nave Mr. Harry E. Neff III Dr. Bobby Gene Neighbors Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough L.L.P. Mrs. Sandra M. Nesbitt Mrs. Dianne Kimbell Newman Mrs. Lu Anne Newton Mr. Thomas Hiliary Nicholas Mr. John David Nicholson Mrs. Dorothy S. Norris Mrs. Mary J. Norris Dr. Norma L. Norton Dr. Kevin T. O’Meara Mrs. Sarah Taylor O’Connor Mr. & Mrs. Russell Julius Olvera Ms. Robin Blevins O’Neal Mr. Bob Osborne Mr. Simeon Pace and Mrs. Paula Pace Dr. Norman Lewis Padgett Mrs. Joan T. Palestini Mrs. Rosalyn Ketchum Palmer Mrs. Emily Jones Parham Mrs. Amy Black Parker Mrs. Dorothy Crump Parker Mr. Howard Parker and Mrs. Pamelia Parker Mrs. Diane Taylor Parks Mrs. Jane Riddle Parks Mrs. Deborah Smith Pass Dr. Gordon D. Patterson Sr. Dr. Robin E. Pattillo Mrs. Susan McKay Peacock Mrs. Martha Woods Peake Mrs. Virginia Boyd Pearson Mr. Jack Pease and Mrs. Lloyd Pease Mrs. Gail Roberts Pellett Mr. Roderick Durand Perry Mrs. Sandra Watson Pettis Mrs. Leigh Farrar Pharr Mr. Brian John Phillip HR Mrs. Ann Peters Phillips Col. Walton Phillips and Mrs. Jean Phillips Mr. Thomas Piedmont and Mrs. June Piedmont Mr. James Edward Pierce Mrs. Jean Teresa Pittman Mrs. Rebecca Susan Pitts Mr. William Pollak and Mrs. Susan Pollak Ms. Sarah Cox Pope Mr. Shandy Hugh Porter Mrs. Elizabeth C. Powell Mrs. Judy Terry Powell Mr. Donald B. Powers Jr. Lt.Col. Jack W. Presson Lt.Col. Charles H. Pritchett Mrs. Erma Carlisle Proctor Mrs. Mayrelizbeth P. Pryor Mr. John David Puckett Mr. John Belton Ramage Ms. Donna Joy Ray Mr. Roy Redderson and Mrs. Rayanna Redderson Dr. Cynthia J. Reed Mrs. Susan Howes Retzlaff Dr. Douglas Wayne Reynolds Mrs. Janet Fox Rice Dr. Dutchie Sellers Riggsby Mr. Jason C. Riley Mr. Raymond Edward Ringer Mrs. Dorothy Risley Mrs. Caroline Hume Ristad Mrs. Pamala C. Roberts Dr. Robert Roberts and Mrs. Louise Roberts Mrs. Stephanie D. Roberts Dr. William Ladon Roberts Mrs. Jeanne S. Robertson Mrs. Katie Jones Robertson Mrs. Shannon D. Robertson Mrs. Patricia V. Robinson Mr. Robert W. Rogers Mr. Robert W. Rogers Jr. Dr. Bill Rogers and Mrs. Carole Rogers HR Dr. Donald O. Rooks Mr. Glen Rose and Mrs. Joan Rose Mrs. Tracie C. Rosencrance Mrs. Lisa Hoffman Ross Mrs. Kelley Ledbetter Rote Dr. Mark A. Rowicki Mrs. Mary Sumrall Roy Mr. Harry T. Salyer Jr. Mr. Robert L. Sanders Mrs. Pamela Gordon Sandlin Mr. James Sands and Mrs. Rebecca Sands Mr. Alfred Sanspree and Dr. Mary Sanspree Dr. C. Cayce Scarborough* Mrs. Shirley King Scarbrough Mr. Roger P. Schad Mrs. Elizabeth Hardy Schmitt Ms. Elizabeth Ann Scott Mr. Gregg Seigart and Mrs. Janice Seigart Mrs. Kay Richardson Selah Mr. Leslie Self and Mrs. Amy Self Mrs. Martha Jones Senkbeil Mr. Jeff Seymour and Mrs. Tracey Seymour Mrs. Maura Frances Shaffer Mrs. Elizabeth T. Sheppard Mrs. Carol Curtis Sheridan Mrs. Connie Lynn Shewchuk Dr. Jonghee Shim Mrs. Wanda Marie Shirley Mrs. Alisa Walker Shivers Mrs. Kathleen B. Shivers Mrs. Jennifer N. Shockley Ms. Sandra S. Sikes Mrs. Mary Nash Simpson Mrs. Ann Blizzard Sims Mr. Charles Skinner and Mrs. Margaret Skinner Mr. Kay Slayden and Mrs. Nancy Slayden Mrs. Patricia Myers Small Mr. Robert N. Smelley Mrs. Bonnie Lavonia Smith Mrs. Elizabeth Bagby Smith Mrs. Emily Sellers Smith Mrs. Emwynn Neal Smith Mr. Jeffery Kenneth Smith Dr. Mary Alice Smith Mrs. Mary Miller Smith Mrs. Susan C. Smith Mrs. Peggy C. Smitherman Mr. John Smyth and Mrs. Leigh Smyth Mrs. Jacqueline Lee Sneed Mrs. Elizabeth Byrd Soyars Mrs. Marsha Hampton Spain Mrs. Laura L. Spencer Ms. Jacquelin J. Spike Dr. Ernest Clayton Spivey Mrs. Janet W. Spruiell Mr. Leonard Stamps and Mrs. Martha Stamps Mrs. Gloria Cardwell Standard Mrs. Linda English Stanley Mr. Andrew Steele and Mrs. Susan Steele Mr. John Kenneth Stegall Ms. Susan Shahan Stelly Mr. Gerald Austin Stephens Mrs. Robbie Q. Stephenson Mrs. Helen Leverette Stewart Rev. Marcus Stewart and Mrs. Carolyn Stewart Mrs. RoseLyn G. Stone Mrs. Karen Long Stout Dr. Stephen Paul Stratton Mrs. Jane Paxton Street Mrs. Kathleen G. Strickland Dr. Marilyn E. Strutchens Mrs. Carra Caruso Summers Mr. Randall Harold Swann Mrs. Patricia H. Swecker Dr. Lavon Talley and Mrs. Valda Talley Mrs. Loren Waller Tanner Ms. Sonja Kim Taylor Dr. Wayne Teague and Mrs. Josephine Teague Dr. John Waits Teel Mr. Richard Tenhet and Mrs. Nancy Tenhet Mrs. Julie Hundley Terrell Mr. Calvin E. Thames Ms. Tamara Sasha Thomas Mr. Sam Thomason and Mrs. Suzanne Thomason Dr. Edwin Alfred Thompson Mr. Foy Campbell Thompson Mr. John McDermott Thompson Dr. Martha Williams Thompson Dr. Jan Dowdle Thornton Dr. Wilbur A. Tincher Jr. Mr. Elmo Torbert and Mrs. June Torbert* Mrs. Barbara S. Townsend Mrs. Mary Townsend Mrs. Martha Self Tredaway Mrs. Durelle Lamb Tuggle Mr. Michael Tullier and Mrs. Dianna Tullier HR Mrs. Debra Usry Turner Mrs. Susan Perry Turner Mrs. Toni Thompson Turpen Mr. David Tuszynski and Mrs. Sarah Tuszynski Mrs. Kristin Burkhalter Vance Mrs. Patricia Gill Van Laningham Mrs. Rhonda Burks Van Zandt Dr. Martha Hay Vardeman Mrs. Nancy Brown Veale Mrs. Jocelyn Wilcher Vickers Dr. Susan K. Villaume Mrs. Jan Christman Vowell Mrs. Janet Engel Wade Mrs. Leann Coker Walker Mr. William Forrest Walker Mrs. Jean Cash Wallace Mrs. Martha M. Wallace Mr. William Wallingsford Mrs. Leah Hubbard Walton Mr. James Ward and Mrs. Sherry Ward Ms. Nancy Wood Ward Dr. Douglas Delano Warren Mrs. Virginia Barnett Warren Mrs. Mary Jo Wasson Ms. Michele F. Waters Mrs. Jacqueline H. Watkins Mr. & Mrs. Joel Colley Watson Dr. Jacquelynn Wattenbarger Mrs. Marilyn A. Watts Mrs. Elizabeth Mason Wayne Mrs. Giscene Rister Weaver Dr. Harry Weaver and Mrs. Sarah Weaver Mrs. Lucy Hargrove Weigle Mr. Bobby Welch and Mrs. Geraldine Welch Mr. Rob Wellbaum and Mrs. Christine Wellbaum Mrs. Barbara W. Whatley Dr. W. Mabrey Whetstone HR Mrs. Jaime Burton White Ms. Marilyn L. Whitley Mr. Donald Earl Whitlock Mrs. Susan Dryden Whitson HR Mrs. Catherine Laing Wike Mrs. Melissa Bearden Wilber Dr. Ellen Waller Wiley Mr. David Wilkins and Mrs. Susan Wilkins Mrs. Carol S. Williams Mr. Knox Williams and Mrs. Jean Williams 1915 Mr. James H. Williams Dr. Jerry Frank Williams Mrs. Regilynn Williams Ms. Jane Kerr Williamson Mrs. Joy Daniel Wilson Mrs. Vickie Mayton Wilson Mrs. Carolyn Sutton Wingard Mrs. Mary Whitlock Winkler Mrs. S. Lynn C. Wolfe Mrs. Susan Long Womack Mrs. Evelyn Smith Wood Mr. Jerome Wood and Mrs. Linda Wood Mr. Marvin R. Woodall III Dr. Shirley H. Woodie Mr. Shelton Woodson and Mrs. Barbara Woodson Mrs. Emily Corcoran Woste Mrs. Beth Morgan Wright Ms. Janice Marie Wright Mrs. Jeanette Milton Wyrick Mr. David Boyd Yates Dr. Linda Snow Yates-Williams Mrs. Marty King Young Mrs. Marie M. Zaminer Mr. Chris Zodrow and Mrs. Catherine Zodrow HR Mrs. Kathy Zoghby DC indicates a member of the Dean’s Circle 1915 indicates a member of the 1915 Society HR indicates an Honor Roll donor or honoree *deceased
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 63 William “Bill” Langley ’63 believes in the concept of education as a gift that keeps on giving. His belief is so strong, in fact, that he used last Christmas to give the gift of educational oppor- tunities to others. Langley made a donation to the College of Education in each of his children’s names. “The thought occurred to me that there are students who need money to complete their educations who are deserving [of sup- port],’’ said Langley, a member of the College of Education National Advisory Council’s executive committee. “It occurred to me that this would be a wonderful way to honor our children as well, to make a donation to the College of Education for scholarship purposes. That’s what we did this past year and that’s something we will be doing [in the future],’’ Langley added. “We could help bring more scholarship money into the college and it would be of great help to those students who need it.’’ Langley, a member of the college’s Dean’s Circle and a contribu- tor to its Honor Roll, drew inspiration from his son-in-law, ESPN broadcaster Rece Davis. Years ago, when a charitable fund was set up to help defray the medical expenses of a co-worker’s son, Davis made donations in the names of Langley and his wife, Sharon. Langley, a Columbus, Ga., entrepreneur who owns Sidewinder, Inc., said he and his family have made similar gestures each Christmas. “We don’t give gifts anymore,’’ he said. “We make a gift in their name to some charitable cause. [The College of Education] cer- tainly serves the purpose of being a worthwhile cause.’’ The selflessness exhibited by Langley and so many other friends of the College of Education has made a difference in the lives of many students. Before he commanded a tank in the First Armored Division during the Korean War, Dr. Maxwell King ’50 commanded a class- room in his hometown of Fort Pierce, Fla. He did the job so well, in fact, that his students wouldn’t let him leave for his military training without a fight. “The kids went down to the local sheriff and said, ‘We don’t want Mr. King to leave, can you arrest him?’,’’ recalled King, who gradu- ated from Auburn with a degree in general education. “That didn’t last but for about 15 minutes.’’ King’s ability to touch students has remained a constant, how- ever. He committed himself to an academic career after his military service, earning a master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Florida and completing postdoctoral studies at the University of Texas. His passion for learning led to a career in education adminis- tration as the founding president at Indian River (Fla.) Community College and as president of Brevard (Fla.) Community College. He served in the latter role for 30 years, retiring in 1998. No matter where he worked or in what capacity, however, King has lived The Auburn Creed. One of the ways he has chosen to demonstrate his belief in education and in the human touch is by investing in the College of Education’s students. He established the Dr. Maxwell C. King Annual Scholarship in 2006 to support students in the college’s teacher education pro- grams. King said his motivations for creating scholarship opportu- nities were shaped long before he charted a career course that in- cluded stints as a classroom teacher, coach, school principal and college president. “I believe in treating people right and I learned a lot of that at Auburn,’’ King said. Football brought King to Auburn and it kept him there even after he suffered a ca- reer-ending injury. Growing up in a family with modest means, King readily accepted a football scholarship offer from Auburn and got off to a fast start with the freshman team in 1946. During his first game, after being ridden to the turf following a long run, King sustained a broken collar bone. During his next season, he started off strong before suffering a knee injury that effectively ended his football career. King put down his helmet and picked up a new role, treating injuries rather than risking them. “The coaches kept me on scholarship and I worked as a trainer for the last two years,’’ King said. “They were real good to me. They didn’t have to keep me [on scholarship], but the coaches felt like I had something to offer and I needed the education. I’m sure that motivated me to always help people where I can.’’ King and his wife, Doris, have certainly been known for their willingness to give to others. A performing arts center in Mel- bourne, Fla., bears King’s name because of his tireless work devoted to bringing a fine arts center to the community. Langley family spreading holiday cheer with education gifts King ’50 believes in College of Education students “It occurred to me that this would be a wonderful way to honor our children as well, to make a donation to the College of Education for scholarship purposes.’’ William “Bill’’ Langley ’63
Keystone Volume VII, 201064 1951 Jesse Blakely [B, general education] is chief supervi- sor at Dupont’s Savannah River Plant in Aiken, S.C. 1952 Eugene Guazzo [B, gen- eral education], who later earned a medical degree from Duke University in 1965, retired from rural medical practice in 2008 and has began substitute teaching in St. Mary’s County (Md.) Public Schools. 1961 Nancy Gause Becker [B, business education] is a computer applications business teacher at Vestavia Hills (Ala.) High School. 1964 Elizabeth “Libba” Hunter Russell [B, social science education], of Columbus, Ga., was appointed to a three-year term of service on the Auburn Univer- sity College of Education’s National Advisory Council, beginning August 2010. She is a retired educator. 1966 Rick Wood [B, exercise science] retired in 2006 after teaching and coaching for 40 years in Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and North Carolina. He currently serves on the Henderson County (N.C.) Board of Education. 1968 Nancy Callaway Dunn [B, general education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certi- fied Teachers in 2009. She teaches English language arts in the Fairbanks Local Schools system in Milford Center, Ohio. Timothy Opal Alford [B, social science education; M, educational adminis- tration and supervision, 1972; D, administration of elementary and secondary education, 1985] was ap- pointed executive director of the newly instituted Alabama Construction Recruitment Institute, created by an act of the Alabama Legislature as part of the Alabama Workforce Development Initiative. It seeks to enhance the image of skilled construc- tion workers and provide recruitment and training opportunities throughout Alabama. Alford, a member of the college’s National Advisory Council since 2006, had held several local and statewide public service positions in his career, including director of the Alabama State Office of Workforce Develop- ment, mayor of Enterprise, and executive director of the Enterprise Economic Development Corporation. His educational service in- cludes dean of development for Enterprise State Junior College, and city schools assistant superintendent and superintendent, princi- pal and secondary teacher. 1970 Elizabeth “Beth” Grego- ry St. Jean [B, elementary education; M, education, 1973], of Marietta, Ga., was named to a three-year term on the Auburn Univer- sity College of Education’s National Advisory Council, beginning August 2010. She is the supervisor of the Georgia Teacher Alterna- tive Preparation Program. 1971 Rebecca Kirkland Garner [B, elementary education] is retired yet teaching part- time with Duval County (Fla.) Schools. Kyo “Paul” Jhin [D, mathematics education] was among the princi- pal signers of an August 2009 memorandum of understanding between the United Nations’ Office of Partnerships and Informa- tion Technology Corps. Jhin, signing as CEO of the Information Technol- ogy Corps, was joined by Amir Dossal, executive director of the UN Office of Partnerships. The partner- ship will improve access to information communica- tions technology and edu- cational opportunities for underprivileged students in developing countries by providing thousands of new and refurbished computers. 1972 Mary Margaret Kite Fer- guson [B, elementary edu- cation] is a reading coach with Montgomery County (Ala.) Public Schools. 1973 Patricia Lord Chandler [B, business education] was named a 2009 FamilyTime Woman of Achievement by the FamilyTime Crisis and Counseling Center in Humble, Texas, for making a significant difference in the community through her selfless acts of service and generous contributions of time. Chandler, program manager for Continuing Education at Lone Star College-Kingwood (Texas), leads the college’s Academy for Lifelong Learning — a program providing classes and activities for senior citizens age 50 or older. Mary Virginia “Ginger” Parker Johnson [B, elementary education] is a kindergarten teacher with Macon-East Montgomery Academy in Cecil, Ala. Legend B: bachelor’s (B.S./BMED) M: master’s (M.S./M.Ed.) D: doctorate (Ph.D./Ed.D.) Let us know what’s happening in your life! Submit your news, as well as updates to your contact information by clicking the online update button on the home page of education.auburn.edu.
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 65A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 65 Alumni Spotlight Bice ’77 earns UCEA educational leadership award Although Dr. Tommy Bice ’77 has served as Ala- bama’s deputy superintendent of education for instruc- tional services for less than two years, his commitment to solidifying leadership and evaluation in the state and to realizing the potential of such programs as the Alabama Reading Initiative and Alabama Math, Science, and Tech- nology Initiative hasn’t gone unnoticed by K-20 educators. Bice, a two-time graduate of the College of Education, received the 2009 University Council for Education Administration’s Excellence in Educational Leadership Award. Bice, who studied mental retardation while at Auburn, joined the Alabama Department of Education in 2008. His responsibilities include oversight of curricu- lum and instruction, assessment and accountability, federal programs, prevention and support services, information systems, special education, instructional leader- ship and evaluation, the Alabama Reading Initiative and the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative. Before serving as a local school superintendent and high school principal, Bice gained experience in a broad assortment of categories. He also worked as a special edu- cation teacher, psychometrist, career technical director and alternative school director. While a local school superintendent for Alexander City (Ala.) Schools, he served as an adjunct professor in the College of Education. He has also served as the state president of the Alabama Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and as president- elect of the School Superintendents of Alabama. 1974 Patricia Smith Faulken- berry [B, speech com- munication] is a Realtor with RE/MAX of Orange Beach working out of its Perdido Key, Fla., office and licensed in both Alabama and Florida. Vicki Harrell Formby [B, elementary education] retired in May 2007 from Ohatchee (Ala.) Elemen- tary School after 33 years in education. Penelope Davis Johnson [B, general education] retired from teach- ing after 27 years in the U.S. and overseas with the U.S. Department of Defense. She now works as a Realtor with Coldwell Banker A&W Real Estate in Auburn, Ala. Cathy Hobbs Long [voca- tional and adult education: B, 1974; D, 1983; M, educa- tion, 1975] will retire as principal of Auburn (Ala.) High School, effective August 1, 2010. She joined the school’s faculty in the 1990s as assistant principal, served as interim principal, and has served the past six years as principal. Melanie Martin Stover [B, mental retardation] is a Realtor with Realty South/ Oneonta in Oneonta, Ala. Brenda Forman Weile [B, secondary social science education] is an indepen- dent sales representative for Avon in Greensboro, N.C. 1975 Katherine Oliver Discher [B, speech/theatre educa- tion] is a senior mortgage broker with Envoy Mort- gage Inc. in Macon, Ga. Wright Lassiter Jr. [D, administration of higher education] completed a three-year term on the Auburn’s College of Educa- tion’s National Advisory Council in March 2010. He is chancellor of the Dallas County (Texas) Commu- nity College District. 1976 Mary Phillips Fenney [B, speech communication education] is the accredita- tion coordinator and de- velopment assistant for St. John Newmann Regional Catholic School in Lilburn, Ga. She recently coordi- nated the dual accreditation self-study for the Southern Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SAIS-SACS) for her school. She has worked for the Archdiocese of Atlanta for 10 years. Patsy Nix Hunter [B, spe- cial education] is a teacher at Longwood Elementary School in Shalimar, Fla. James “Lee” Perrett [B, secondary education] is a senior vice president with Tyler and Company, an Atlanta-based firm special- izing in healthcare and life science executive search. Anthony Gerard Pi- azza [B, exceptional children] teaches middle school in Gwinnett County Public Schools in Suwanee, Ga. His career spans more than 30 years and includes a master’s in guidance and counsel- ing from the University of Alabama, and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Alabama Birmingham. Debbie Nichols Smalley [B, music education], along with husband and area pe- diatrician Dr. David Smal- ley, were named citizens of the year by the Auburn (Ala.) Rotary Club. Rotary recognized the couple’s love for children through their community service, charity work and work as foster and adoptive parents. The award is the club’s most prestigious honor, presented to citizens in the community who have truly made a difference and exemplified Rotary’s motto “service above self.” Dr.
Keystone Volume VII, 201066 Smalley is a 1976 Auburn graduate with a bachelor’s in accountancy. Carol S. Williams [B, elementary education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certified Teachers in 2009. She teaches second grade at Vestavia Hills’ (Ala.) Liberty Park Elementary School. 1977 Karen Brown Dennis [B, English language arts education] is an English teacher at Trinity Presbyte- rian School in Montgom- ery, Ala. 1978 Laurel Harbour Bertram [B, early childhood educa- tion] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certified Teachers in 2009. She is a generalist/early childhood teacher in the Birmingham (Ala.) City Schools system. Jenney Jones Crenshaw [B, social science educa- tion] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certified Teachers in 2009. She works in library media in Buncombe County (N.C.) Schools. Mary Montgomery [men- tal retardation: B, 1978; M, 1981] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certified Teachers in 2009. She is an exceptional needs specialist in Marion County (Fla.) Schools. Linda Woodby Sears [B, social science education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certified Teachers in 2009. She works in library media in the Shelby County (Ala.) school system. Marie McCann Zaminer [B, speech pathology, 1978; M, audiology, 1979] is a speech-language patholo- gist in the Woonsocket (R.I.) Education Dept. 1979 Howard “Pat” Garner Jr. [B, recreation administra- tion] is teaching in Mont- gomery, Ala., where he is also involved with LBA Properties, Nolan Research and DuVita. Jennifer Jarvis [B, health, physical education and recreation] was named di- rector of Auburn’s Campus Recreation program in July 2009. A 28-year veteran of Campus Recreation, she was previously director of recreational facilities since 1989. She had directed Campus Recreation on an interim basis for 17 months before her permanent ap- pointment. She oversees the construction of the new Student Recreation Center, as well as current campus recreational facilities, intra- mural sports, club sports and the Lifetime Wellness and Fitness Programs. Helen Harris Wagner [B, speech pathology] is a speech-language patholo- gist at Saks Elementary School in Anniston, Ala. 1980 Nancy Weeks Chandler [M, mathematics educa- tion; D, education, 1990] was named president of the Enterprise-Ozark Community College by the Alabama State Board of Education in May 2009. She had served as interim president for nearly a year before becoming EOCC’s first female president. Angela Jones Garner [B, elementary education] is teaching at Flowers Elementary School in Montgomery, Ala. Henry Victor Gaston [D, administration of higher education] completed a three-year term on the Auburn University College of Education National Advisory Council in March 2010. A resident of Mobile, Ala., Gaston has been a state representative in the Alabama House of Representatives, serving the state’s 100th District. 1981 William Clayton Cox [B, health, physical education and recreation] is adminis- trator of Beckwood Manor Inc. in Anniston, Ala. 1982 Connie Casaday Carpen- ter [B, early childhood education] is a teacher in Russell County (Ala.) Schools. Elizabeth “Besty” Leer Gore [B, exercise science; M, biology education, 2009] joined the faculty of Opelika (Ala.) High School in August 2009. Vivian Hardwick Miller [B, home economics educa- tion] is an information technology specialist with the Business Outreach Cen- ter in Auburn University’s College of Business. 1983 Sharon Smith Howard [B, health, physical educa- tion and recreation] is director of children and family ministries at Moun- tain Brook Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala. Elizabeth Byrd Soyars [B, speech pathology] is a special education teacher at McNeill Elementary School, part of the Bowling Green (Ky.) Independent Schools system. 1985 Carol Leigh McArdle [B, elementary education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certified Teachers in 2009. She teaches mathematics in Jefferson County (Ala.) Schools. 1986 Stephan Bryan Barnes [elementary education: B, 1986; M, 1990] was named 2009-10 teacher of the year at Jeter Primary School in Opelika, Ala. Merri Lynn Gregory [B, early childhood education] was named 2009-10 teacher of the year by Lee County (Ala.) Schools’ Beulah Elementary School, where she teaches fourth grade. Beth Depreast Newman [B, secondary education] is a guidance counselor with Decatur (Ala.) City Schools. Leah Huddleston Reid [B, English language arts education] is a teacher at Decatur (Ala.) Heritage Christian Academy. Cathy Brooks Reynolds [B, marketing education] is a travel agent and owner of Shelby Travel in Maylene, Ala. 1987 DeKoslin Cook Robinson [B, distributive education] is a counselor with Phenix City (Ala.) Schools. 1988 Maxine Casey [B, early childhood education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certi- fied Teachers in 2009. She is a business education teacher at Monroe County (Ala.) High School Emily Spaulding Pharez [B, exercise science] was the 2007 National Associa- tion of Sport and Physical Education’s (NASPE) na- tional middle school physi- cal education teacher of the year. She was selected in 2006 as Alabama’s nominee, then selected from among 13 Southeastern states as the Southern District teacher of the year. As the NASPE teacher of the year, Pharez traveled throughout the U.S., and continues to as a result of this honor. Marilyn McCoy Player [M, rehabilitation and special education; M, ad- ministration of elementary and secondary education, 2009] joined the faculty of Auburn (Ala.) Junior High School in August 2009. 1989 Jimmy Black [B, agri- cultural education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certi- fied Teachers in 2009. He is a career and technical education teacher in the Laurence County (Ala.) school system. Amy Cameron Fidis [B, ex- ercise science] is a teacher’s assistant at Black Mountain (N.C.) Primary School. Jennifer Leigh Register Taylor [B, early childhood education] is an educator and online instructor with Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz. Linda Faye Thomas [B, business education] is a business marketing teacher at the Chambers County Career Technical Center in Lafayette, Ala. Legend B: bachelor’s (B.S./BMED) M: master’s (M.S./M.Ed.) D: doctorate (Ph.D./Ed.D.)
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 67 Alumni notes Alumni Spotlight Austin ’86 appointed to direct Joint Chiefs office Lt. Gen. Lloyd James Austin III, a 1986 counselor education graduate, was appointed in August 2009 as director of the Joint Staff, following recommendations by the chair- man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the U.S. secretary of defense, and confirmation by the U.S. Senate. As director, Austin, a three-star general, assists the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by managing the office, which includes an equal number of Army, Naval, Marine Corps and Air Force officers who assist the chairman with the unified strategic direction, operation and integration of U.S. military forces. Austin was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry in June 1975, from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. His 35-year military career includes command of the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg from December 2006 until February 2008, when he became the second-highest ranking commander in Iraq and took command of the Multinational Corps-Iraq and directed operations of about 152,000 joint and coalition forces in all sectors of Iraq. He returned to his Fort Bragg command in April 2009 until his Joint Staff appointment later that year. Besides his degree from Auburn and extensive military education, he holds a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Military Academy and a master’s in business management from Webster University (St. Louis, Mo.).   His extensive list of awards and decorations for distinguished service and heroism includes the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal. Lt. Gen. Austin’s wife, Charlene, is a fellow Auburn graduate, having earned a master’s in school counseling in 1985. 1990 Suzette Stone Davidson [B, English language arts education] joined the fac- ulty of Auburn (Ala.) High School in August 2009. Shannon Pass [B, early childhood education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certi- fied Teachers in 2009. She teaches reading and lan- guage arts in the Birming- ham (Ala.) City Schools Jenny Hardy [early child- hood education: B, 1990; M, 1995] joined the faculty of Ogletree Elementary School in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. Rebecca Burford Malone [B, elementary education] is assistant headmaster and English teacher at Wilcox Academy in Camden, Ala. 1991 Nancy Smith Crutchfield [early childhood educa- tion: B, 1991; M, 1993] was among Alabama’s 2008-09 Teacher of the Year “Sweet 16” finalists after first being named Auburn (Ala.) City Schools’ 2008-09 elemen- tary teacher of the year, and Ogletree Elementary School’s 2008-09 teacher of the year. She teaches second grade. 1992 Alana K. Archer [B, mental retardation] is a special education teacher with Albertville (Ala.) City Schools. Diana Breeze Gibbs [elementary education: B, 1992; M, 1996] joined the faculty of Ogletree Elemen- tary School in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. Emily Coats Lambert [elementary education: B, 1992; M, 1993] teaches at Central High School in Florence, Ala. Susan Skala Ryals [M, rehabilitation and special education] joined the fac- ulty of Southview Primary School in Opelika, Ala., in August 2009. 1993 Cristen Herring [elemen- tary education: B, 1993; M, 1994] was named associate superintendent of Auburn (Ala.) City Schools, ef- fective June 1, 2010. She began with the school sys- tem in 1993, and has been principal of both Ogletree Elementary and Auburn Early Education Center, as well as her most recent assignment as the system’s elementary curriculum director. Gregory “Scott” Berry [M, music education] has opened his solo law prac- tice in Scottsboro, Ala. 1994 Debbie Sue Donaho [B, elementary education, 1994; M, early childhood education, 1996] is a special education teacher in Bro- ward County (Fla.) Public Schools. Kathryn “Katie” Pattillo Fisher [administration of higher education: M, 1994; D, 1998] was named dean of students at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, N.C. The university is a co-ed institution with an enroll- ment of about 1,675. Todd Freeman [M, social science education] was in January 2010 appointed as principal of Auburn (Ala.) High School, effective July 1. He has served for six years as executive director of operations and adminis- trative services for Auburn City Schools. He taught social science at Auburn High School for 10 years before his central office appointment. Kimberly Wheaton [B, elementary education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certi- fied Teachers in 2009. She teaches reading and lan- guage arts in the Broward (Fla.) school system. 1995 Matthew Shane Kendrick [B, general social science education] was named assistant principal of Lee County (Ala.) Schools’ Wacoochee Junior High School in July 2009. Roderick Perry [B, health promotion; M, administra- tion of higher education, 1998], was named to a three-year term on the Auburn University College of Education’s National Advisory Council, begin- ning August 2010. He is senior associate athletic director and director of administration for Wright State University’s Athletics Department in Dayton, Ohio. 1996 Beverly Ginn Adams [early childhood special education: B, 1996; M,
Keystone Volume VII, 201068 Having nearly completed her first year as Kentucky State University’s director of athlet- ics, Dr. Denisha Hendricks ’01 qualifies as a trailblazer in her field. Hendricks accepted the Kentucky State job when she was 30, becoming the youngest athletic director in school history. She said her social and educational experiences at Auburn helped shape her deci- sion to pursue a career in athletic administration. “Growing up in Auburn, athletics has always been a major part of my life,’’ said Hendricks, an Auburn native whose mother, Dr. Con- stance Smith Hendricks, is a professor in Auburn’s School of Nursing. “Initially I pursued a career in athletic training, but soon discovered I could affect change more if I had a seat in the boardroom. “Auburn helped shape my philosophy about athletics, education and administration. I learned how an athletic department should be run, how an administrator should act and how to make careful and well researched timely decisions. ... The education I received at Auburn prepared me greatly for all that I have experienced thus far and I am certain I am well prepared for the future.” Hendricks, who earned master’s and doctoral degrees in higher educa- tion administration from Auburn in 2001 and 2004, respectively, leads a department that offers 13 varsity sports. The Kentucky State Thorobreds, members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, compete in football, baseball, softball, golf, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field. Before going to Kentucky State, Hendricks served as senior women’s administrator and assistant director of athletics for internal operations at North Carolina’s Johnson C. Smith University. Alumni Spotlight Hendricks sits tall in saddle with Thorobreds 1998] is an early childhood special education teacher at Auburn (Ala.) Early Educa- tion Center. Kimberly Epperson [early childhood education: B, 1996; M, 1997] joined the faculty of Opelika (Ala.) High School in August 2009. Adam Kelley [M, elemen- tary education] is manager of corporate communica- tions for Children’s Health System in Birmingham, Ala. He recently con- cluded his term as 2009 president of the Southern Public Relations Federa- tion, a regional network of more than 1,300 public relations professionals from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle. Lori Wheeles McCain [B, health promotion] is a licensed physical therapist assistant at Clay County Hospital in Ashland, Ala. 1997 Laura Sargeant Brown [elementary education: B, 1997; M, 2000] was named 2009-10 teacher of the year at Auburn (Ala.) City Schools’ Wrights Mill Road Elementary School, where she teaches third grade. Sandy Smith Dean [B, early childhood educa- tion] is a teacher with Clay County (Ala.) Schools in Ashland, Ala. Jeremy Fischer [D, educational psychology] is director of public and institutional banking with RBC Bank in Granite Falls, N.C. Jerlando F.L. Jack- son [M, ad- ministration of higher education] published his third book, Ethnic and Racial Admin- istrative Diversity: Understand- ing Work Life Realities and Experi- ences in Higher Education (Jossey- Bass), in late 2009. He is an associate professor of higher and postsecondary education in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, faculty associate for the Wisconsin Center for the Advancement of Postsecondary Education, and faculty affiliate in the Weinert Center for En- trepreneurship (School of Business) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Joseph Schmitt [B, mathematics education] is a mathematics teacher at Selinsgrove (Pa.) Area High School. Thomas Patrick Taylor [B, physical education], of Charlotte, N.C., was appointed to a three- year term on the Auburn University College of Education’s National Advisory Council, begin- ning August 2010. He is an account director with GMR Marketing. Natalie Lynn Ware [B, elementary education] teaches in Bay District Schools in Panama City, Fla. 1998 Jenna Ledsinger Chap- man [B, elementary education] now teaches fifth-grade mathematics at Dean Road Elementary School in Auburn, Ala. Heather Donoghue Duewer [M, rehabilitation and special education] is a S.C.O.R.E.S. teacher in the Austin (Texas) Independent School District’s Paredes Middle School Robert Pritchett II [B, social science education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certi- fied Teachers in 2009. He teaches social sciences in the Jackson County (Ala.) school system. Lori Parish St. Onge [exercise science: B, 1998; D, 2008], of Enterprise, Ala., was named as the Auburn University College of Education’s representa- tive to Auburn’s Research Advisory Board in the university’s Office of the Vice President for Re- search. She is the research administration manager at the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory at Ft. Rucker. 1999 Chris Haon [B, elementary education] is a head coach in the Cobb County (Ga.) Schools system. Rebecca McConnell Loiacano [health promo- tions: B, 1999; M, 2001] is a physical therapist with Lee Memorial Health System in Ft. Myers, Fla. She received her doctorate in physical
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 69 therapy from Sage College (Albany, N.Y.). Roger Charles Reetz Jr. [B, elementary educa- tion] was named 2009-10 secondary teacher of the year by Baldwin County (Ala.) Schools after also being named teacher of the year at Gulf Shores (Ala.) Middle School, where he teaches seventh grade regu- lar and advanced math and journalism. In March 2010, he was among the “Sweet 16” finalists for Alabama’s 2010-11 teacher of the year award. He was selected from among 132 applicants for the final round. 2000 Devon Bonds Gess [B, music education] is a cho- ral director in Bay Village (Ohio) City Schools. She has been teaching at Bay High School for more than seven years, with more than nine years of total teaching experience. Deanna Faith Marshall [music education: B, 2000; M, 2004] was named Auburn (Ala.) City School’s 2009-10 secondary teacher of the year, as well as 2009-10 teacher of the year at Drake Middle School, where she is the school’s band director. Rebekah Maples Palys [B, elementary education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certified Teachers in 2009. She teaches reading and language arts in Arab (Ala.) City Schools. Kimberly Rheinbolt Shabo [B, early child- hood education] is a special education teacher in Montgomery (Ala.) Public Schools. Michelle Brown Ste- phens [M, community agency counseling] is a learning support coordina- tor with Rockdale County Public Schools in Conyers, Ga. Kristen Thompson [B, elementary education] is the owner and director the Kennesaw (Ga.) Learn- ingRx Cognitive Skills Training Center, which provides one-on-one cogni- tive training for children and adults. Gretchen Ojard Viking- son [M, general science education] is a teacher in Atlanta (Ga.) Public Schools. 2001 Deborah Troha Reetz [elementary education: B, 2001; M, 2004; EdS, 2005] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certi- fied Teachers in 2009. She is a reading coach at Auburn (Ala.) City Schools’ Rich- land Elementary School. Anita Bryan Salinas [M, biology education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certified Teachers in 2009. She teaches science in the Mobile County (Ala.) school system. Leslie Respress Sellers [business education: B, 2001; M, 2004] is a busi- ness/marketing teacher with Vestavia Hills (Ala.) High School. She is among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certified Teachers in 2009. 2002 Katrice Albert [D, coun- seling psychology] com- pleted a three-year term on the Auburn Univer- sity College of Education’s National Advisory Council in March 2010. She is vice provost for equity, diversity and community outreach at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Albert and her staff were recently awarded the 2009 Racial Justice Award by the YWCA of Greater Baton Rouge. The award is presented for exceptional contributions toward the elimination of racism. April Brock [general social science education: B, 2002; M, 2008] was named 2009-10 teacher of the year at Opelika (Ala.) Middle School. Heather Ann Clark [B, rehabilitation and special education] joined the Mor- ris Avenue Intermediate School faculty in Opelika, Ala., in August 2009. Mark Russell Gullion [B, early childhood education] was named principal of Cedar Grove Elementary School (Smyrna, Tenn.) in August 2009. Brent Leitsch [B, gen- eral science education] is a physics teacher at Mill Creek High School in Hoschton, Ga., part of Gwinnett County (Ga.) Public Schools. Mitzi Wise [early child- hood education: B, 2002; M, 2003] was named 2009- 10 teacher of the year by Lee County (Ala.) Schools’ Beauregard Elementary School, where she teaches fourth grade. 2003 Sarah Bethany Bice [elementary education: B, Legend B: bachelor’s (B.S./BMED) M: master’s (M.S./M.Ed.) D: doctorate (Ph.D./Ed.D.) w w w. a u a l u m . o r g / j o i n War Eagle! Your alumni association is a group of more than 45,000 Auburn alum- ni, friends and family who support Auburn University. This active associa- tion offers something for everyone! Last year we entertained 600,000 visitors to our Web site and reached 15,000 people through our Auburn Club Program. We distributed more than 230 scholarships to students and faculty, and served more than 9,000 hot dogs at our Alumni Hospitality Tent before home football games. Nearly 200 alumni and friends chose to vacation with us last year, and we sold nearly 1000 authentic Toomer’s Corner bricks for scholarships. We invite you to join one of the strongest alumni associations in the nation.
Keystone Volume VII, 201070 2004; M, 2006] is a kinder- garten teacher with Cobb County (Ga.) Schools. Cynthia Collier Crad- dock [B, physical educa- tion; M, school counseling, 2003] joined the faculty of Auburn (Ala.) High School in August 2009. Michelle King Doniphan [M, elementary education] is in her third year teach- ing in Cobb County (Ga.) Schools and is currently teaching third grade at Sope Creek Elementary in Marietta. James Edwards [B, elementary education] is a teacher and coach with Dekalb County (Ala.) Schools. Julie Whittaker Hen- thorne [collaborative teacher special education: B, 2003; M, 2004] joined the faculty of Drake Middle School in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. 2004 Lyndsey Estes [B, exercise science] has been a pediat- ric occupational therapist with Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton, Ga., for three years. With the center’s speech therapist, she started an outpatient pediatric program two years ago, and together they now manage a case load of 20-30 children with various diagnoses, includ- ing autism, developmental delays, cerebral palsy and fine motor delays. Valerie Lunceford Gilmore [B, early child- hood education; M, reading education, 2008] was named 2009-10 teacher of the year at Auburn (Ala.) City Schools’ Auburn Early Education Center, where she teaches kindergarten. Heather Helms Lynn [B, exercise science] is a medical records clerk with Auburn University’s Large Animal Clinic. Kristin Acuff May [B, early childhood educa- tion] joined the faculty of Auburn Early Education Center in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. Amberlyn Frances Scott [B, early childhood education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certified Teachers in 2009. She teaches in the St. Clair County (Ala.) school system. 2005 Nichole Baugh [D, reading education] is a teacher at Double Churches Elementary School in Columbus, Ga. FSirena Camagna Brock [B, elementary education] is teaching first grade at Cedarcrest-Southmoor El- ementary School in Baton Rouge, La. H. Gray Broughton [M, rehabilitation services], of Richmond, Va., was appointed to a three-year term on the Auburn Uni- versity College of Educa- tion’s National Advisory Council, beginning August 2010. He is CEO and vocational rehabilitation counselor of Broughton Associates Inc. Susan Franklin [M, col- laborative teacher special education] joined the fac- ulty of Auburn Early Edu- cation Center in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. Stephanie Bearden Lee [B, English language arts education] teaches seventh- grade English in the Lee County (Ala.) Schools system. Elisha Henry Martin [B, elementary education] teaches second grade in Ro- anoke (Ala.) City Schools’ Knight Elementary School. She is also pursuing a master’s in instructional leadership in Auburn’s Col- lege of Education. FAmber Wright [B, ele- mentary education] teaches fourth grade at Daniel Pratt Elementary School in Prat- tville, Ala. 2006 Kelli Tuck Barnes [M, collaborative teacher spe- cial education] is teaching first grade special education at Smiths Station (Ala.) Primary School. FCasey Breslin [exercise science: M, 2006; D, 2009] was appointed as a lecturer in Towson (Md.) Univer- sity’s Department of Kinesi- ology, after completing her doctorate in kinesiology in Auburn’s College of Educa- tion in December 2009. Karibi Dede [B, collabora- tive teacher special educa- tion] joined the faculty of Auburn (Ala.) High School in August 2009. FElizabeth Hobbs Hath- cock [B, health promo- tion] is a fitness specialist at Healthplus Fitness in Auburn, Ala. Jennifer Lilly [B, early childhood education], was named 2009-10 teacher of the year at Carver Primary School in Opelika, Ala. Alesia Bradley Schulz [B, English language arts education] works for the Tennessee Titans, where she is an executive assistant to the executive vice presi- dent and general manager. Barry Brandon Smith [B, physical education] is teaching physical education at Montevallo Elemen- tary School in the Shelby County (Ala.) Schools system. Alumni Spotlight Mr. Newton ’08 goes to Washington From witnessing policy decisions as a student assistant in Auburn’s Samford Hall to affecting policy as a legislative aide in the U.S. Capitol, Andy Newton ’08 deals with banking, finance and tax issues before many of us finish our morning Cheerios. A 2008 higher education administration master’s graduate, his first Auburn degree was a bachelor’s in ac- counting, which he earned in May 2007 — along with amassing a distinguished list of campus activities that included elected posi- tions in the Student Government Association and Omicron Delta Kappa, and a Plainsman orange blazer in his closet. A legislative aide in Sen. Jeff Sessions’ (R-Ala.) office since May 2008, Newton has focused his research and advice on policy matters and constituent concerns in several public finance and regulatory areas. His work finds him meeting with groups from Alabama and authoring briefings and other documents that may ultimately lead Sessions to supporting or co-sponsoring legislation. This marks his first legislative staff stint, but in the summer of 2005, Newton in- terned for Sessions, as well as Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-4th). “I often look back on my [Education coursework] and recognize how the theories and concepts we studied play out on the national policy stage,” he said. That perspective will aid Newton as he further ponders his career choices, which he considers to be among three paths: further legislative work, banking and finance, or higher education finance. Alumni Notes
A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 71 Jenea Rachelle Whita- ker [M, rehabilitation counseling] is a certified rehabilitation counselor with the Georgia Depart- ment of Labor’s office in Columbus, Ga. 2007 FKira Ledbetter Aaron [B, English language arts education] is an English teacher with Elba (Ala.) City Schools. Emily Coker [early child- hood special education: B, 2007; M, 2008] is a pre-school special educa- tion teacher at Lake Forest Elementary School in Atlanta, Ga. Amy Wilson Crump [B, early childhood education] is now teaching kinder- garten teacher at in Shelby County (Ala.) Schools and pursuing a master’s degree in English language learn- ers from the University of Alabama Birmingham. Amber Hubbard DeBlanc [M, collaborative teacher special education] joined the faculty of Richland Ele- mentary School in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. Jonah Edmondson [B, general social science edu- cation] joined the faculty of Auburn (Ala.) High School in August 2009. Andrea Elliott [general social science education: B, 2007; M, 2009] joined the faculty of Auburn (Ala.) High School in August 2009. Crystal Rodgers Joiner [B, exercise science] is an athletic trainer with Rehab Associates in Montgomery, Ala. Ramin Mazaheri [adult education: B, 2007; M 2009] is an assistant Women’s Basketball coach at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa. FLandon McKean [B, elementary education; M, administration of higher education] joined the faculty of Homewood (Ala.) City Schools as a sixth-grade mathematics and science teacher, as well as sponsor of the Builders Club and co-sponsor of First Priority. Paul St. Onge [D, exercise science], of Enterprise, Ala., was appointed to a three-year term on the Auburn University College of Education’s National Advisory Council, begin- ning August 2010. He is a researcher with the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory at Ft. Rucker, and a fellow with the Warfighter Protec- tion Division of Oakridge Institute for Science and Education. Danielle Tharp Schrim- her [B, mathematics educa- tion] joined the faculty of Auburn (Ala.) Junior High School in August 2009. Phil Wilson [M, music education] was named Auburn (Ala.) City Schools’ 2009-10 elementary teacher of the year, as well as 2009-10 teacher of the year at Ogletree Elementary School, where he teaches music. In March 2010, he was among the “Sweet 16” finalists for Alabama’s teacher of the year honor. He was selected from among 132 applicants for the final round. 2008 FCharles “Oliver” Aaron [M, administra- tion of higher education] is director of orientation and admissions at Troy (Ala.) University. Sandra S. Beisel [M, collaborative teacher special education] joined the faculty of Cary Woods Elementary School in Au- burn, Ala., in August 2009. Rebecca Claire Dunn [early childhood special education: B, 2008; M, 2009] is an early childhood special education teacher at Gresham Elementary School in Birmingham, Ala. Ashley Jacobs Rosen- blum [B, early childhood education] teaches first grade at Riverton Elemen- tary School in Huntsville, Ala. Kathryn Gilbert Man- gum [early childhood education: B, 2008, M, 2009] joined the faculty of Auburn Early Education Center in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. Prasanthi Pallapu [D, adult education] is an instructional designer at South Dakota State Univer- sity in Brookings, S.D. Kevin Penn [B, physical education] is a combat systems officer with the U.S. Air Force in Universal City, Texas. Ashley Rowell Ramsey [B, early childhood educa- tion] joined the faculty of West Forest Intermediate Schools in Opelika, Ala., in August 2009. Jill Spraggins [elemen- tary education: B, 2008; M, 2009] joined the faculty of Yarbrough Elementary School in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. Kerron Tamara Stewart [B, adult education], a Jamaican sprinter who specializes in the 100m and 200m, won a gold medal at the 2009 IAAF Golden Gala in the Women’s 100m. At the 2009 World Champion- ships, Stewart won a silver medal in the 100m just two hundredths of a second behind Fraser by equaling her personal best of 10.75 seconds. At the same championship, she was anchor for the Jamaican quartet that took gold in the 4x100m Relay. Donald Austin Tidwell [B, general social science education] joined the faculty of Drake Middle School in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. 2009 Amy Berger [B, elementary education] teaches fourth grade in the Katy (Texas) Independent School Dis- trict. FLaura Boyd [B, elemen- tary education] is living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Africa, and teaches 32 fourth-graders at Bingham Academy, an international school. Read her blog at www.mustardseeddiaries. wordpress.com. Erica Broome [B, early childhood education] is now teaching in her native Alaska. She teaches a class of kindergartners through third-graders in a small Alaskan native village. Jessica Carter [B, early childhood special educa- tion] is an assistant teacher at Mitchell’s Place in Birmingham, Ala. Ashley Chambers [B, ex- ercise science] is attending physical therapy school at the University of Tennes- see-Chattanooga. Kelli Crumpton [B, busi- ness and marketing educa- tion] is pursuing a master’s in business and marketing education in Auburn’s Col- lege of Education. Lauren Culp [B, music education] is an assistant language teacher with the Ishikawa Board of Education in the Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. Alicia Daugherty [B, early childhood special education] joined the faculty of Richland Elemen- tary School and Yarbrough Elementary School in Au- burn, Ala., in August 2009. Caleb Doster [B, instru- mental music education] is an assistant band director at Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City, Ala. FJoanna Everett [B, English language arts education] began teaching at Auburn (Ala.) High School in August 2009. She teaches 10th and 12th grade core English language arts classes. Legend B: bachelor’s (B.S./BMED) M: master’s (M.S./M.Ed.) D: doctorate (Ph.D./Ed.D.) Since the College created the Student Ambassador program in 2003, nearly 150 students have served the college as ambassadors. The program now allows undergraduate and graduate students to interact with faculty, current and prospective students, alumni and donors. Learn where many of them are now by keeping an eye out for the F, starting with our 2005 alumni notes! Alumni Notes
Keystone Volume VII, 201072 Jessica T. Haley [B, el- ementary education] joined the faculty of Richland Elementary School in Au- burn, Ala., in August 2009. FBailey Harvard [B, early childhood education] is teaching third grade at Pace Academy in Atlanta Angela Petrey Holcomb [M, rehabilitation services] is a vocational rehabilita- tion counselor with the Kentucky State Office of Vocational Rehabilitation in Louisville. Christopher M. Ferrell [M, instrumental music] is director of bands at Hillgrove High School (Cobb County Schools) in Powder Springs, Ga. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in music educa- tion in Auburn’s College of Education. Elizabeth Hartwick [M, administration of higher education] is an academic program administrator in Auburn’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. Michael Keith Herston [M, exercise science] was hired in August 2009 as the track and field as- sistant coach over men and women’s jumps and combined events at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Lauren Long [B, elemen- tary education] joined the faculty of Southview Primary School in Opelika, Ala., in August 2009. Wendy James Lucas [B, exercise science] is pursu- ing a master’s in exercise science in Auburn’s College of Education. Carrie McCambridge [M, exercise science] is an assistant swimming coach with Auburn’s swimming and diving program after two seasons as a graduate assistant strength and con- ditioning coach. She was recently honored by the Collegiate Strength & Con- ditioning Coaches Associa- tion (CSCCa) with the 2009 John Stucky Award, which recognizes characteristics and skills demonstrated throughout one’s work in the strength and condition- ing profession. Christina Castelin McKay [EdS, school psychology] is a school psychologist with Troop County (Ga.) Schools. Laura Cameron Mott [B, elementary education] is pursuing a master’s in elementary education in Auburn’s College of Educa- tion. Andrew Morgan [B, general social science edu- cation] joined the faculty of Auburn (Ala.) Junior High School in August 2009. FAshley Morgan [B, el- ementary education] joined the faculty of Cary Woods Elementary School in Au- burn, Ala., as a first-grade teacher in August 2009. LaDextric Oliver [B, physical education] joined the faculty of Drake Middle School in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. Whitney Reed [M, English language arts educa- tion] joined the faculty of Auburn (Ala.) Junior High School in August 2009. FJustin Shroyer [D, kinesiology] is an assistant professor of kinesiology at the University of Louisi- ana at Lafayette. While a doctoral student at Auburn, Shroyer’s research on the effects of flip-flops on gait and stride received world- wide attention. Nicholas Smith [B, instru- mental music education] joined the faculty of Tusca- loosa County (Ala.) Schools as a music teacher. Ally Jordan Taylor [B, collaborative teacher spe- cial education] joined the faculty of Richland Elemen- tary School in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. LaTonya Terry [M, collab- orative teacher special edu- cation] joined the faculty of Richland Elementary School in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. Justin Yeager [M, math- ematics education] joined the faculty of Auburn (Ala.) High School in August 2009. Two College of Education gradu- ates are doing their part to reduce the frequency and severity of Army helicopter crashes. Drs. Loraine Parish St. Onge ’98 and Paul St. Onge ’07 are serious about the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory’s stated mission of enhancing the health, safety, combat ef- fectiveness and survivability of Army aviators and soldiers. Both earned doctorates in exercise science from Auburn. Lori also earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from the college in 1998. Paul conducts injury biomechanics research while Lori serves as a research administration manager. Both have been instrumental in the USAARL forming a research partnership with the Department of Kinesiol- ogy to study head and spinal injuries among aviators. At the USAARL, researchers study the effect of sleep deprivation on pilots and, thanks to a sophisticated NUH-60 Black Hawk helicopter simulator, can study the effects of the dusty, 100-plus-degree environment an aviator might encounter in Iraq. In Paul’s lab, the research primarily focuses on whether equipment ad- equately protects aviators in the event of a crash or hard landing. “We want to give them the right equipment,’’ Paul said. He described a condition known as “helicopter hunch,’’ created by the posture of piloting the aircraft while holding a joystick and using foot pedals — all while wearing a five-pound helmet and more than 20 pounds of safety equipment. Paul said many injuries result from pilots trying to mitigate discomfort by improperly modifying seat cushions. Alumni Spotlight St. Onges working to keep Army aviators safe Let us know what’s happening in your life! Submit your news, as well as updates to your contact information by clicking the online update button on the home page of education.auburn.edu.
Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institution/employer. ©2010, Auburn University College of Education Volume VII, 2010 The Keystone is an annual publication of the Auburn University College of Education, produced and distributed to alumni and friends of the college through the generous contributions of private donors. in the moment Keystone editor Troy Johnson Layout, Design and Photography Amanda J. Earnest Thanks to the Auburn Office of Communications and Marketing for contributing content. Additional photography by Auburn Photographic Services, Auburn Libraries: Special Collections and Archives and Village Photographers. Send address changes to eduinfo@auburn.edu, or by mail to the attention of Michael Tullier, APR. Auburn University College of Education Office of External Relations 3084 Haley Center Auburn, Alabama 36849-5218 334.844.4446 education.auburn.edu eduinfo@auburn.edu Dean Dr. Frances K. Kochan Director of External Relations Michael Tullier, APR in the momenta photographic review of 2009 Now you have SIXreasons to get an Auburn University tag: Buy your tag at the county tag office—make a difference and share the spirit in welcoming new students to the Auburn family by supporting scholarships. www.auburn.edu/cartags 1 Six characters are now available for optimum personalization (personalize your tag at no additional cost). 2 New, cool design featuring lots of orange and blue. 3 Your purchase supports scholarships. 4 You show your Auburn pride and spirit to the world, or at least to other drivers in Alabama (or wherever the road may take you). 5 You’ll be a cool cat, just like Aubie. 6 Why not? LTL_KeystoneMag Ad_0210.indd 1 2/15/10 3:54:15 PM
College of Education Office of the Dean 3084 Haley Center 735 Extension Loop Road Auburn, Alabama 36849-5218 Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 530 Montgomery, AL ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Reconnect with fellow College of Education graduates through these social and career networking Web sites: AuburnUniversityCollegeofEducation2010Keystone,volumeVii Blueprint for success Kochan helps college build bright future Blueprint for success Kochan helps college build bright future Collaboration | National award-winning partnership, pg 3 Military | College contributes to soldiers’ health, pg 26 Precious cargo | Johns ’57 values education, pg 46 Blueprint for success Kochan helps college build bright future | Page 8 Volume VIi, 2010 The Auburn University College of Education Magazine Find a link to all our social networking groups at education.auburn.edu/alumni/groups

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keystone2010WEB

  • 1. College of Education Office of the Dean 3084 Haley Center 735 Extension Loop Road Auburn, Alabama 36849-5218 Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 530 Montgomery, AL ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Reconnect with fellow College of Education graduates through these social and career networking Web sites: AuburnUniversityCollegeofEducation2010Keystone,volumeVii Blueprint for success Kochan helps college build bright future Blueprint for success Kochan helps college build bright future Collaboration | National award-winning partnership, pg 3 Military | College contributes to soldiers’ health, pg 26 Precious cargo | Johns ’57 values education, pg 46 Blueprint for success Kochan helps college build bright future | Page 8 Volume VIi, 2010 The Auburn University College of Education Magazine Find a link to all our social networking groups at education.auburn.edu/alumni/groups
  • 2. Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institution/employer. ©2010, Auburn University College of Education Volume VII, 2010 The Keystone is an annual publication of the Auburn University College of Education, produced and distributed to alumni and friends of the college through the generous contributions of private donors. in the moment Keystone editor Troy Johnson Layout, Design and Photography Amanda J. Earnest Thanks to the Auburn Office of Communications and Marketing for contributing content. Additional photography by Auburn Photographic Services, Auburn Libraries: Special Collections and Archives and Village Photographers. Send address changes to eduinfo@auburn.edu, or by mail to the attention of Michael Tullier, APR. Auburn University College of Education Office of External Relations 3084 Haley Center Auburn, Alabama 36849-5218 334.844.4446 education.auburn.edu eduinfo@auburn.edu Dean Dr. Frances K. Kochan Director of External Relations Michael Tullier, APR in the momenta photographic review of 2009 Now you have SIXreasons to get an Auburn University tag: Buy your tag at the county tag office—make a difference and share the spirit in welcoming new students to the Auburn family by supporting scholarships. www.auburn.edu/cartags 1 Six characters are now available for optimum personalization (personalize your tag at no additional cost). 2 New, cool design featuring lots of orange and blue. 3 Your purchase supports scholarships. 4 You show your Auburn pride and spirit to the world, or at least to other drivers in Alabama (or wherever the road may take you). 5 You’ll be a cool cat, just like Aubie. 6 Why not? LTL_KeystoneMag Ad_0210.indd 1 2/15/10 3:54:15 PM
  • 3. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 1 every issue departments 36-37 Curriculum and Teaching 38-39 Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology 40-41 Kinesiology 42-43 Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology 44 Truman Pierce Institute 45 Office of the Dean 2-6 Education Extra 7 Retired Faculty and Staff 16 University Highlights 16-23 Student Success 24-25 Scholarship and Awards Ceremonies 26-35 Research and Outreach 49 College Knowledge 50-51 National Advisory Council 52-55 Alumni News 56-63 Development 64-72 Alumni Notes in this issue EDUCATION EXTRA Setting the standard | page 3 Professional Development System partnership earns national recognition An educator to remember | page 8 Dr. Frances Kochan’s tenure as dean comes to a close, and the college has been forever transformed by her leadership INTERNATIONAL Spanning the globe | page 14 Partnerships with universities in Korea and Egypt create exchange opportunities RESEARCH AND OUTREACH Serving those who serve us | page 26 Graduate athletic trainers keep Army infantry recruits on their feet A very busy year | page 33 Grant submissions, external funding are on the rise KEYSTONE LEADER High achiever on the high seas | page 46 Robert Kenneth Johns ’57 draws on successes of his career as a container shipping pioneer Alumni Sunny side up | page 52 Egg entrepreneur Wayne McElrath ’52 earns college’s outstanding alumnus award On the Cover: Christopher Arnold, an associate professor in Auburn’s College of Architecture, Design and Construction’s Department of Industrial and Graphic Design, helped illustrate Dean Frances Kochan’s role as architect throughout her tenure by creating a blueline of the keystone for our cover. Ben Farrow, an assistant professor in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction’s McWhorter School of Building Science, arranged studio space. You can own everything on our cover, minus the blueprint and drafting table. Shop education.auburn.edu/edustore
  • 4. Keystone Volume VII, 20102 Dear Alumni and Friends: During a recent dinner with members of the Patrons of the Keystone- Dean’s Circle — my last as dean — I shared with this group of committed Education sup- porters my favorite book. And I shared with them that this much-loved bedtime book, Love You Forever, speaks quite succinctly to my time as your dean of education. When I joined the faculty in 1994, but especially when I began serving in 2001 as interim dean, I saw my role as a nurturing one — much like the mother in the story. And I’m proud today of the programs and efforts in which many participate that strive to nurture, mentor and further the college, those students who study in it, those faculty and staff who establish their careers in it, and those alumni and friends who give of their time and resources to support it. But, as I reflect on my time as dean, I’ve come to realize that I’ve been nurtured by the college in much the same way the mother of the story is cared for later in life by her son. I am sure that many of our faculty will agree that as we strive to enrich the lives of our students, they end up giving back to us. I see that every day, but am equally blessed to work with so many outstanding colleagues and witness the unwavering commitment of our alumni and friends who make our teaching, research and outreach mission possible. Our college would not be what it is today, nor would I personally, without the commitment of so many who are dedicated to improving our state, nation and world through education. This current academic year is among the most exciting our college has seen this decade, and I’m happy to see a few of those endeavors highlighted in the pages of this, our seventh, edition of the Keystone. In this edition, you will find articles about school partnerships, research and innovation and student and alumni achievements. Thank you for your interest in and support of all our college does. As a new dean joins the college in the coming months, I ask you to seek ways to nurture our college’s efforts to prepare educators and professionals for the job of build- ing better futures for all. War Eagle! Frances K. Kochan, Ph.D. Dean and Wayne T. Smith Distinguished Professor U.S.News ranks Auburn education school in top 25 percent A Messagefrom the Dean As part of its annual college rankings pro- gram, U.S.News and World Report ranked Auburn University’s College of Education No. 71 nation- ally — and 50th among public institutions — in its 2010 “Best Graduate Schools” publication. U.S.News made the information available on its Web site in April 2009. The current rankings represent the third consecutive year the college has been in the top 25 percent of schools surveyed. Auburn advanced to its current standing from its No. 77 spot in the 2009 “Best Graduate Schools,” released in 2008. Graduate programs at 278 schools of education granting doctoral degrees in education were surveyed in fall 2008 and early 2009.   “Our presence among the top quartile of education schools speaks to the commitment our faculty, staff and administrators show in creating and implementing high-quality programs and upholding our core values,’’ said Dr. Frances Kochan, dean of the College of Education. The college ranked higher than any school of education — public or private — in Alabama. The rankings are determined using a formula that includes reputational surveys completed by edu- cation school deans, education school academic associate deans and randomly selected school superintendents across the country. Other factors that affect a school’s rank include its research funding, faculty-to-doctoral student ratios, and Graduate Record Examination scores and accep- tance rates for incoming doctoral candidates. “While these most recent rankings reflect what has happened within our college in the last year, I am particularly excited about our future,’’ Kochan said. “We have been able to expand exist- ing and identify new forms of research support while also strengthening our internal support of faculty pursuing funding. “We expect to build on our success by fol- lowing a five-year strategic plan, which places particular emphasis on school and community partnerships, as well as research and innovation.’’
  • 5. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 3 Education Extra Dr. Shannon Brandt ’94, a fourth grade teacher at Wrights Mill Road Elementary School, has examined the Profes- sional Development System partnership between Auburn City Schools and Auburn University’s College of Education from every possible angle. She experienced it from the perspective of an Auburn University undergraduate student and a graduate student, a lab student and an intern, an adjunct instructor and an elementary school teacher. That constant contact, extended in her current role as Auburn City Schools’ PDS liaison, has enabled her to see the full range of the partnership’s benefits for administrators, faculty and students at the university and K-12 levels. “It’s a reciprocal effect,’’ said Brandt, a three-time College of Education graduate. “They make us better and we make them bet- ter. We feel like we have a resource that can help us professionally as part of a larger professional learning community.’’ The PDS collaboration now exists as a standard-bearer for partnerships between universities and local school systems. The Holmes Partnership, a consortium of approximately 100 research universities, honored Auburn’s PDS nationally with its 2010 Nancy Zimpher Award for Best Partnership. Representatives of ACS and the College of Education received the award at the 14th Annual Holmes Partnership Conference, held in January in Charleston, S.C. Auburn University is a charter mem- ber of the Holmes Partnership, which seeks “to enhance the quality of career professionals in teaching.’’ The partnership between Auburn University and ACS encour- ages collaboration among educators, students, future classroom teachers, parents and other community stakeholders. Currently, Auburn University faculty and their ACS counterparts are engaged in more than 20 ongoing initiatives that involve everything from mathematics to physical education. Dr. Terry Jenkins ’83, superintendent for Auburn City Schools, said the research resources made available by Auburn University have proven valuable in assessing strengths and opportunities for improvement at the K-12 level. “We have become very much a data-driven school district,’’ said Jenkins, a College of Education graduate and member of its Na- tional Advisory Council. “We’re able to analyze the data to improve instruction delivered to our children on a regular basis.’’ Dean Frances Kochan said members of the PDS Council have ensured the partnership adheres to the standards of excellence set by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. “We got together with our partners and decided we would take those standards of excellence and build our partnership up to them,’’ she said. According to Dr. Charles Eick, associate professor in the col- lege’s Department of Curriculum and Teaching, a couple of specific factors enable Auburn’s PDS to stand out. “Most PDS arrangements are between a university and an indi- vidual school,’’ said Eick, who helped initiate the Zimpher Award application as the college’s former PDS liaison. “We have a lot of discipline-specific professional development taking place.’’ This involvement takes many forms, including College of Educa- tion students interning, and faculty teaching courses and working with ACS to shape curriculum. ACS educators, from every level of K-12, are encouraged to take advantage of such professional development opportunities by conducting research with or receiv- ing mentorship from university faculty, attending conferences and pursuing advanced degrees or special training. Both the College of Education and ACS derive benefits from the relationship. Auburn students receive classroom experience that will prepare them for the workforce. ACS educators and Auburn faculty sharpen their classroom teaching and research skills. And, ultimately, ACS students reap the rewards of the com- mitment displayed by both partners. Auburn University, Auburn City Schools Professional Development System named best in nation Representatives of Auburn City Schools and the college attended the Holmes Partnership Conference in January. The PDS collaboration includes more than 20 ongoing initiatives.
  • 6. Keystone Volume VII, 20104 Education Extra The College of Education started 2010 by welcoming a new coor- dinator of assessment and evaluation and appointing new personnel to key roles involving diversity. Dr. Leonard Lock joined the college in January as its coordinator of assessment and evaluation. A 20-year veteran of the field, Lock previously served as a senior staff assistant of assessment/ data manager for the State University of New York Plattsburgh’s Division of Education, Health and Human Services. In that role, Lock helped lead a successful effort to attain national accreditation for the university’s Teacher Education Unit. Lock, who earned his doctorate at Temple University, also served in a variety of assessment and ac- countability roles for Maryland Public Schools and the Pennsylvania State Department of Education. While in Maryland, Lock worked to help schools meet No Child Left Behind Act adequate yearly progress standards, as well as school system benchmark assessment implementations and evalu- ations. During his time in Pennsylvania, Lock managed the first “Data Driven Decision Making’’ Governor’s Institute and supervised the multimillion dollar Pennsylvania School Performance Account- ability Incentive Program. Dr. Paulette Patterson Dilworth, Auburn University’s assistant vice president for access and community initiatives, is working with the college on a half-time basis as its diversity of- ficer. A former associate professor in the School of Education at Indiana University, Dilworth has more than 30 years of experience in higher education diversity consulting and training, recruitment, retention and teaching. Dr. Jared Russell, an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology, supports the college’s diversity objectives by coordinating minority graduate recruitment and retention on a part-time basis. Russell, who specializes in physical education teacher education, works with the college’s four departments to develop plans and strategies involving minority graduate recruitment and retention. College adds resources for assessment and evaluation, diversity The College of Education helped set the standard for giving among other campus units during the 2009 Faculty Staff Campaign by achieving a 100-percent participation rate for the first time since the campaign’s inception. “I cannot thank you enough for your willingness to come together and contribute to this campaign,’’ Dean Frances Kochan said to faculty and staff after learning of the achievement. “I am very grateful to all of you.’’ The College of Education and School of Nursing led the 13 academic units with 100 percent participation rates. Among the university’s non-academic units, the President’s Office, and offices of Alumni Affairs, Student Affairs, Development, and Communications and Marketing achieved 100 percent participation in the campaign. As a whole, Auburn University continued to outpace peer Southeastern Conference institu- tions in campus support efforts with an unprecedented 70.33 percent participation level. In 2008 the College of Education ranked second among academic colleges and schools with an 82-percent participat- ing level. Every year since 2006, the college’s participation level has been higher than the overall university average. The involvement of college faculty and staff has risen by double-digit percentage points in each of the last four years. The college’s 100 percent participation rate inspired 1968 gradu- ate Wayne T. Smith to make an unprecedented gesture. Smith and his wife, Cheryl, who is also a 1968 College of Educa- tion graduate, surprised Kochan with a gift matching a portion of the campaign contributions made by faculty and staff. College achieves perfection in 2009 Faculty Staff Campaign Learn more about the campaign at education.auburn.edu/100percent.
  • 7. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 5 Education Extra D r. Kimberly Walls possesses vivid memories of bright autumn Saturdays when she eagerly awaited the moment to start the show and strike up the band. As the drum major for the Auburn University Marching Band during her undergraduate days, she was always out in front when the first notes of “War Eagle’’ began whipping a crowded stadium into full frenzy. By the time Walls reached midfield, the rhythm, the melody and pageantry had created a harmonious cosmic swirl, transforming a patch of grass and painted white lines into some- thing far different. “I felt as if the stadium was my oyster,’’ said Walls, who earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education at Auburn. After teaching band in Alabama schools, she completed her doctor- ate in music education at Florida State University. And now, 13 years after returning to Auburn as a faculty mem- ber in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, Walls continues to mold a pearl of a music education program. Her care in design- ing and leading an innovative graduate distance learning program for practicing music education professionals hasn’t gone unnoticed by the university community. Auburn University’s Graduate School named Walls as the Distin- guished Graduate Faculty Lecturer for 2008-09. Walls delivered an October lecture about her efforts to integrate technology into music education. She was selected for the honor by a panel drawn from the 34 previous winners of the award, sponsored jointly by the Auburn Alumni Association and the Auburn Graduate School. Recipients, nominated by deans and department heads and chosen by the Graduate Faculty Council on the basis of excellence in research, receive a $2,000 award from the Alumni Association. Walls earned the honor based on her service as graduate program officer for the Department of Curriculum and Teaching (one of the university’s largest graduate programs) from 2004-08 and the quality of her research. Her areas of emphasis include the applica- tion of technology in music class- rooms, music perception, general music education and instrumental music education. Not that there was ever much doubt about what field Walls would enter. Her Double Springs, Ala., home was filled with all manner of songs. Walls’ mother sang in her high school choir, while her father performed in his high school and college bands. She also heard plenty of stories about her great-grandfather, who was a band leader in England. “It was in my blood,’’ Walls said. It continues to course through her veins as she shares the joy of teaching music with her undergraduate and graduate students. Thus far, she has chaired the committees of 96 Auburn University graduate students who have completed their degrees. Observing her courses conjures up images of a former drum major. With her distance education students participat- ing in classes equipped with two-way video streaming, Walls engages and informs them. Walls said her marching band roots help facilitate classroom interaction with students who are log- ging in from as far away as Idaho and New Jersey. “As a conductor, you’re always used to being in front of groups,’’ said Walls, who is also the 2008 recipient of the college’s Emily & Gerald Leischuck Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award. “You’re used to being on stage.’’ Walls contributes to the body of knowledge in her field through research and service. Much like her days as a drum major, Walls continues to lead. More importantly, she strives to keep her students in step while helping them learn how to engage an audience as mu- sicians/teachers who also conduct research. “I really enjoy seeing them become familiar with the field of research and wanting to contribute to it,’’ Walls said. “A lot of the professional activity that I do I do because of my students.’’ Former AU drum major leads parade of music education researchers Walls (center) with Graduate School Dean George Flowers and Vice President of Alumni Affairs Debbie Shaw ’84.
  • 8. Keystone Volume VII, 20106 Education Extra Strutchens and Kaminsky earn endowed professorships One works in a structured world defined by numbers, while the other works in a field of applied philosophy. In spite of the topical differences between mathematics and edu- cational philosophy, however, Drs. Marilyn Strutchens and James Kaminsky have demonstrated their talent for solving problems and improving practices in their respective academic fields. Both College of Education faculty members are 2009 recipients of the Mildred Cheshire Fraley Distinguished Professorship. Since their creation, the College of Education’s four endowed professorships have honored 23 faculty — 16 of whom still remain members today. Strutchens, a professor of mathematics education and Math- ematics Education program coordinator for the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, joined the College of Education faculty in 2000. Her work as co-director of Transform- ing East Alabama Mathematics (TEAM-Math), a partnership involving Auburn University’s College of Education and College of Science and Mathe- matics, along with Tuskegee University faculty and local educators, has been instrumental in improv- ing math education in regional school districts. In the last year alone, TEAM-Math established a pair of Teacher Leader academies to build the professional knowledge of math educators in the region. In 2008, Strutchens received the inaugural Distinguished Diversity Researcher Award from the Auburn University Research Initiative for the Study of Diversity and Auburn’s Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs. Her research focuses on factors that affect students’ mathematics achievement, with particular attention to African-American students. She studies such factors as socioeco- nomic status, access to mathematics courses, teachers’ beliefs about students, parental influence and students’ expectations and beliefs. Kaminsky, a professor of social foundations in the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology, has been a member of the college’s faculty since 1990. He was head of the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology from 1992 to 2001, and was a past executive editor of Education Philosophy and Theory. His teaching interests include philosophy of education, history of ideas and American pragmatism. Kaminsky is actively involved in the Southeast Philosophy of Education Society, an organization of academicians from 10 different states who explore such topics as home and charter schools, social justice, teaching methods, qualitative research, teacher education and morality and civics in classroom settings. Kaminsky served as the soci- ety’s president from 1994 to 1995. Kaminsky, whose honors include Auburn University’s Authors Cup and the 2005 SGA Outstanding College of Education Professor, has focused much of his research on the history of educational philosophy, post-modern theory in educational administration and neo-pragmatism in educational thought. A former faculty member and associate dean at the University of New England in Australia, Kaminsky has actively encouraged students to take advantage of international learning opportunities. Wayne T. Smith Professors Dr. Joseph Buckhalt, 2003 Dr. Mark Fischman, 2004 Dr. Frances K. Kochan, 2005 Dr. Peter Hastie, 2008 Dr. E. Davis Martin, 2007 Dr. Randall McDaniel, 2002 Dr. Mary Rudisill, 2004 Humana-Germany- Sherman Professors Dr. Craig Darch, 1999 Dr. Bruce Gladden, 1999 Dr. David D. Pascoe, 2007 Dr. David M. Shannon, 2007 Dr. Bonnie White, 2002 Mildred Cheshire Fraley Professors Dr. James Kaminsky, 2010 Dr. Marie Kraska, 2003 Dr. Marilyn Strutchens, 2010 Emily R. and Gerald S. Leischuck Professor Dr. W. Gary Martin, 2008 Drs. Marilyn Strutchens and James Kaminsky are among 16 current faculty who have earned endowed professorships. Learn more about the college’s endowed professorships at education.auburn.edu/ facultystaff/professorships
  • 9. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 7 The College of Education mourned the loss of two beloved former professors in 2009 — Drs. Cayce Scarborough and Jone Perryman Wright. Scarborough, a professor emeritus of vocational and adult education, passed away in September 2009. He was 97. Wright, an associate professor emeritus in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, passed away in June 2009. She was 75. Scarborough’s career began in 1935 as a high school agricul- ture teacher. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in general education and agricultural science, respectively, from Auburn, and taught at the university from 1947-49 and again from 1973- 79. Scarborough was among the College of Education’s first vocational education faculty members. After retiring, Scarborough helped develop the Auburn Uni- versity Academy of Lifelong Learners (now known as OLLI). Wright, who retired from Auburn in 1991, taught at Auburn and the University of Alabama for a combined 35 years after serving as an elementary school teacher. Wright earned her bachelor’s degree from Weslyan and her master’s degree from the University of Georgia. Before completing her doctorate at the University of Alabama, Wright lived in Europe for several years. The College of Education bid a fond farewell five faculty members, who served a combined 123 years with the university, and three staff members. Drs. Debra Cobia, Gerald Halpin, Glennelle Halpin and Judith Lechner were recognized for their valuable contributions to the college during May 2009 retirement celebrations. Each was awarded emeritus faculty status as acknowledged by Auburn University President Jay Gogue. Dr. Elizabeth Senger, who began teaching mathematics education in the Department of Curricu- lum and Teaching in 1996, retired in December 2009. Cobia, professor and School Counseling program coordi- nator in the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology, had been a member of the college’s faculty since 1990. Among her academic credentials is a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Auburn. Gerald Halpin, a professor of educational research and statis- tics in the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology, served on the college’s faculty for 35 years. He came to Auburn in 1974. Like her husband, Glennelle Halpin, a professor of education psychology in EFLT, also served on the college’s faculty for 35 years. A Mildred Cheshire Fraley distinguished professor, she focused her research on program evaluation, problem solving and motivation. Lechner, a professor in EFLT’s School Library Media/Tech- nology program, served on the college’s faculty for 21 years. Senger specialized in mathematics education at the elemen- tary and secondary levels. Sharon Huey, an administrative support associate in the Department of Kinesiology, retired in March 2010 after 25 years of service. Patsy Dawson, a specialist in contracts and grants in SERC, retired in December 2009 after 28 years of service to Auburn University. Sheila Wood, an administrative associate in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, also retired in December 2009. College grieves loss of two family members College bids farewell to seven retirees Curriculum and Teaching Dr. Elizabeth Senger Sheila Wood Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology Dr. Gerald Halpin Dr. Glennelle Halpin Dr. Judith Lechner Kinesiology Sharon Huey Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology Dr. Debra Cobia Patsy Dawson The College of Education bid farewell to eight of its own since the publication of the last keystone. We wish them well in their retirement. We want to hear from you! The College of Education wants to maintain a strong connection with retired faculty and staff. Help us stay in touch with you by providing updated contact information to Keystone editor Troy Johnson (334.844.4468 or ltj0001@auburn.edu) Retired Faculty and Staff Blasts from the past The Department of Kinesiology welcomed retired faculty members to campus for a special event with current faculty and graduate students. Former faculty members like Herbert “Hub’’ Waldrop, Sandra Newkirk, Jane Moore and Mel Rosen regaled the crowd with stories about their time on campus and the changes they’ve observed in the academic field of kinesiology.
  • 10. Keystone Volume VII, 20108 of excellence College builds on strong reputation under Kochan’s guidance
  • 11. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 9 Each year since 2005, when she broke through a glass ceiling and became the first female dean in the history of Auburn’s College of Education, Dr. Frances K. Kochan has provided leadership for more than 150 faculty and staff and 2,600 students. While Kochan has thrived in that role, there is no ambiguity as to who she is at her core. “I started out as a teacher,’’ said Kochan, who will step down as dean and return to the college’s faculty this sum- mer. “I love that role and I will always be a teacher.’’ She has come a long way since her first job almost 47 years ago, when she taught English to adults while living on the island of Yap, a tiny speck in the South Pacific, but she has remained true to her roots. She still excels at connect- ing with her audience, whether it consists of fifth-graders or potential scholarship donors.
  • 12. Keystone Volume VII, 201010 “The human side of her is so visible,’’ said Dr. Susan Villaume, the college’s associate dean of academic affairs and its certification officer. “She has an amazing ability to create relationships with people, genuine relationships.’’ For most of the last decade, Kochan has channeled her considerable energy and relationship-building talents into improving the College of Education and positioning it for future success. In many ways, the lifelong teacher assumed that role as principal architect while serving as interim dean from 2001 to 2004 and dean for the last five years. “Fran’s vision has allowed us to grow,’’ said Dr. James Witte, associate professor and Adult and Higher Education program coor- dinator. That vision helped create an easily recognizable identity for the college — the keystone graphic that graces the cover of this magazine and serves as a metaphorical representation of education as a cen- tral, supporting stone within society — as well as a clearly defined conceptual framework and strategic plan. Her attention to detail and ability to plan long-range have proven instrumental in the college increasing scholarships for students, improving research capabilities of faculty, strengthening re- lationships with alumni and local school partners, and creating international exchange opportunities. Kochan accomplished this and more as dean while remaining committed to two other passions. First, her commitment to students has been clearly demonstrated through her continued efforts to advise several doctoral candidates while also fulfilling her dean’s duties. Second, she continued to be world-renowned for her research and writing on professional and student mentoring. Soon after Kochan was appointed interim dean, replacing Dr. Richard Kunkel in 2001, the college conducted a study to assess strengths and potential for improvement. Over the course of the next two years, Kochan helped identify the col- lege’s icon, the keystone, and ways to build on that brand. In addition to forming the Keystone Leader-in- Residence program, which has brought a variety of accomplished professionals to campus as guest speakers, the college published its first magazine and proclaimed its mission of developing “compe- tent,’’ “committed’’ and “reflective’’ educators. After becoming the fifth dean in the college’s history in 2005, Kochan created a climate of shared governance by establishing committees of faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners for assessment, Frances K. Kochan appointed as interim dean after Richard Kunkel leaves to become dean of the College of Education at Florida State University Study conducted to gauge college’s strengths and areas for improvement College adopts “keystone’’ as its symbol Mildred Cheshire Fraley Distinguished Professorship established Keystone Leaders-in- Residence program is launched College’s Conceptual Framework, outlining mission to build “competent,’’ “committed’’ and “reflective’’ educators, is developed First Keystone magazine is published; new Web site launched Bonnie White appointed interim dean 2001 2002 2003 2004 Through the years A look at the some of the College of Education’s milestones during Dr. Frances K. Kochan’s time as interim dean and dean Architect of excellence continued Kochan has excelled at building relationships with alumni, including former long-time National Advisory Council member Dr. Joyce Reynolds Ringer ’59.
  • 13. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 11 distance education and outreach technology, di- versity, faculty and governance, field experiences, graduate academic programs, scholarship and in- novation and undergraduate academic programs. “I’m very proud of our shared governance committees, which give a voice to all constituen- cies,’’ Kochan said. “That helps us make better decisions about where we are and where we need to go in the future.’’ Always a teacher In order to fully appreciate where the College of Education is at present, one must know the forma- tive professional experiences of its leader. Kochan, more commonly known as “Fran’’ to her friends (of which there are many), cultivated her direct but com- passionate brand of leadership during a career in K-12 education that included a variety of roles. Her time teaching English to non-native speakers of the language in the Western Caroline Islands and almost four additional years of teach- ing in Guam provided countless examples of her caring touch and her resourcefulness. When she started teaching young students in Guam, they were reading from books published in and written about a wholly unfamiliar place — New York City. As project director of an “English as a Second Language’’ curriculum, she found more effective ways to engage those students. “We received funds to develop materials that were culturally relevant to them that would address reading and language development,’’ Kochan said. “We encouraged parental and community involvement. We went out into the community and collected folklore and had a com- munity advisory council that worked with us. “That was where I developed my beliefs about how you have to know the culture you’re in and create environments in teaching and learning that meet the children where they are. You bring the parents and the community into that process.’’ Kochan demonstrated a value for and an abil- ity to build those kinds of relationships on every step of her professional journey, from elementary school classrooms to her time as the first female principal in the Wakulla County (Fla.) public school system. After working her way up to assistant super- “Dr. Kochan has brought many diverse units in the College together under a unified conceptual framework and mission. There have also been significant increases in the research productivity within the college.” Dr. Mark Fischman, Wayne T. Smith distinguished professor of motor behavior Kochan named college’s first female dean and fifth overall College fosters spirit of shared governance by establishing committees for assessment, distance education and outreach technology, diversity, faculty and governance, field experiences, graduate academic programs, scholarship and innovation and undergraduate academic programs College celebrates 90th anniversary during 2005- 2006 academic year College re-emerges from ranking hiatus at No. 82 in U.S.News and World Report’s survey of American’s top 100 graduate education programs National Advisory Council refines its terms of service and committee structure, expands national alumni representation to more than 10 states College begins developing five-year strategic plan, which focuses on high- quality academic programs, international and intercultural engagement, financial prosperity, research and innovation, collaboration and partnership engagement College ranks 70th in U.S.News and World Report survey of 240 graduate schools of education Professional Development System Council formed to strengthen collaboration with Auburn City Schools and develop a template for similar future PDS partnerships 2005 2006 College of Education students -- and university icons like Aubie -- have always found Kochan to be warm and approachable. Kochan has always been willing to serve others, just as she did at the college’s 90th anniversary tailgate in 2005.
  • 14. Keystone Volume VII, 201012 intendent of Wakulla County Schools, she crossed into higher education in 1987. Kochan started as a research associate at Florida State University’s Center for Instructional Development and Ser- vices, but eventually moved into the role of princi- pal/associate professor at Florida State University School, a K-12 school system that doubles as a teacher education lab for FSU’s College of Educa- tion. She became the school system’s first female director/superintendent in 1991, but left in 1994 to become an associate professor in Auburn’s Depart- ment of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology. She served as director of the Truman Pierce Institute for four years before becoming an associate dean and then interim dean all within the span of a month in 2001. Her professional development path prepared her well for the challenges and opportunities of- fered by the deanship. “I have an absolute belief that [education] is a pre-K through 20 process and it involves all aspects — the health sciences, the human sciences and the educational sciences,’’ Kochan said. “They are part of a whole and I think that’s why our col- lege is a very powerful one. We can build a better future for all and we are doing it every single day.’’ Reaching milestones As for the future of the college itself, recent ac- complishments paint a promising picture. As the Keystone went to press, a national search for Kochan’s successor had yielded finalists who were preparing for campus interviews. Whoever lands the job will find faculty and students well equipped to carry out the college’s mission of building better futures for the state, nation and world. “The college has grown in many important ways under Fran’s leadership,’’ said Dr. Cynthia Reed, professor of educational leadership and Kochan’s successor as director of the Truman Pierce Institute. “Two areas that particularly stand out for me are her emphasis on innovation and her work on relationship building, both internally and externally.’’ The two components are inextricably linked. Kochan’s ability to connect with the college’s alumni and stakeholders proved essential in developing important resources. A $1 million gift in 2006 from 1968 graduates Wayne T. and Cheryl Glass Smith led to the creation of the college’s Office of Research and Innovation in 2008. As a result, faculty sought more than $20.3 million in first-year external project funding from various sources from July 2008 to July 2009. Contrast that with the college’s previous seven- year average of $3.04 million in first-year external funding requested annually. The college has also demonstrated a commit- ment to building international research relation- College achieves continuing accreditation under performance-oriented standards of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) College ranks 62nd in U.S.News and World Report survey of top education graduate schools Academic and research partnerships are formed with the National University of Costa Rica Emily R. and Gerald S. Leischuck Endowed Professorship for Critical Needs in Education established College establishes Outstanding Faculty Early Career Award College develops and adopts core values of ethics and dignity, diversity, student focus and collaboration and public engagement Office of Research and Innovation created through $1 million gift — the largest single contribution in the college’s history — from 1968 graduates Wayne T. and Cheryl Glass Smith More than 150 scholarships awarded for the first time in college’s history College ranks 77th out of 250 graduate education programs surveyed by U.S.News and World Report College ends Auburn’s seven- year, $500 million “It Begins at Auburn’’ campaign 246 percent above its original campaign goal 2007 2008 Architect of excellence continued Kochan celebrates the success of the “It Begins at Auburn’’ campaign with (from left) Wayne T. Smith ’68, Auburn President Jay Gogue and Gordon Sherman ’57. Smith and Sherman were the college’s first two Keystone Leaders-in- Residence and both currently serve on the Auburn University Foundation Board. Smith chaired the college’s $500 million “It Begins at Auburn’’ Campaign Committee and Sherman served on the committee. Kochan visits with Dean’s Circle and National Advisory Council member Hedy White Manry ’71.
  • 15. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 13 ships with universities in Costa Rica, Korea and Egypt and to helping partners closer to home. In 2010, the Professional Development System partnership between the College of Education and Auburn City Schools was recognized as the best of its kind in the nation by the Holmes Partnership. “Fran has been really essential in the kinds of professional development partnerships we have because she has invested a lot of personal time in them,’’ said Dr. John Saye, alumni professor and program coordinator of Secondary Social Science education. “Fran has been a very visible presence and advocate for our partnerships with schools and has worked to provide faculty with the re- sources they need to do research and outreach.’’ The college’s successes in those capacities have drawn attention well beyond Samford Hall. The college has been ranked among the best education graduate programs ranked by U.S.News and World Report each year since 2005. A lasting legacy As impressive as the rankings and rewards may be, Kochan’s lasting legacy will also be remem- bered for the “human touch’’ described in The Au- burn Creed. The college’s Professional Education Services staff witnessed one of those quintessen- tial Kochan moments when the dean came to the aid of a student who had lost her wallet and ID in Haley Center. Kochan comforted the crying stu- dent, provided a phone and a fistful of money unsolicit- ed. “To me, that story really captures what Fran is all about,’’ Villaume said. Bill Langley ’63, who serves as chair of the college National Advisory Council’s External Relations Committee, said Kochan meets the defi- nition of an effective leader because she inspires others. “She is a very special person,’’ he said. “She’s not heavy-handed or overbearing at all, but she gets things done and motivates people because she touches people.’’ As Kochan pointed out earlier, though, she is and always will be a teacher first. So it’s fitting that, after taking a break to decompress and spend quality time with her husband, Bill, her children and grandchildren, she will return to a faculty po- sition in the Department of Educational Founda- tions, Leadership and Technology. Kochan can retire from the deanship know- ing that she helped design a brighter future for the College of Education. Best of all, she can step away from the job feeling the same way about it as she did of her time teaching English on that tiny island in the South Pacific. “I’ve loved every single job I’ve ever had,’’ she said. College ranks 71st out of 278 graduate schools of education in U.S.News and World Report survey College achieves 100 percent participation rate in Faculty Staff Campaign for first time On 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Dean’s Circle, seven new members are welcomed into the group Student and faculty exchange partnership formed with Korea University Kochan announces decision to step down from deanship in summer 2010 College awards 168 scholarships worth more than $329,000 — both unprecedented amounts College establishes award to recognize faculty and staff outstanding commitment to diversity College’s Professional Development System collaboration with Auburn City Schools receives 2010 Nancy Zimpher Award for Best Partnership in the nation Academic and research partnership formed with Egypt’s Suez Canal University New Auburn MRI Research Center planned to open in fall, creating lab space for Kinesiology 2009 2010 Kochan welcomes National Advisory Council chair Jim Manley ’60, his wife Harriett, and National Advisory Council academic affairs committee chair Dr. Thomas Taylor ’60 to the college’s annual holiday party. Kochan helped the college pursue a number of international partnerships, including one with Egypt’s Suez Canal University. Kochan celebrates the addition of two new endowed professorships with (from left) Drs. Gary Martin, Mary Rudisill, Terry Ley, Bonnie White, Randall McDaniel, Marilyn Strutchens, David Pascoe, James Kaminsky and Mark Fischman in 2010. “The College of Education has become a kinder, gentler place under the leadership of Dr. Kochan.’’ Dr. Randall McDaniel Wayne T. Smith distinguished professor of rehabilitation
  • 16. Keystone Volume VII, 201014 Having lived in Auburn for more than a year, Mohamed Sywelem has formed equally strong connections with the university’s faculty and the local community. “I have a deep appreciation for Auburn Uni- versity,’’ said Sywelem, a visiting research scholar from Egypt assigned to the College of Education’s Department of Educational Foundations, Leader- ship and Technology. “Auburn really has a good environment to succeed.’’ Sywelem’s favorable accounts resonated with administrators and faculty at Suez Canal Uni- versity, where he will teach after completing his doctorate. Faculty from the Ismalia, Egypt-based university visited Auburn in February 2010 to explore partnerships the College of Education and other campus units. Dr. James Witte hopes that their visit will lead to research partnerships and student internships. “There’s a wonderful opportunity for student exchange, for faculty exchange and for cross fertilizing in a different culture,’’ said Witte, associate professor and Adult and Higher Education program coordinator in EFLT. The college has succeeded in building partnerships stretching from Central America to Asia. In July 2009, the college welcomed professors and graduate students from Korea University to campus as an entrée to creating student and faculty exchange opportunities and opening up various practicum, internship, research and service learning opportunities. “These partnerships are so important to us,’’ said Dean Frances Kochan. “In this world with so many struggles, it’s a joy when we can come together and be one.’’ Drs. Suyhun Suh and John Dagley, associate professors in the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/ School Psychology, ignited the college’s interest in building a rela- tionship with Korea University. The two faculty members explored outreach initiatives that would mesh with the demographic changes undergone in West Georgia and East Alabama as the result of Kia and Hyundai entering the economic scene. Billboards written in Korean, touting everything from realtors to church services, are now a common sight along the I-85 corridor in East Alabama. “We need to help the students and the community members, especially the professionals who are in education, have better knowledge about the Korean people,’’ Suh said. “They can go beyond what they already know and they can be outside of their own boxes. They can interact with people who are differ- ent than them.’’ Those interactions often reveal that educators from America to Asia are attempting to reach the same goals. For instance, the visitors from Suez Canal University expressed a keen interest in the College of Education’s distance education initia- tives and its capacity to prepare teachers for pre-K and special education classrooms. “As we live in this world, it becomes smaller every day,’’ Auburn Provost Mary Ellen Mazey said. “What can be more important than building these partnerships? We all have much to learn from each other.’’ College builds partnerships with Egyptian, Korean universities INTERNATIONAL Provost Mary Ellen Mazey (first row, second from left) visits with a contingent from Suez Canal University in February 2010. Korea University faculty and students visit with Auburn administrators and faculty in July 2009.
  • 17. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 15 International Having studied a foreign language for five years, Holleigh Patterson figured she would be well suited to serve as a volunteer instruc- tor at the Auburn Universi- ty Summer English School, a College of Education outreach initiative aimed at improving the proficiency of adult non-native speakers and students in grades K-12.   There was one potential ob- stacle that briefly surprised Patterson on the first day of class at Richland Elemen- tary School. Patterson, a junior English education major from Vestavia Hills, Ala., possesses a strong grasp of Spanish. Upon walking into her classroom for the first time, however, Patterson couldn’t help but notice all of her students hap- pened to be Korean. “I had no idea,’’ Patterson said during a break at the camp, held in June 2009 in partnership with Auburn and Opelika City Schools. Of course, Patterson rec- ognized certain fundamentals apply to teaching students any new language. “I know how hard it is to want to say something and to not be able to spit it out,’’ Patterson said, drawing on her own experience in learning a foreign language. “It helped me to have more of an understanding and to be more sympathetic toward them while they’re learning English.’’ Having completed its second year, the Auburn University Summer English School represents a valuable educa- tional resource for international students making the transition to a new culture. The region’s economic growth has been spurred, in part, by the opening of a Kia automobile plant in West Point, Ga. Dr. Jung Won Hur, camp director and assistant professor of educational media in the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technol- ogy and camp director, said the vast majority of the students who attended the 2009 camp had already studied Eng- lish. Hur and Dr. Suhyun Suh, associate professor in the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counsel- ing/School Psychology, are focused on improving students’ reading and writing proficiencies. Of the 100 students en- rolled last summer, 98 were Korean and two were Chinese. “The general classroom environ- ments might be overwhelming to some newcomers,’’ Hur said, “and they might be afraid of speaking in front of many native speakers. But, this environment is much more comfortable in that most people can understand the difficulties but they all share the same goal — im- proving English proficiency.’’   In order to make English less in- timidating to the students, Hur and the summer school volunteers integrated songs and games into the curriculum. Hur expressed hope that the summer English school would succeed in build- ing relationships with more students in the future. Summer English School ensures students don’t get ‘lost in translation’ Education students gain experience working with non-native English speakers. From Central America to East Africa, faculty members have collected their fair share of passport stamps while adding to the college’s portfolio of international scholarship and outreach. Here are a few examples: In July 2009, Dr. Sue Barry, coordinator of the Foreign Language Education program, accompanied four Span- ish teachers to Heredia, Costa Rica, to gain insight into school and family life. Dr. John Saye, alumni professor of sec- ondary social sciences, visited Heredia during the second week of the group’s stay in order to explore the possibilities of a new course in comparative culture study. Dr. Lisa Kasmer, assistant professor of elementary math educa- tion traveled to Arusha, Tanzania, in 2009 to explore the development of a Study Abroad and outreach/service learn- ing program. In April 2009, Dr. Brian Parr visited St. Isztvan University in Hungary to develop an agricultural education partnership that would open the door for faculty and student exchanges. In May, music education faculty members Drs. Kim Walls and Bill Walls visited the Hungar- ian cities of Godollo, Budapest, Szarvas and Kecskemet to explore potential exchange opportunities. Faculty serious about college’s international commitment
  • 18. Keystone Volume VII, 201016 Dear Auburn Alumni and Supporters, A s the College of Education continues the search for its new dean, I want to take a mo- ment to recognize the contributions of Fran Kochan, who came to Auburn in 1994 as an associate professor and has been at the college’s helm for almost a decade. During her time here, she has held the titles of associate professor, distinguished professor, Truman Pierce Institute director, associate dean for administra- tion and interim dean. As director of the Truman Pierce Institute, she established and coordi- nated university, community and private partnerships for teacher training and curriculum improvement in local schools — most notably in Alabama’s Black Belt region. Dr. Kochan’s professional background includes experience as a classroom teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent prior to her faculty experiences at Auburn and Florida State University. Internationally known for her expertise in mentoring, Kochan has written articles about teachers as researchers and has published book chapters on family and school relationships and middle school organizational change. Her major research focus has been on barriers to organizational change and school and university collaboration. Under Dean Kochan’s leadership: • The college improved its standing to No. 71 in U.S.News & World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools’’ survey of 2010. • The college’s Professional Development System collaboration with Auburn City Schools was recognized by the Holmes Partnership as the nation’s best partnership of its kind for 2010. • Education faculty demonstrated its commitment to research by raising its grant submissions and funding requests. Research expenditures in 2008-09 totaled more than $8.1 million, nearly doubling the total from the preceding academic year. • New research and exchange partnerships with Korea University and Egypt’s Suez Canal University were established. I’m sure I speak for all the Auburn family in thanking Dean Kochan for her contributions to the university and wishing her every continued success in and out of the classroom. War Eagle! Jay Gogue President A Messagefrom the President Auburn University hired Ainsley Carry as vice presi- dent for student affairs in April 2009. Carry previously served as associate vice presi- dent for student affairs and dean of students at Temple University. While there, he supervised 10 depart- ments within the division of student affairs. In his current role at Auburn, Carry is respon- sible for the formulation, development, manage- ment and delivery of services and programs to enhance the academic, physical and social welfare of students. He oversees the Office of the Dean of Stu- dents, student government, student media, Ca- reer Development Services, Campus Recreation, student organizations, Greek Life, International Student Life, Judicial Affairs, Student Residence Life, Student Orientation and Retention, the parents’ association, student community services, the Student Recreation Center, the University Student Center, the university medical clinic and the Student Leadership Institute. Auburn University will institute a Common Book program this fall to promote a shared aca- demic experience among incoming freshman and other students. The program will begin with the reading of “Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace … One School at a Time’’ by Greg Morten- son and David Oliver Relin. A new book will be chosen each year, and there are plans to bring some of those authors to campus or others who are connected to the selected works. Many freshman-level classes will integrate the book into coursework. For more information about the “Auburn Connects!’’ Common Book program, visit www.auburn.edu/auburnconnects. Auburn welcomes Carry as VP for student affairs Book program brimming with possibilities
  • 19. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 17 Student Success Demetriss Locke, a doctoral candidate in higher education administration, said it’s important for College of Education students to seek mentorship from faculty for a variety of reasons. “That may be the person who will write them a letter of recommendation for gradu- ate school or to provide a recommendation for a job,’’ Locke said. Locke and LaTosha Ramsey, also a doctoral candidate in higher education and administration, are do- ing their part to help link undergraduate students to established leaders through the MARS (Minority Achievement, Retention & Success) Program. The MARS Program supports underrepresented minority students in the College of Education by pairing them with fac- ulty members and graduate students in mentoring relationships. The mentor volunteers provide guidance for students who are adjusting to a university setting or choosing a career path. MARS Program provides valuable mentorship Auburn President Jay Gogue has set the strategic goal of elevating the university’s undergraduate educational programs and enriching students’ undergraduate experiences. In order to help the university meet these goals and raise its position in academic rankings, the College of Education has added to its efforts to recruit and retain top- notch students. The college has instituted a strategic plan for retention and enlisted the help of Marcus Johnson, a graduate student in school psychology, to serve as an academic coach. Johnson will work alongside Becca Grace, the college’s coordinator of student services, to provide general advising, academic sup- port resources and to develop success strate- gies to targeted groups within the college. As part of its continual efforts to recruit the best and brightest, the college has reached out to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to cultivate potential graduate students while also cultivating high school students who envision a future in education. Strategic plan focuses on recruitment, retention From dipping a toe in the cold Indian Ocean to exploring the Irish countryside to assisting Olympic athletes, Auburn Lyle, Matthew Goula and Kimberly Wasserburger have enjoyed some amazing experiences during their spring 2010 internships. Best of all, they’ve been willing to share them through the online journals they’ve been keeping. You can read more about their adventures at education.auburn.edu/blogs. Lyle, a collaborative special education major, turned her first overseas trip into a profes- sional development opportunity by teaching special education students in Grahamstown, South Africa. Goula, a social science education graduate student, followed up an internship at Ope- lika High School by teaching geography, his- tory and social science to seventh-graders in Kenmare, Ireland. Wasserburger, a College of Education Stu- dent Ambassador and rehabilitation services major, earned an internship opportunity with the U.S. Olympic Committee in Colo- rado Springs. Wasserburger, who plans to complete a master’s degree in occupational therapy at UAB, split time between the USOC’s Sports Medical Clinic and its recovery center and spa. Student bloggers share internship experiences
  • 20. Keystone Volume VII, 201018 Courtney Glass, a senior English lan- guage arts education major, earned a $500 Alabama Alpha Delta Kappa Scholarship during the 2009 academic year. The scholarship is available to juniors and seniors-to-be. Founded in 1947, Alpha Delta Kappa  is a worldwide international honorary organization of women dedi- cated to educational excellence, altruism and world understand- ing. There are more than 1,500 chapters worldwide. Glass receives Alpha Delta Kappa Scholarship Student Success Holly Brigman, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Special Education, Re- habilitation, Counseling/School Psychology, received one of the four Graduate Dean’s Fellowships for the College of Education. The other designees will be named later. Brigman, who is working toward a doctorate in rehabilitation and special education, began serving her term in fall 2009. Brigman, an Asheville, N.C. native, hopes her degree will lead to a career in policy development or as a university profes- sor or administrator. Her research interests include employment outcomes for consumers served by the state vocational rehabili- tation system and post-secondary outcomes for persons who have disabilities. Brigman earned a master’s degree in rehabilitation counsel- ing from Auburn in 2009 and a bachelor’s degree in education of deaf children from the University of North Carolina at Greens- boro. Before enrolled in graduate courses at Auburn, she worked as assistant director for UNC-Greensboro’s Office for Students with Disabilities and as a rehabilitation counselor in North Carolina’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Brigman selected for Graduate Dean’s Fellowship Phi Kappa Phi honor society welcomed 59 College of Education students to its ranks in 2009. Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest, largest and most selective multi-disciplinary honor society. Memberships are extended by invitation-only to the top 10 percent of seniors and gradu- ate students and the top 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction may also qualify. The Auburn University chapter was established in 1914 and initiates more than 400 students annually. Phi Kappa Phi promotes the pursuit of excellence in all fields of higher education, recognizes outstanding achievement by students, faculty and others through various awards and engages the community of scholars in service to others. Phi Kappa Phi recognizes 59 students for excellence Lindsay Bailey Pamela Bailey Kalli Black Bonnie Burns Bridgette Burton Jessica Carter Jennifer Canfield Courtney Chaulker Lisa Collins Virginia Collins Jamie Crowe Lauren Culp Anna Curl Courtney Davis Katherine Dean Sarah Dowling Alicia Ellis Cameron Flowers Sherry Francis Richard Freda Ashlyn Freeman Erika Gam Nicole Giordano Amanda Gluckman Kayla Gordon Elizabeth Gore Laura Groves Amanda Guthrie Tracy Hall Katherine Harris Maribeth Hasse Brittney Herring Amy Holley Tanika Jones Lauren Long Elizabeth McFarling Kylie Miller Laura Mott Laura Nevins Courtney Nims Justin Norton Michelle Parker Hannah Paxton Jeannie Pearman Megan Peoples Marilyn Player Mary Quinn Cabray Rauschenberg Susan Reynolds Clay Ritenbaugh Kathleen Sacco Amanda Shankles Brittney Spillman Katie Stringfellow Morgan Taylor Thomas Traylor Milton Williams Colleen Wise Amber Wright Courtney Nicole Davis, a senior early childhood education major, earned the Alabama PTA’s $500 Elizabeth Baldwin Hill Scholarship for 2008-09. The Alabama PTA  honored Davis and other award recipi- ents during the 91st Annual Alabama PTA Convention, held in April 2009. Davis’ honor was publicized in Alabama PTA Bulletin, the organization’s quarterly newsletter. Davis earns Elizabeth Baldwin Hill Scholarship
  • 21. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 19 Seven College of Education students contributed to the success experienced by Auburn University’s Collegiate FFA chapter at the 82nd National FFA Convention. In all, 14 Auburn University Collegiate FFA members attended the convention in Indianapolis and competed in national competi- tions. The College of Education students who participated in the event were agriscience education graduate student John Wilson, senior Ben Johnson, senior Jay Gibson, senior Richard Dorman, junior Bruce Davis, junior Andrew Talley and sophomore Bradley Cox. Johnson, Gibson, Dorman, Davis, Talley and Cox are all agri- science education majors. Johnson helped Auburn’s chapter capture first place in the par- liamentary procedure competition. Wilson, Cox and Talley helped lead the debate team to a second place finish. Davis and Gibson contributed to the Quiz Bowl team’s fourth place finish. Auburn’s FFA chapter received the A.W. Nolan Leadership Award at the “gold’’ level, acknowledging its ascent to the level of national leaders in the last two years. Dr. Brian Parr, assistant professor of agriscience education in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, also attended the convention and used the occasion as an opportunity for student recruitment. Parr and the Collegiate FFA members set up an agri- science education booth in an effort to advertise Auburn’s program to prospective undergraduate students and to recruit agriculture teachers for the graduate level distance learning program. The National FFA Convention, held in October 2009, drew more than 55,000 attendees. Founded as the Future Farmers of America, the organization changed its name in 1988 to better reflect the scientific, business and technological aspects of agriculture. The organization strives to increase awareness of the global and technological importance of agriculture and its contributions to society. It also encourages excellence in scholarship and acquaints students with the many career possibilities that exist within agriculture-related fields. Agriscience education majors contribute to Auburn FFA chapter’s success John Murray, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology, was one of 40 students invited to the 2010 David L. Clark National Graduate Student Research Semi- nar in Educational Leadership and Policy. The University Council for Educational Ad- ministration received a record number of student nominations from universities in the U.S. and abroad. The seminar, which was held April 29-30 in conjunction with the American Educational Research Association Annual Conference, brings together emerging educational leadership and policy scholars and researchers for presentations, discussion and professional growth. Murray among select few chosen for national research seminar Molly Plueger and Brook Jackson, both graduate students in the Department of Kinesiology, earned a $1,250 grant from the Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association in 2009 to fund research focusing on aspects of ankle rehabilitation. Their six-week study examined ankle insta- bility with and without the application of an ankle brace. Plueger and Jackson gained insight into why ankle braces are not incor- porated into ankle rehabilitation protocols. The SEATA grant was used for equipment, supplies and participant reimbursement. “With the support from the Department of Kinesiology and the funding from the SEATA research grant, our project will be completed successfully and add to the current athletic training body of knowledge,” said Plueger, a member of Auburn’s gradu- ate athletic training program. Kinesiology grad students share in research grant Student Success
  • 22. Keystone Volume VII, 201020 Student Success Matthew Wayne McLaughlin received a President’s Award as one of Auburn University’s outstanding graduating students. McLaughlin, a native of Brentwood, Tenn., graduated in spring 2009 with a degree in exercise science and is attending medical school. Auburn officials presented the President’s Awards and the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards ceremony in April 2009. Each school and college designates an outstanding graduating student to receive a President’s Award. The awards are given in recognition of the students’ high qualities that “ennoble and beautify living and bind man to man in mutual love and helpfulness.’’ Qualifications include charac- teristics of the heart, mind and conduct. McLaughlin earns President’s Award Carrie McCambridge excelled as a diver at Purdue University, but she’s distinguished herself in the pool of academia since enter- ing the Auburn University Department of Kinesiology’s graduate program. McCambridge, who recently completed a master’s degree in exercise science with a concentration in exercise physiology, was named as one of three recipients for the John Stucky Award presented by the Colle- giate Strength & Conditioning Coaches association  (CSCCa). McCambridge, a native of Lewis Center, Ohio, assists Auburn Olympic sports strength and conditioning coach Bryan Kar- koska ’94 in his work with the swimming and diving team. The other recipients of the 2009 John Stucky Award  were Megan Young, an Auburn Athletic Department employee, and John Patten III of Duke University. The three winners emerged from a field of 80 candidates reviewed by a panel of master strength and conditioning coaches. The award is presented in honor of the late John Stucky, an original board member of the CSCCa who contributed to the field of strength and conditioning as a mentor to an incalculable number of coaches. McCambridge earned the award by virtue of her outstanding performance on the practical portion of the CSCCa certification exam. The panel of master strength and conditioning coaches asks John Stucky Award candidates questions regarding condi- tioning, warm-up, proper strength and conditioning training techniques and other facets of program design essential to the implementation of safe and effective strength and conditioning programs and practices. Kinesiology grad student makes big splash Abby Hamann, a sophomore elementary education major from Peachtree City, Ga., will make a cameo in a new Miley Cyrus motion picture. The movie — “The Last Song” — is sched- uled to hit theaters in April 2010. Look for Hamann near the end (she’ll be giving Cyrus a disapproving look). While Hamann sees the classroom as her future career destination, she’s open to the idea of appear- ing in another movie. How did the opportunity to be in the movie come about? Hamann: A friend of mine told me [last summer] about a new movie being filmed in Tybee Island, Ga., and that they were looking for people to come and be extras in the movie. She told me all I had to do was send some information about myself and a picture to one of the casting directors and they would contact us if they wanted to use us. So after doing this, I received a call a few weeks later from a casting director asking if I could be in Tybee Island the next day. They liked my picture for a role, but didn’t exactly tell me what I would be doing until I arrived there. What sort of scene are you in? Hamann: I was actually lucky enough to be in a scene with Mi- ley Cyrus, who plays the leading role in the movie. In the scene, myself and another girl are standing on the beach near the water talking. Miley is walking toward us wearing a strange outfit so the girl and I laugh at her and give her mean looks as she walks by us. Have you ever done any acting before? And, based on this, would you consider future opportunities? Hamann: This is the first time I have ever really done any acting. I had such a good time doing it, though, that I would love to do something like this again. It was a childhood dream of mine to be an actress, so to get to do something like this was so exciting and I learned a lot about how movies are made. What are your career plans after graduation? Hamann: I am an elementary education major, so after gradua- tion I plan on being a teacher. However, if I ever got the oppor- tunity to do more acting, I would love to. Elementary Ed major makes appearance in Miley movie ©2010 Touchstone Pictures. All rights reserved.
  • 23. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 21 Student Leaders Learn more about the Student Council by visiting education.auburn.edu/studentcouncil Learn more about the Graduate Student Ambassadors by visiting grad.auburn.edu Amanda Gluckman President Senior Elementary Education Allison Pendleton Secretary Sophomore Pre-Early Childhood Education Lauren Leach Vice President Senior Elementary Education Dori Dobbs Activities Chair Sophomore English Language Arts Education Abby Sibley Service Project Chair Junior Early Childhood Education Barbara Jane Hall Publicity Chair Junior Elementary Education Blakely Barnett Assistant Service Project Chair Junior Elementary Education Emily Duke Camp War Eagle Liaison Junior Elementary Education Christen Holmes War on Hunger Representative Senior English Language Arts Education Maysaa Barakat Administration of Supervision and Curriculum Evelyn Cage Counseling Psychology Holly Brigman Rehabilitation and Special Education Brittney Herring Elementary Education Christy Lock Administration of Higher Education John Murray Administration of Supervision and Curriculum Elisha Martin Administration of Elementary and Secondary Education Danielle Smith Administration of Higher Education Eight College of Education students have been named Graduate Student Ambassadors for 2009-2010. The group actively recruits new students for Auburn University’s Graduate School. In order to become a Graduate Student Ambassador, a candidate must possess a 3.5 grade point average or better and excellent com- munication skills. Ambassadors participate in at least one recruiting event per year and serve as a point of contact for prospective graduate students. The College of Education Student Council promotes camaraderie between students in the College of Education and develops outreach and service projects. The group works closely with Dr. Peggy Dagley, director of Professional Education Services. The Student Council has recently funded several projects on behalf of the Auburn VOICES program (see article, page 42), which mobilizes College of Education student organizations for advocacy and outreach. The council has supported Auburn VOICES’ efforts to donate educational resources for school children in Notasulga (Ala.) Schools. College well represented among Graduate Student Ambassadors 2009-2010 Student Council Student Organizations The College of Education features more than 15 student organizations devoted to the development of professional expertise and leadership skills and the pursuit of academic excellence. In addition to bringing students with similar academic and career interests together, these groups often participate in service learning activities. To learn more about these groups, visit the “Students’’ section of education.auburn.edu.
  • 24. Keystone Volume VII, 201022 While folks may have a hard time pointing out Oneonta, Ala., on a map, pointing out Rachel Anderson might be much easier to do. She’s one of the students walking backwards around campus with an expectant group of prospective freshmen and their parents following her. Anderson, a 2007 graduate of Oneonta High School and a current junior in elementary education, has served as president of the college’s Student Ambassadors since spring 2009. While appointments to the post of president are typically for an aca- demic year, she helped fill the term of the previous president who began her full-time internship during that semester. “One of my favorite things about ambassadors is getting to meet all of the amazing and influential people that affect our college,’’ Anderson said. “Being an ambassador has given me the opportunity to meet and get to know past educators, which allows me to grow from their experiences and learn information to help me in my future career as an educator.’’ Her work with Student Ambassadors is just one of the du- ties on campus that keeps her occupied when she’s not in class or completing her pre-teaching responsibilities at Dean Road Elementary School. Anderson has, for the past two years, also provided campus tours as one of 60 Auburn University student recruiters in the Office of Undergraduate Recruitment. Rain or shine, Rachel has been among the first Auburn faces many pro- spective students see. She has also served as assistant director for a freshman SGA program that emphasizes community service and has been a part of two honor societies. “I have loved having the opportunity to share my love of Auburn with others,’’ she said. “I hope that my love of Auburn shines through in my tours and attracts other students to come to the Plains.’’ Anderson comes from an Auburn family, which includes her mother, Beverly Bains Anderson ’80, who earned a bachelor’s in early childhood education, and her father, Keith Anderson ’79, who earned a bachelor’s in finance. Her older sister, Laura Beth Anderson ’06, graduated in elementary education and now teaches in Atlanta. Anderson expects to graduate in May 2011. “I am hoping to find a teaching position in the Southeast where I can use all of my knowledge that I have gained from Auburn to mold young children’s lives,’’ Anderson said. Student Leaders Bridgette Michelle Burton ’09 and Laura Elizabeth Groves ’09 earned their places at the head of the class during the 2009 academic year. Both students served as graduation marshals for the College of Education. Each semester, college administra- tors select a student to carry the College of Education banner ahead of their graduating peers at the start of commencement ceremonies. Burton, from Lineville, Ala., served as the college’s marshal during the summer 2009 commencement. She earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary social science edu- cation with a major in history. Groves, an elementary educa- tion major from Birmingham, served as marshal in fall 2009. Burton, Groves lead the way at graduation Seventeen College of Education students were among the Auburn undergraduate and graduate students recommended by the Dean of Students office for inclusion in the 2009-2010 Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. Rec- ommendations are made by institutions based on such factors as grade point average, leadership and participation on campus and in the community. Rachel Anderson junior elementary education Kathleen Boehme junior early childhood education Rebecca Bowers junior early childhood education Sarah Cotton senior early childhood education Tylon Crook doctoral candidate counselor education Megan Dixon master’s student higher education administration Madison Farish senior early childhood education Pamela Goodson senior secondary mathematics education Laurel Kostakis junior rehabilitation services Elizabeth McFarling senior secondary mathematics education Alexa Miranda senior exercise science John Murphy senior exercise science Lindsay Phillips senior elementary education Mallory Sigle Senior Exercise science Alli Smalley junior early childhood education Grace Sooter senior exercise science Brennan Wade senior secondary mathematics education Education students selected for Who’s Who Anderson excels in leadership roles
  • 25. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 23 Rachel Anderson Junior Elementary Education Oneonta, Ala. Sam Logan Doctoral student Exercise Science North East, Md. Kara Delvizis Senior, Social Science Education Franklin, Tenn. Emily Duke Junior Elementary Education Madison, Ala. Elizabeth Pressler Senior Science Education Hoover, Ala. Kimberly Wasserburger Senior Rehabilitation Services Hartselle, Ala. Emily Crane Sophomore Elementary Education Franklin, Tenn. Meredith McCoy Senior Mathematics Education Lanett, Ala. Katie Freeman Senior Elementary Education Huntsville, Ala. Elise Schupp Senior Elementary Education Franklin, Tenn. Bonnie Dean Senior, Social Science Education Franklin, Tenn. Katie Oliver Senior, Early Childhood Education Lanett, Ala. Sarah Houghton Sophomore Elementary Education Alpharetta, Ga. Andrea Sumner Doctoral student Exercise Science Springfield, Va. Victoria Barron Sophomore Elementary Education Birmingham, Ala. Brittny Mathies Doctoral candidate Educational Psychology New Orleans, La. Adam Elder Senior Mathematics Education Madison, Ala. Julie Rush Senior, Early Childhood Education Lineville, Ala. Claire Wilkinson Senior, Early Childhood Special Education Selma, Ala. Abigail Cutchen Sophomore Elementary Education Birmingham, Ala Lucille Mosley Sophomore, English Language Arts Education Daphne, Ala. Lora Haghighi Master’s student Elementary Education Pelham, Ala. Jessica Stuckey Junior Elementary Education Huntsville, Ala. Anna Curl Junior Exercise Science Decatur, Ala. Erin Meriwether Senior Social Science Education Cullman, Ala. Taylor Gunter Junior Exercise Science Montgomery, Ala. Grace Sooter Senior Exercise Science Homewood, Ala. Bailey Debardeleben Junior Elementary Education Prattville, Ala. Shannon Perman Senior, Social Science Education Kenosha, Wis. Allyson Houlton Junior Elementary Education Grady, Ala. Jill Sutton Junior, English Language Arts Education Trussville, Ala. Student Ambassadors Learn more about the college’s Student Ambassadors at education.auburn.edu/ambassadors
  • 26. Keystone Volume VII, 201024 In speaking on behalf of the recipients during the Eighth Annual College of Education Scholarship Awards Ceremony, Lorie Johnson explained how the generosity of donors becomes exponential and everlasting. The endowment of a scholarship or the establishment of an annual award becomes multiplicative in nature because the donor isn’t simply assisting in the formation of a future educator through his or her gift. “You give vicariously to all of those students they will teach,’’ said Johnson, a doctoral candidate in reading education and recipient of the Albert Hamilton Collins Annual Graduate Fellowship. Thanks to the giving spirit of its alumni and friends, the College of Education awarded more than 150 scholarships for the second consecutive year. With the help of new donors and its portfolio of existing endow- ments, the College of Education continued to create new opportuni- ties for its students in the way of 168 undergraduate scholarships, graduate assistantships, fellowships and awards. This year, the col- lege awarded more than $329,000 — $25,000 more than it granted in 2008. The total includes 141 undergraduate scholarships and 27 graduate awards, building on last year’s previously unprecedented total of 130 scholarships and 20 graduate awards worth $277,000. The college hosted 525 students, parents and donors at its annual scholarship ceremony and reception held in August 2009. Johnson, who earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a master’s in reading education from Auburn, said the scholarships play a critical role in training educators to meet the challenges presented by an evolving world and the needs of children who are increasingly technology savvy and dependent. “Teachers are trying to reach and teach students to prepare for a future that we know won’t look like the present,’’ Johnson said. “Teachers have a tremendous charge to keep. They have to reach children who have been wired from birth and have more friends on Facebook than they have in real life.’’ Dr. Ron Saunders ’70, superintendent of Barrow County (Ga.) Schools and a member of the College of Education’s National Advisory Council, knows that aspiring educators must be ready to engage audiences that can be prone to technological distractions. Saunders, who spoke on behalf of scholarship donors at ceremony, said his family has remained steadfast in its support of the college because its graduates will shape the learning of future generations. “Helping young people join the teaching profession is a Cloud 9 experience,’’ said Saunders, who presented the Robert L. Saunders Endowed Scholarship in memory of his father, who like him is a College of Education graduate and a one-time member of the col- lege’s advisory council. The college’s ability to grow scholarship opportunities, as well as future teachers, hasn’t gone unnoticed by the parents of cur- rent students. Greg Duke, whose daughter, Emily, was a recipient of The Patrons of the Keystone-Dean’s Circle Annual Scholarship, expressed appreciation tinged with humor in speaking on behalf of parents during the ceremony. “The scholarship provides us with much-needed funds,’’ Duke said. “We’re a bit of an anachronism. We’re a single-income family. I make the money, and they spend it.’’ In a time of economic uncertainty, when stock prices have plummeted and investors have found themselves at the mercy of an unpredictable market, there remains one economic safe haven. “When you invest in teachers and students, it’s always a safe bet,’’ Johnson said. College of Education awards 168 scholarships for 2009-2010  Scholarship Ceremony New forms of support The College of Education offered six new scholarships and assistantships in 2009: Alabama Association of Conservation Districts Auxiliary Endowed Scholarship Arthur and Ruth Coss Graduate Award Kenny Howard Annual Graduate Assistantship Evelyn Moore Endowed Scholarship Dr. Brett Stark, DPM, PC, Annual Graduate Assistantship in Kinesiology Lila L. White Annual Graduate Assistantship The college awarded $25,000 more in scholarships than it did in 2008.
  • 27. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 25 Kathy Robinson Counselor Education Lindsay Robinson Collaborative Teacher Special Education Awards and Recognition Ceremony To view a photo gallery of the 29th Annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony, visit education.auburn.edu/gallery Theresa McCormick Emily and Gerald Leischuck Outstanding Undergraduate Faculty Teaching Award Curriculum and Teaching Kathryn Burnett Outstanding Staff Award Administrative/ Professional Professional Education Services Jared Russell Faculty Award for Outstanding Commitment to Diversity Kinesiology John Quindry Outstanding Faculty Award for Research Kinesiology Elaine Prust Staff Award for Outstanding Commitment to Diversity Curriculum and Teaching JoEllen Sefton Emily and Gerald Leischuck Outstanding Graduate Faculty Teaching Award Kinesiology Thomas Flowers Outstanding Staff Award Office Administration Learning Resources Center DaShaunda Patterson Outstanding Faculty Early Career Award Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology John Saye Outstanding Faculty Award for Outreach Curriculum and Teaching Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology Department of Curriculum and Teaching Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology Department of Kinesiology Outstanding Undergraduate Student Karen McIntosh Music Education Ceren Yarar Neuromechanics Lamont Maddox Social Science Education John Holley II Exercise Science Ruthanna Payne Administration of Higher Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Outstanding Undergraduate Student Outstanding Graduate Student Outstanding Graduate Student Outstanding Graduate Student Outstanding Graduate Student Now in its 29th year, the Spring Awards Ceremony allows the College of Education to recognize the students, faculty members and staff deemed “out- standing’’ during the 2009-10 academic year. The ceremony was held March 30. Each of the college’s four departments selects a graduate student and undergraduate student for outstanding student awards. The recipients are selected by department heads with input from faculty members. College-wide faculty and staff award nominations are submitted by individuals in the college and are considered by an awards committee. The awards committee also reviews nominations for two additional awards that salute outstanding work in undergraduate and graduate teaching. Student Award Recipients Faculty and Staff Award Recipients Spring awards ceremony spotlights high achievers
  • 28. Keystone Volume VII, 201026 It’s 0-dark-30 on Sand Hill, an appropriately named training ground where granules get into the socks of visitors and no-nonsense officers get into the faces of soldiers laboring through the last of their pre-dawn push-ups. Members of the U.S. Army’s 192nd Infantry Brigade are up and running before sunrise on this particular morning, as they are every morning, because it’s an inescapable rite of passage during their metamorphosis from civilian to soldier. Their pre-breakfast activities consist of calisthenics — everything from pull-ups to sit-ups — and a muscle-searing exercise in which two-man teams work to flip large truck tires, end over end, from one corner of the training field to the other. A few yards away, Michael Methvin, a first-year student in Auburn University’s post-certi- fication graduate athletic training program, scans the group for signs of something other than physical exertion. He’s looking for a limp that might allow him to detect a soldier’s ankle sprain, a wince that could betray a pulled muscle. His eyes are wide open for these and other tell-tale clues despite the fact that he’s been up since 2:30 a.m. “I feel accomplished because I’m getting up earlier than the soldiers do,’’ said Methvin, one of seven Auburn students who have been diagnosing, treating and preventing injuries since October as part of the Warrior Athletic Trainer Program, a first-year partnership between the College of Education’s Department of Kinesiology and the 192nd based at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga. Over the course of a year, Auburn’s graduate athletic trainers will help care for an estimated 14,000 soldiers who cycle through Fort Benning for nine weeks of basic combat training or 14 weeks of infantry training. While the injuries will be similar to those experienced by athletes, the work environment is far different than that offered by a football sideline or gymnasium. Graduate athletic trainers keeping Army infantry on the move Research and Outreach Left: Michael Methvin, a first-year student, examines a soldier’s injury during early morning physical training.
  • 29. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 27 Lexi Douglas counsels a soldier on rehabilitating an injury. Research and Outreach The stakes are much higher. “I’ve worked with college and high school athletes,’’ said Lexi Douglas, a first-year graduate student. “Not to diminish them in any way, but you get them [healthy] to play a game. You get these guys ready to go fight a war. That has hit home for me. It’s humbling in a way.’’ Many of the troops they treat will eventually land in the hot zones of Afghanistan and Iraq. Their early mornings on Sand Hill harden their bodies and galvanize their resolve, but even the hardiest former athlete can have his training derailed by an awkward landing off an obstacle course wall. Even the most innocuous injury can cost a soldier and the Army dearly in terms of lost time and money. Saving time and money One soldier’s visit to a troop medical clinic costs $250. A medical clinic visit could also steal away valuable hours that could be spent training since it’s not uncommon for a soldier to wait several hours for treatment at a facility whose practitio- ners are often overloaded with patients. It’s no wonder that Lt. Col. Dean Weiler, com- mander of the 192nd’s 2nd Battalion 54th Regi- ment, and Maj. Todd Burkhardt, the battalion’s executive officer, reached out to Auburn’s gradu- ate athletic training program in early 2009. As the Army emphasizes the training of its personnel as soldier-athletes, the concept of on-site diagnosis and treatment of injuries by athletic trainers has gained traction. After seeing how Fort Jackson utilized athletic trainers from nearby University of South Caroli- na, Burkhardt wanted to find similar resources for Fort Benning. He and Dr. JoEllen Sefton, director of Auburn’s Neuromechanics Research Laborato- ry and coordinator of its Graduate Athletic Train- ing program, quickly established the framework for a partnership. The Army invested more than
  • 30. Keystone Volume VII, 201028 $219,000 to fund the inaugural year. “It wasn’t too hard to determine that Auburn would be a valuable asset to us,’’ Burkhardt said. “For this type of program to be successful, it had to be somehow coupled with a major univer- sity that had the resources in terms of manpower but also the expertise and research capability, which you’re not go- ing to find with adhoc athletic trainers from a hospital or private practice.’’ Weiler said the presence of Auburn University graduate students has proven invaluable since many recruits receive a shock to the system dur- ing the early stages of basic training. The people that Weiler described as the “seeds for the whole Army’’ are expected to grow up in a hurry. “The biggest issue we have is taking someone who has done nothing in terms of physical activity and making them do all of the stuff that we do every day,’’ he said. “PT, to these guys, is the hard- est stuff they’ve ever done. Their bodies are not accustomed to that. It takes six to eight weeks for real physical adaptation to take place.’’ Treatment and prevention With the sudden increase in physical activity comes stress fractures, sprains and contusions. The Auburn students quickly diagnose and treat soldiers who sustain injuries during PT, taping soldiers’ ankles, stretching their arms and legs and prescribing follow-up rehabilitation and treat- ments as needed. By seeing the warning signs in some soldiers, they’re able to prevent a minor discomfort from flaring up into a major injury. “With every activity, there are going to be inju- ries of a certain type,’’ Methvin said. “In basketball, you might see more shoulder injuries. Here, you see a little bit of everything. It’s a lot different than what we’re normally used to seeing. “We have more people that we have to [care for] compared to the average athletic trainer. We have a battalion, which can be up to 5,000 soldiers. You don’t have the luxury of being able to take your sweet time.’’ While the Auburn students have learned plenty working in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment, officers in the 192nd have received an education as well. Student trainers have helped them learn how to recognize which of their sol- diers are working through pain and how to under- stand how certain injuries can affect performance. “It’s heightened awareness in the cadre,’’ Weiler said. “They’re making these guys get help before they get hurt so we’ll keep them in training as opposed to having to send them home and restart them and keep them here for nine months as op- posed to 14 weeks. “People say it’s like $30,000 to train one of these guys. All we have to do is save a couple of them and the program is paying for itself.’’ Mutual benefits The payoff for the Army and for Auburn Univer- sity students is reciprocal. Weiler said Auburn’s Department of Kinesiology has “endless’’ potential to help because of its faculty and graduate student expertise in the areas of gait analysis, injury pre- vention, nutrition and physiology. The benefits for Auburn students are obvious. “It’s a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience in the military environment, which we see as an expanding professional environment for a certified athletic trainer,’’ Sefton said. “They see different situations, different injuries here than they would anywhere else. It’s a more stressful environment, a more serious environment.’’ And it’s an entirely different environment from what most of them had ever previously encoun- tered. The students who worked five days a week with the 192nd in the fall — Methvin, Douglas, Masa Mizutani, Eileen Strube, Stasia Burroughs, Laura Waples and Marie Lackamp — all adjusted to waking up in the wee hours, driving the 45 minutes from Auburn to Columbus, Ga., from the Central to the Eastern time zone in pitch dark- ness, putting in a full workday before most college students even think about getting out of bed and then driving back to Auburn for classes. continued Masa Mizutani (left) works with a member of the cadre. Maj. Todd Burkhardt (center) visits with Drs. Mary Rudisill and JoEllen Sefton.
  • 31. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 29 “I used to be a bit of a night owl,’’ Douglas said. “At first, it was strange waking up and not seeing the sun. There’s nobody on the road. I want lunch at 9:30 or 10 [a.m.] and I need to go to bed at 6 [p.m.].’’ For all of the hours of sleep Douglas and her classmates have lost, they realize they’ve gained ex- perience that will serve them well in their careers and provided a valuable service in the process. “I ended up at Auburn because I heard about this program,’’ Douglas said. “The athletic training program had the education I wanted and [the Fort Benning partnership] was a chance to be a part of something new and exciting. Being able to be a part of the foundation, I think, is what I value most out of it. There’s no substitute for that kind of experience at all.’’ Lt. Col. Dean Weiler (right) discusses the benefits of having on-site trainers. Research and Outreach Brett Mixon isn’t kidding when he says, “there’s just not much I have in com- mon with the typical 18-year-old coming out of high school.’’ A little more than a year ago, Mixon was a U.S. Marine infantryman patrol- ling the streets in and around Fallujah, Iraq, and searching for improvised explosive devices. These days, he’s an Auburn University undergraduate and a member of a rapidly growing student population. University administrators across the nation expect to see more military veterans on their campuses, thanks to a revised and more generous GI Bill that went into effect in 2009 and an influx of men and women returning from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. “We have approximately 250 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans at Auburn right now, but we expect up to 300 in the fall [of 2010],’’ said Dr. David DiRamio, assistant professor of higher education administration and co-author of the book “Creating a Veteran-Friendly Campus: Strategies for Transi- tion and Success.” DiRamio, a Navy veteran, has followed through with the title of his book by helping Auburn create a Veterans Learning Community. In addition to assisting student-vet- erans, the learning community offers DiRamio a research opportunity for gaining insight into their learning habits and academic and social needs. Open to students who have fulfilled their service obligations or are active duty or National Guard, the learning community will help 20 to 25 students make the transition from the military to a university setting beginning in fall 2010. The group will take multiple courses together, including English composition, world history, music appreciation and principles of microeconomics. “No matter our age, how long we served, or even prior education before our military careers, we could all use a little kick-start to get back into the swing of things in college,’’ said Ben Manzano, a social science education major from Birmingham who served a four-year, 10-month tour with the 11th Marine Regi- ment in Iraq’s Al-Anbar Province. “The hardest part of the transition from mili- tary to college life is just becoming accustomed to being completely in control of your own life again.’’ Manzano and Mixon took a pilot course — “Success Strategies for Veterans’’ — taught by DiRamio in fall 2009. The course deepens student-veterans’ under- standing of the learning process and the role higher education plays in shaping their lives. “One of the most critical factors is peer support,’’ DiRamio said. “They’re the ones who are going to make it work.’’ Mixon said the Veterans Learning Community adds to Auburn’s proud legacy as a place where veterans feel welcomed and encouraged to excel. “It’s very promising to see that Auburn is carrying on her tradition of being veteran-friendly,’’ said Mixon, a business finance major from Clarkesville, Ga. DiRamio helping Auburn solidify veteran-friendly reputation
  • 32. Keystone Volume VII, 201030 With his oversized red sweater and rumbling greet- ing of “Hey, hey, hey,’’ Fat Albert ambled into the living rooms of American children in the early 1970s as a jovial presence who loved chowing down on a good burger, playing sports and making music on instruments cobbled together from junk yard remnants. Created by Dr. Bill Cosby, “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids’’ represented an animated  representation of the comedian’s childhood experiences in Philadelphia. Fat Albert and his friends, from wise-cracking Rudy to pink ski mask-wearing Dumb Donald, transcended the stereotypical cartoon shtick of slapstick humor during its 109-episode run from 1972 to 1984. “There are some very strong moral tones in it,’’ said Dr. Octavia Tripp, assistant professor of elementary education in the Depart- ment of Curriculum and Teaching. “At the end of each episode, there was a lesson to be learned.’’ Tripp joined the discussion of how the cartoon and its lessons are relevant to both students and teachers during the “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids Character Education Partnership Sum- mit’’ held in Washington, D.C., in May 2009. Dr. Marilyn Irving, an associate professor in How- ard University’s School of Education, invited Tripp to give a presentation on the TV show’s handling of self-es- teem related topics. Tripp explored an episode in which a character named “Pee-Wee’’ is excluded from playing basketball because of his lack of height. Pee-Wee later becomes a star of a neighborhood football game because he proves he can kick a football better than any of the older children. “It talks about differences and feelings and, at the end, it talked about looking at your strengths,’’ Tripp said. “Pee-Wee’s strength was that he could kick a football. They began to accept him and it left a message that, no matter who you are, you have something that you can offer.’’ While at the summit, Tripp met Cosby, the actor, author and activist who earned his doctorate at the University of Massachusetts in 1976 and based his dissertation on the incorporation of “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids’’ into elementary school curriculum as a teaching aid. Recently, the cartoon has been used as a teaching tool in D.C.-area schools for grades K-5 and has spawned Character Leadership Clubs, collectives of students who look for solutions to such problems as bullying and intolerance. During its heyday, the cartoon explored a variety of themes, from “puppy love’’ and stage fright to the dangers of gun violence and crime. As Cosby lyrically told viewers of the show during its opening, “This is Bill Cosby coming at you with music and fun, and if you’re not careful you may learn something before it’s done.’’ Cosby spent one morning at the summit meeting with children and teachers and learning what they were doing to make their schools better places. “I saw him talking with children about what they were doing in their schools,’’ Tripp said. “He gave a very dynamic speech — not only about kids being strong, but he also talked to the teachers in the audience. These kids have come together to identify problems and help other kids see that it’s not good to tease.’’ Tripp said aspiring teachers can learn as much from “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids’’ as young children. She said the cartoon provides lessons on understanding children, their insecurities and fears as well as what inspires them to learn. Tripp is hopeful that the character development and social responsibility themes ex- plored by “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids’’ can eventually become a part of the K-5 curriculum in area classrooms. Dr. Octavia Tripp (middle) watches Bill Cosby engage his fans. Tripp explores lessons contained in Cosby’s cartoons Research and Outreach
  • 33. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 31 Research and Outreach Music Education program strikes right chord with Tiger Strings orchestra As much as Kathy King enjoys playing the piano and teaching others how to play it, she regrets not having picked up a violin, cello or viola during her childhood. “I learned to play a string instrument five years ago and loved it so much that I wish someone had told me about it when I was little,’’ said King, a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Cur- riculum and Teaching. While King waited to pick up a stringed instrument, she’s doing her part to ensure musicians in the community develop their affinity and aptitudes for them at an early age. As director of Tiger Strings, a first-year initiative sponsored by the Music Education program in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, King works with 30 musicians in grades 2-12. The community orchestra includes 22 violinists, five cellists, two bassists and a violist. Tiger Strings performed a free public concert in December 2009 in Auburn’s Goodwin Music Building Choir Room. The orchestra played folk, baroque and Celtic pieces, as well as selections from “The Nutcracker.’’ Although the Tiger Strings program has only been in existence since September 2009, its members all have at least one year of ex- perience playing their respective instruments. In order to qualify for inclusion in Tiger Strings, prospective members must complete an audition and interview process, submit a teacher recommendation form, provide their own instrument, have completed Suzuki Book 1 or an equivalent and be willing to practice at home. The membership fee is $75 per semester, although families with more than one orchestra member pay $50 per child. During a typical rehearsal, the musicians practice for 30 minutes in their individual sections and then work as a group for another hour. King said the Tiger Strings program has made an incredible amount of progress in short time. “We were trying to come up with something that would absolutely include every child who wanted to play in an orchestra and would teach them about being in an orchestra and foster awareness about string playing,’’ King said. “Basically, we’re learning as we go. Some of them are very young, but they have been doing great.’’ Tiger Strings strives to provide string students to learn their craft in a supportive environment, supplement any training they receive from private lessons and build their enthusiasm for making music in a group setting. Dr. Kimberly Walls, professor and program coordinator of Music Education, said she has been encouraged by the participation level. “We hope that it will grow and expand and start branching out into the schools too,’’ Walls said. “We want this to be for East Alabama.’’ Kathy King works with more than 30 musicians in grades 2-12. Two COE faculty members receive Outreach Scholarship Grants Two College of Education faculty members recently received competitive Outreach Scholarship Grants from Auburn University’s Office of the Vice President for University Outreach in May 2009. Dr. DaShaunda Patterson received a $15,000 grant for her project, “Alabama Partnership for Research and Training on Positive Academic and Behavior Supports.’’ Patterson, an assistant professor in the Depart- ment of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology, is continuing a partnership between Auburn University and the Alabama State Department of Education. The collaboration involves research, training and technical assistance on school-wide academic and behavior sup- port for K-12 public schools in East and Central Alabama. Dr. Carolyn Wallace, an associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, received $9,668 for “Preservice Science Teach- ers Volunteering in an After-School Program: Service Learning through Environmental Education Projects.’’ Wallace’s project offers graduate students enrolled in an alternative master’s and certification program in secondary science opportunities to interact with children in the Opelika after-school program.
  • 34. Keystone Volume VII, 201032 Research and Outreach College, Loachapoka students both learn from summer program Rather than jumping right in, Tykeria Dowdell and many of her classmates in Loachapoka’s 21st Century Community Learning Center Summer Enrichment Program took a cautious approach to swimming lessons. There were more than a few furtive glances cast at the instruc- tional pool inside Auburn University’s James E. Martin Aquatic Center and some tentative early exploration of it. Some children started by dipping a toe into the water. Others, like Dowdell, were more than a little anxious about what would happen once they were in it. Would they really have to learn how to put their heads underwater? “That’s really normal when you’re a kid and haven’t had the experience before,’’ said Maria Morera, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Kinesiology who led the K-8 students through swim- ming lessons in July 2009. “The pool looks like an ocean to them.’’ But, in addition to the enhancing the educational experiences of nearly 50 students, Loachapoka’s six-week Summer Enrichment Pro- gram challenges them to step outside their respective comfort zones. So elementary school students who have never taken art classes are encouraged to pick up paint brushes. Kids who would turn their noses up at vegetables learn to how to grow them. And others, who had yet to learn how to dog paddle, gradually dip their heads under- water with noses held and eyes closed as their swim instructors — the majority of whom are students in Auburn’s College of Education — reassured them that everything would be OK. Eventually, students like Dowdell overcame their initial fears well enough to take the plunge, open their eyes and enjoy the view below the surface. “One of my rules is to erase ‘I can’t’ from your head and use ‘I’ll try,’’’ Morera said. “I love it when they say, ‘Hey, look at me, I did it.’ My satisfaction is when they show me they are able do it.’’ The College of Education has been actively involved in helping students approach challenges with a “can-do’’ spirit. In the Summer Enrichment program, eight students from the Department of Spe- cial Education, Reha- bilitation, Counseling/ School Psychology com- pleted teaching prac- tica requirements while providing academic and behavioral support. The college’s presence in the school is year-round and multifaceted. Students from the De- partment of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology assist after-school program participants with homework, reading and recreational activities. The Music Education program provides support on multiple fronts, from lessons in elementary classrooms to musical composition exercises and instrumental instruction at the high school level. Elementary school students also receive tutoring from reading education students. In some cases, Auburn students find cause to redefine their career goals. Erica Del Greco, a senior early childhood education major from Birmingham, Ala., and Margaret Sherrod, a senior early childhood and special education major from Montgomery, Ala.,worked together to help fourth- to eighth-graders strengthen their spelling and writing. “I’d never gotten to work with kids this age,’’ Del Greco said. “It’s neat that they have such a variety of grade levels. It took me out of my comfort zone, and now I’m contemplating going back for a degree in elementary education.’’ Other students, including Morgan Lenz, a senior agriscience education major from Gulf Shores, Ala., enjoyed spending portions of their day working with a curious and highly energetic group of elementary schoolers. “I think it’s opened my eyes and helped me a lot in preparing for my internship in the fall,’’ said Lenz, who will teach in Tallassee (Ala.) High School’s agriscience department. After six weeks, it’s fair to say Lenz and Dowdell attached the same description to an experience that proved to be a learning expe- rience for them and so many others: eye-opening. Loachapoka students receive instruction in everything from reading to swimming. “I love it when they say, ‘Hey, look at me, I did it.’ My satisfaction is when they show me they can do it.’’ Maria Morera, doctoral candidate, Kinesiology
  • 35. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 33 Research and Outreach Without a $1 million gift from 1968 Education graduates Wayne T. and Cheryl Glass Smith, the college’s Office of Research and Innovation might still exist a concept rather than a resource that helps faculty identify, cultivate and pursue government and private research funding. And, without an Office of Research and Innovation, Saye and the five regional school districts he repre- sented in a “Teaching American History’’ grant proposal might not have received $999,957 in funding from the U.S. Department of Education. “We would not have gotten this Teaching American History grant without that office,’’ said Saye, a professor of social science and co-director of the Persistent Issues in History Network. “There was just entirely too much [to do]. This was a huge un- dertaking with five school systems and having to coordinate all of that paperwork and get federal paperwork done. I could not have done this one without that institutional support.’’ Directed by Rodney Greer, who joined the college at the beginning of the 2008-09 academic year, the Office of Research and Innovation has enabled the college to rev up its pursuit of extramural funding opportunities for research efforts. Between July 2008 and July 2009, faculty members submitted 40 grant proposals — an 80-percent increase over submissions for the same period from 2007-08. It more than doubled the college’s seven-year average of 15.5 submitted grant proposals per year. Research in reviewFaculty revving up grant activity When asked to assess the value of the College of Education’s Office of Research and Innovation, Dr. John Saye takes a moment to think of the numerous hours of planning and paperwork involved in bringing his most recent grant to fruition. Top: Rodney Greer (left) helps Dr. John Saye work through the details of his “Teaching American History’’ grant.
  • 36. Keystone Volume VII, 201034 Faculty sought more than $20.3 million in first-year extramural funding from various sources during that July 2008 to July 2009 reporting period, well above the college’s seven-year average of $3.04 million in requested first-year funding. From the submissions made during the reporting period, the college has been notified of 12 funded proposals for a total award amount of $4.88 million and $6.19 million in total project costs. Some of the college’s funded research and outreach highlights from the last year include: Sleep deprivation research Collaboration between faculty members in the College of Educa- tion and the College of Human Sciences will be strengthened by a $3.8-million National Institutes of Health grant over five years. Dr. Joseph Buckhalt, Wayne T. Smith distin- guished professor in the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology, and Dr. Mona El-Sheikh, an alumni professor in the College of Human Sciences’ Department of Human Development and Fam- ily Studies, are exploring the cause-and-effect relationship between sleep deprivation and behavioral and learning problems in children. Over the course of their research, entitled “Developmental Trajectories of Children’s Sleep and Development,’’ children’s sleep patterns will be monitored by small devices called “octographs.’’ The devices will monitor sleep, as well as tossing and turning and periods of interruption. The researchers will monitor more than 400 children from the Lee County region. Disabilities education Dr. Cari Dunn, professor of special education, serves as a co-principal investigator for a project involving Auburn University, Auburn Univer- sity Montgomery, Alabama State University, Tuskegee University, the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, two community colleges and six East Central Alabama school districts. A $3-million Research in Disabilities Education grant from the National Science Foundation will provide funding for the Alabama Alliance for Students with Disabilities in Science, Technology, Engi- neering and Mathematics (AASD-STEM). The goal of the project is to increase the quantity and quality of students with disabilities receiving associate, baccalaureate and graduate degrees in STEM disciplines. Training teachers to be leaders TEAM-Math (Transforming East Alabama Mathematics), a partnership comprised of Auburn’s College of Education and College of Science and Mathematics, Tuskegee University and 15 regional school districts, received a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foun- dation’s Robert Noyce Scholarship Program. Led by Drs. Gary Martin and Marilyn Strutchens, its co-directors and distinguished mathematics education professors, TEAM- Math is providing advanced degree and professional development opportunities for 22 educators through the Teacher Leader Academy for Elementary Mathematics Specialists. Rehabilitation Counseling expands reach The Rehabilitation Counseling master’s program landed two major grants in 2009 — a five-year, $1 million Comprehensive System of Personnel Development grant from the Rehabilitation Services Ad- ministration and a five-year, $750,000 grant from the U.S. Depart- ment of Education. The RSA grant allows the program to provide scholarships for 14 working rehabilitation counselors interested in obtaining their master’s degrees without relocating or interrupting their everyday work. It also enables the rehabilitation counseling master’s program to leverage new technological devices as teaching tools and as a means of serving students with disabilities. Dr. Randall McDaniel, Wayne T. Smith distinguished professor of rehabilitation, applied for the grant. The USDE grant applied for by Dr. E. Davis Martin, chair of the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/ School Psychology and Wayne T. Smith distinguished professor, enables the program to provide tuition and living expenses for eight students interested in vocational rehabilitation. Relating the past to the present The Teaching American History grant Saye submitted on behalf of Alexander City, Phenix City, Tallapoosa County and Lee County (Ala.) schools will provide resources for boosting student achieve- ment and teacher knowledge in the subject area. The project, “Plowing Freedom’s Ground,’’ provides teachers in grades 4-12 with enhanced historical content knowledge, inquiry
  • 37. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 35 strategies and interactive Web-based tools to engage their students in the study of five historical periods: Revolution and the New Nation, Expansion and Reform, Civil War and Reconstruction, the Develop- ment of Modern America and Contemporary America. Building literacy A $99,000 grant from the Alabama Commission on Higher Educa- tion will enable Auburn faculty members to build on the success of a reading improvement program implemented in Chambers County (Ala.) high schools. The grant provides a second year of funding for the Strategic TIPS in Reading program, a project involving faculty in the College of Education and the College of Liberal Arts, the Auburn University Montgomery School of Education and the Alabama Reading Initiative. Dr. Edna Brabham, associate professor of reading education in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, submitted the original proposal, which builds on a statewide K-12 initiative designed to improve reading instruction and achieve 100 percent literacy among public school students. Physical activity in rural children Three Department of Kinesiology faculty members — Drs. Mary Rudisill, Leah Robin- son and Danielle Wadsworth — received more than $73,000 from the National Institutes of Health to advance their work examining the influence physical education instructional ap- proaches have on the activity levels of African- American children from rural backgrounds. Guarding against heart attacks A $37,979 grant from the National Institutes of Health will help Dr. John Quindry, assistant professor of exercise science, further understand- ing of heart physiology and biochemistry during heart attacks. His project will increase understanding of why an exercised heart is protected during an attack. Wellness of the elderly Dr. JoEllen Sefton, director of the college’s Neu- romechanics Research Lab and the Post-Certifi- cation Graduate Athletic Training Program, will investigate the ways in which massage therapy influences the physical well-being of the elderly with the help of a $30,000 grant from the Massage Therapy Foundation. Her study will evaluate how massage therapy affects balance, heart rate, spinal responses and blood pressure in the elderly. Eleven faculty members receive COE Seed Grants The college’s Scholarship and Innovation Committee awarded more than $20,000 in college Seed Grant funding to faculty members since April 2009. The faculty members who have received funding are:  • Dr. Bruce Gladden, Department of Kinesiology, “Lactate Preservation of Function during Hypo- glycemia for Potential Cancer Treatment” • Dr. Daniel Henry, Department of Educational Foun- dations, Leadership and Technology, “Project RISE (Resiliency in Schools Everywhere)” • Drs. Lisa Kensler, Lynne Patrick and Ellen Reames, Department of Educational Foundations, Leader- ship and Technology, “Systems Thinking Tools for Improving Data Informed Decisions: A Pilot Study” • Dr. Jada Kohlmeier, Department of Curriculum and Teaching, “Exploring the democratic reasoning of high school seniors through a collaborative com- munity of practice of government teachers” • Dr. Angela Love, Department of Curriculum and Teaching, “Effects of an Early Language and Literacy Intervention on Achievement of Low-to- Moderate Income Prekindergarten Children” • Dr. Deborah Morowski, Department of Curriculum and Teaching, “Implementing Culturally Relevant Teaching through the use of Multi-Cultural Lit- erature: A Study of Teacher Beliefs on Diversity” • Dr. John Quindry, Department of Kinesiology, “Ex- ercise, Spinal Cord Injury, and Remote Precondi- tioning against Heart Attack Damage” • Dr. Leah Robinson, Department of Kinesiology, “Discovering Biological and Psychosocial Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease in High-Risk Pediatric Populations” • Dr. JoEllen Sefton, Department of Kinesiology, “Whole Body Vibration Effects on Cardiovascular Response in Healthy Individuals” The college’s seed grant program was established to as- sist research projects that show promise for future funding. Learn more about about ongoing projects at education.auburn.edu/ research
  • 38. Keystone Volume VII, 201036 Curriculum and Teaching In order to cultivate the next generation of leaders in agricultural production, science, education and agribusiness, the College of Education and College of Agriculture are plant- ing possibilities in the minds of high school students. As a product of its partnership between the two colleges, Auburn University has formed an agriscience education academy that will build student in- terest in related degree programs at the college level and groom future leaders in the field. The two-year project, “MATRIX for the Future: Premier Agriscience Education Acad- emy,’’ was developed by Drs. Brian Parr, an assistant professor of agriscience education in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, and Don Mulvaney, a professor, animal scientist and leadership coordinator for the College of Agriculture. Their initiative is supported by a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Parr and Mulvaney developed the academy as a way of building a better future for agricul- ture regionally and nationally. Declining enroll- ment in agricultural programs at Auburn and at land-grant colleges nationwide, coupled with a shortage of secondary and postsecondary agricultural edu- cators, spurred Parr and Mulvaney into action. They will use the agriscience education academy to encourage high school students to pursue college degrees in agricul- tural disciplines and identify career avenues. “What we have in mind is using it to build leadership capacity in secondary agri- culture students and to also recruit students into our agriscience education pro- gram and into the technical ag programs in the College of Agriculture,’’ Parr said of the program’s goals. Parr said the initiative consists of three pri- mary components, the first of which brought 80 secondary students to Auburn’s campus in No- vember 2009 to gain a firsthand understanding of the university’s agriscience education and ag- ricultural offerings. There will also be a one-day agricultural leadership workshop with sessions hosted in the northern, central and southern regions of the state and a summer academy that will bring students and agriscience education teachers to Au- burn University in June 2010. “We’re going to bring them to campus for five days and four nights and give them extensive leadership training and expose them to agri- science education as a profession and as a ma- jor here at Auburn,’’ Parr said. “They’ll go back to their schools and we’ll implement programs that will be dual-enrolled.’’ Parr and Mulvaney have enlisted Auburn’s Collegiate FFA chapter to hold the statewide leadership workshops for local FFA chapters. The workshops will enable participates to rec- ognize and develop their leadership potential. The summer Agricultural Leadership Education Academy will feature advanced lead- ership instruction, tours of research facilities, preparation for college entrance exams and job interviews and networking opportunities with Auburn faculty and students. College launches agriscience leadership program for high school students Kuehne receives alumni award Dr. Jane Kuehne, assistant professor of music education, received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the Uni- versity of Texas San Antonio during its spring 2009 gradua- tion ceremony. Kuehne earned her undergrad- uate and master’s degrees in music education from UTSA. Her research and outreach interests include computers in music education, improvement of music education for at-risk K-12 students and beginning- level choral sight-singing. Kuehne has also received a number of other honors in the last academic year. In 2009, Kuehne was selected to serve as the conductor for the Georgia Music Educators Association District Three Middle School Honor Choirs. Kuehne selected music and rehearsed the ensemble for a concert at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts in Columbus, Ga. Kuehne also serves as a judge for the Page One Awards, a scholarship competition for West Georgia and East Alabama high school seniors sponsored by the Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer. The scholarship competition includes a category for music students who excel in scholar- ship and service. K E Y N O T E S “We’re going to bring [high school students] to campus ... and give them extensive leadership training.” Dr. Brian Parr
  • 39. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 37 There’s an old saying among math educators that Dr. Gary Martin uses to explain what changes the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics hopes to inspire through its recently-published document on reasoning and problem-solving techniques. Math is not a spectator sport. “You have to do it,’’ said Martin, an Emily R. and Gerald S. Leischuck endowed profes- sor of secondary mathematics education. “You don’t learn how to play the violin by listening to violin music.’’ Martin served as chair of the writing and planning groups for the NCTM document, “Focus in High School Mathematics: Reason- ing and Sense Making,’’ which was published in October 2009 as a follow-up to a 2006 work that offered grade-by-grade content standards in math for pre-K through eighth grade. The 2009 school document outlines ways in which reasoning and sense-making can be promoted in high school mathemat- ics educa- tion. NCTM main- tains that mastering those abilities will better prepare students for careers in math- and science- related occupations. Martin said that students are more likely to be interested in and become proficient at mathematics if they are challenged and become engaged in the how and why of problem-solving. “The point we take in this document, and the point that NCTM has taken since 1980, is that math is about thinking and doing,’’ he said. The release of the document coincided with federal and state policymakers’ efforts to push for more consistency in course mate- rial. Alabama is one of 48 states taking part in “Common Core,’’ an initiative designed to yield common math and language arts standards. Dr. Marilyn Strutchens formulated a blueprint for success for the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) before she began serving as the organization’s president- elect in January 2010. Strutchens, a Mildred Cheshire Fraley dis- tinguished professor of secondary mathematics education in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, identified several goals for AMTE, which works to promote the improve- ment of mathematics teacher education. Her goals include fostering high expecta- tions for teachers and equipping them with the knowledge to support diverse student populations in meeting those goals, providing incentives for junior faculty to remain in math education, leveraging technology in classrooms, building relationships between researchers and practitioners and supporting the development of elementary mathematics specialists and teacher certification. The latter will ensure that elementary students receive fundamental foun- dational knowledge from educators well-versed in the subject who convey material in challeng- ing and innovative ways. AMTE’s membership consists of educators working in K-12 and university settings. Strutchens, who coordinates Auburn University’s secondary mathematics education program, began serving as president-elect after AMTE’s January 2010 conference. She will serve four years total — one as president-elect, two as president and one working with the incoming president-elect. Martin promotes problem-solving approach to math education AMTE names Strutchens as president-elect Leier receives international award for top TESOL article The International English Education Research Associa- tion honored Dr. Robert Leier with its 2009 International Award for Outstanding Teach- ers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Article. Leier, program coordinator for English Speakers of Other Languages education, received the award for an article en- titled, “Assessing ELLS in ESL or Mainstream Classrooms: Quick Fixes for Busy Teach- ers.’’ The article, co-authored with Dr. Laureen Fregeau of the University of South Alabama, appeared in the The Internet TESL Journal. Parr doubles up on journal awards Dr. Brian Parr, assistant professor of agricultural education, received Author of the Year honors from two different publications during May 2009 conferences. The Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education and the Journal of Agricultural Education each named Parr as their 2008 Au- thor of the Year on the basis of work that appeared in the respective publications. The Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Edu- cation honored Parr for an ar- ticle on agricultural education issues in the former Soviet republic of Georgia. His other award resulted from an article on agricultural mechanics. K E Y N O T E S Curriculum and Teaching
  • 40. Keystone Volume VII, 201038 Kraska wins outstanding manuscript award Dr. Marie Kraska, a Mildred Cheshire Fraley distinguished professor in the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology, has earned the Outstanding Conceptual Manuscript Award from the Journal of Industrial Teacher Education. The award resulted from her article, “Retention of Gradu- ate Students Through Learn- ing Communities,’’ published in Volume 45 in fall 2008. Kraska’s teaching specialties include educational psychol- ogy, measurement, evaluation research and statistics. Reames elected vice president of AAPEL Dr. Ellen Reames was recently elected vice president of the Alabama Association for Pro- fessors of Educational Leader- ship, adding to the College of Education’s history of leader- ship within the organization. Dr. Frances Kochan, dean of the College of Education, served as interim president of the organization when it was formed in 1996. Reames, an assistant professor and program coordinator of educational leadership, joined the faculty in 2007. K E Y N O T E S Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology During his time as a high school teacher, Dr. Paris Strom found that student voices weren’t often heard in discussions involving school disciplinary policies, curriculum changes or instructional methods. Strom, an associate profes- sor of educational psychol- ogy in the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technol- ogy, has done his part to change that culture by using student opinion to improve school ef- fectiveness. Following up on “Polling Students About Conditions of Learning,’’ a research col- laboration with Drs. Robert Strom and Char- lotte Wing of Arizona State University, Strom devised polls in 12 categories to help middle school, junior high and high school administra- tors better understand student perceptions of learning conditions. The surveys, available at LearningPolls.org, allow school administrators to make better- informed decisions by incorporating student opinions. Students can be polled about one or more of the following topics: Internet learning, tutoring, time management, cheating, stress, cyberbullying, peer support, career exploration, dress codes, frustration levels, boredom, and student responsibilities. The polling enables officials at individual schools to assess student attitudes about a broad range of issues, to understand trends and to make sound policy decisions based in part on the survey results. For example, a student poll about Internet learning may enable administrators to find ways to better integrate technological tools as learning resources. Other polls may be used to help shape disciplinary standards for cheating or enable school officials to better understand why some students are reluctant to seek out tutoring assistance. “The reason why these polls are important is because, at each school, you have to assess the norm,’’ Strom said. “These polls, at this point in time, are not intended to assess a national norm. They’re intended for use by schools, indi- vidually, to assess their sites. It demonstrates to the kids that, ‘we’re asking you because we care what you think.’’’ Strom said it’s particularly important for superintendents, principals and teachers to communicate effectively with students because technological innovations have created as many barriers as they have opportunities. With the explosion of iPods, cell phones, text messag- ing and social networking Web sites, teenagers understand more about technology than many of the adults teaching them and have shown a heightened preference for the Internet as source for learning. Strom ex- plores the latter issue in depth in the book “Ado- lescents in the Internet Age,” co- authored with his father, Rob- ert, a professor of educational psychology at Arizona State. The one-time Arizona public high school teacher said he and his research partners were pleased with the response rates of the polls administered in that state. He said that between 60 and 90 percent of the students in the rural Arizona schools where the polls were adminis- tered participated. Strom said he and his research partners work with principals and superintendents to develop and administer the polls. Teachers serve as poll proctors for the students, who typically complete the surveys in computer labs. Students receive a password and entry code, guaranteeing anonymity and ensuring that they vote no more than once. Strom said the construction of the polls also enables administrators to learn how student responses vary along the lines of age, gender and ethnicity. Results are calculated in real time, with data presented in bar graphs. Strom sees student polling as key to lasting school improvements Satrina Chapman Administrative Support Associate I New Faces
  • 41. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 39 Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology Dr. James Witte refers to a portion of his graduate student audi- ence as “the folks out there in ‘TV Land.’” Some of those folks have participated in class discussions despite sitting in hotel rooms in Texas or while sitting in the passenger seat of a car traveling on the interstate. Those faraway faces only need a laptop, webcam and wireless Internet to remove the barrier of distance as they pursue a master’s degree in adult education with an emphasis on cooperative extension. While several students attend classes on campus, others stay connected via interactive TV as they balance family and career obligations. They are free to log in from Huntsville, Mobile or any points in between. During class, Witte can carry on discus- sions with students seated at the confer- ence table or with the distance education students whose faces are displayed on the TV screens at the back of the classroom. “It’s an interesting thing,’’ said Witte, associate professor and Adult and Higher Education program coordinator. “They can address me, address the other people in TV Land, whatever they choose to do. We’re sitting in a comfortable envi- ronment and we can engage here, people out there can cross engage, they can text one another. It’s sophisticated enough that when we have the teaching methods class, those TV-connected people originate slide-support- ed presentations with the same ease and professionalism as those in the classroom.’’ It’s a far cry from when Witte taught his first methods class and used chalk to convey notes on a board. The evolution will continue as Auburn and the College of Education look for ways to meet the needs of students globally, nationally and locally. Cooperative extension professionals will soon have another option for professional development via distance education. Au- burn’s Board of Trustees has approved a certificate for cooperative extension educators to be offered through distance education. The certificate, earned through a five-course series, will be available to cooperative extension employees nationwide. A quotation that Dr. Tony Thacker once used as his e-mail signature resonates with students in the Instructional Leadership Preparation Program. Thacker, education administrator for the Alabama Department of Education and project administrator for the Governor’s Commis- sion on Quality Teaching, included the following statement at the end of his missives: “No leader is successful unless a lot of people want them to be.’’ The quote resonated with Elisha Martin ’05, a third-grade teacher for Roanoke City Schools, and other members of the ILP cohort who have benefitted from the spoken and written words of such figures as Thacker, deputy state superintendent of education Tommy Bice ’77 and John Bell ’80, coordinator of the Alabama Department of Education’s Office of Leadership Development. Martin and other members of the K-12 ILP master’s cohort who aspire to be principals realize that school improvement only results if teachers buy into the process. “I think the biggest impact they have made on me is to remem- ber that you have to include as many teachers as possible in order to sustain success for a long period of time,’’ Martin said. Through their contact with guest speakers like Bice, Thacker and Bell, teachers from 11 partner school districts gain a deeper under- standing of what makes an effective school leader and how to inte- grate theory and practice. The program, one of only three approved redesigned master’s degree programs in instructional leadership for school principals, graduated its first cohort in 2009. The program covers such themes as collaboration and communication, reflective practice, technology, learning communities, leadership develop- ment, inclusiveness and data-driven decision-making. Dr. Lynne Patrick, associate clinical professor and program coordinator, said action-research has emerged as an especially powerful component. “That’s what the whole capstone and everything we’re doing in the master’s program is about — identifying the problem in your school so it’s job-embedded and the teachers have ownership and can directly affect student achievement,’’ she said. “We identify a project, then do the action research and carry it out.’’ John Prestridge ’08, a social studies teacher at Smiths Station High School, said the program has helped him look at various ways to remove obstacles to learning in his school. “I think there are a lot of ways to look at a problem,’’ he said. “I need to be able to step back and assess the entire situation when it comes to analyzing risk factors and how to react to them.’’ Connecting with students in `TV Land’ ILP cohort learns how to remove obstacles to learning
  • 42. Keystone Volume VII, 201040 Kinesiology As director of the Department of Kinesiol- ogy’s TigerFit lab, Dr. Peter Grandjean whole- heartedly endorsed the “Exercise is Medicine’’ initiative launched by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medi- cal Association as a means of emphasizing the medical benefits of regular physical activity. Grandjean succeeded in raising the program’s profile in Alabama by soliciting Gov. Bob Riley’s help in promoting it. Riley signed a proclama- tion designating May 2009 as “Exercise is Medicine” Month in Alabama. Grandjean said such a measure could prove invaluable in inspiring change in a state where, according to a 2005 Behavior Risk Factor Sur- veillance System study, 65 percent of adults are overweight or obese. As a result, Alabama ranks within the top 10 states for prevalence of heart disease, strokes and diabetes. In order to reverse those trends on the national level, the American College of Sports Medicine and American Medical As- sociation developed the “Exercise is Medicine’’ initiative in 2007 and called on states to devote a month of the year to emphasize the health benefits of physical activity. “We’re intervening in the lives of others to promote health,’’ Grandjean said. “Every little dose of exercise causes a response. You have to continue to ‘take the medicine’ in order to get an overall treatment effect.’’ Dr. David Pascoe enjoys seeing the reactions of individuals who are will- ing to “have their picture taken’’ by the infrared thermography machine in his Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum laboratory. The resulting images displayed on a comput- er screen provide a splash of bright colors. Clothing and sunglasses show up in shades of fluorescent blue, while faces and arms burn brightly in shades of red and orange. The display is as educational as it is colorful. Those patches of red and orange hold the key to detecting pandemics such as H1N1, SARS or avian flu. Since fevers represent the human body’s defense mechanism against unwelcomed pathogens, Pascoe, a Humana-Germany-Sher- man distinguished professor, uses the colors revealed by the infrared camera as a guide for detecting an elevated core temperature. “There are some strains of [the flu] that show up as a fever,’’ said Pascoe, who directs Auburn’s Thermal Laboratory. “This febrile temperature is an indicator of a disease state. In the pandemic state, they started scanning peo- ple at airports looking for these temperatures. What they’re trying to do is pick up individuals who had a higher temperature than what they would expect.” According to the Centers for Disease Con- trol and Prevention, between 39 million and 80 million cases of H1N1 occurred between April and December 2009. Given the spread of H1N1 and the likelihood that many cases flew coach before reaching their final destinations, the technology Pascoe utilizes in the Thermal Laboratory would prove invaluable in crowded travel hubs like airports and train stations. Governor joins Kinesiology faculty in promoting active lifestyles through `Exercise is Medicine’ Month Thermography technology plays pivotal role in pandemic detection Sefton named to massage therapy task force Dr. JoEllen Sefton, an assistant professor and director of the Neuromechanics Research Laboratory, was named to the Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge (MTBOK) Task Force in July 2009. Sefton is one of eight volunteer members of the task force, assembled by the MTBOK Stewards on the basis of experience and expertise in the field of massage therapy. Sefton focuses much of her research on how the neuro- muscular system responds to injury, rehabilitation and thera- py. A nationally certified mas- sage therapist for 15 years, Sefton’s long-term research interests involve developing an understanding of the means by which massage therapy influences neuromuscular and physiological function and how such techniques contribute to improved quality of life through pain relief. The MTBOK Task Force will work to develop a unified communications platform in order to help those outside the profession better under- stand it. The team will work to define massage therapy and its scope of practice, as well as the competencies for entry- level massage therapists. The foundational elements of the initiative are expected to be completed within a year. K E Y N O T E S
  • 43. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 41 Rudisill elected to American Kinesiology Association office Dr. Mary Rudisill, Wayne T. Smith distinguished professor and head of the Department of Kinesiology, has been elected to The American Kine- siology Association’s Board of Directors. Rudisill will serve a three- year term from 2010 to 2013. She joins Cathy Ennis of the University of North Carolina Greensboro and Wojtek Chodzk-Zajko of the University of Illinois as new board members. The board and an executive committee oversee the organization, which promotes kinesiology as a unified field of study and provides information for aca- demics, media members and laypersons interested in learn- ing more about the benefits of physical activity. Robinson earns pair of national awards Dr. Leah Robinson, an as- sistant professor of motor behavior, has been announced as the recipient of a pair of national awards. The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAH- PERD) selected Robinson as the recipient of the 2010 Mabel Lee Award. In De- cember 2009, the Motor Development and Learning Academy Committee of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) selected Robinson as the recipient of the 2010 Lolas E. Halverson Motor Develop- ment and Learning Young Investigator Award. K E Y N O T E S A 45,000-square foot facility set to open in fall 2010 will serve as a staging area for research in such areas as cardioprotection and orthope- dic injury rehabilitation. Auburn University broke ground on the $21 million Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research Center in February 2010. The facility’s third floor will include space for the Department of Kinesiology and some of its research partners. Located in the Auburn Research Park on Devall Drive, the MRI Research Center will house a Siemens Verio open-bore 3-T MRI scanner for clinical and research use, as well as the nation’s first shielded whole-body 7-T MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging uses a magnet- ic field and radio waves to create detailed im- ages of organs, tissues and the skeletal system. The core of the MRI machine is a large magnet, which has a strength measured in Tesla, or T, and is named after inventor Nikola Tesla. Au- burn’s 7-T MRI, one of only 28 worldwide, will be the only actively shielded unit in the U.S. Faculty and stu- dents in the Depart- ment of Kinesiology will have roughly 1,000 square feet of lab space. “It’s a great opportunity for us,’’ said Dr. JoEllen Sefton, assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and director of its Neuromechanics Research Laboratory and Post-Certification Graduate Athletic Training Program. “It’s huge for [student] recruitment. We have a master’s student who has decided to stay here for his doctoral program because this is available.’’ The MRI Center’s lab space and resources will prove invaluable for research efforts in neu- romechanics, biomechanics, cardioprotection, exercise biochemistry and muscle physiology, Sefton said. In addition to the Department of Kinesiol- ogy, the facility’s third-floor tenants will include the East Alabama Medical Center Rehab Works and The Auburn Spine and Neurosurgery Center. The U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL), which col- laborates with Kinesiology faculty on research involving head and spinal injuries, will also have office space in the building. “We anticipate a lot of collaboration,’’ Sefton said. Other features of the center will include distance-enabled classrooms for MRI training, a research laboratory and a waiting room. Dr. Thomas Denney, a professor of electrical and computer engineering, will serve as director of the research center. The facility is expected to be completed in September 2010. Kinesiology to benefit from new MRI research center Kinesiology Auburn President Jay Gogue and Alabama Gov. Bob Riley look at an artist’s rendition of the MRI Research Center. “It’s huge for [student] recruitment. We have a master’s student who has decided to stay here for his doctoral program because this is available.’’ Dr. JoEllen Sefton
  • 44. Keystone Volume VII, 201042 Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology A new College of Education outreach initiative is enlisting the help of student organizations to improve the lives of students in high-needs schools. Auburn VOICES coordinates with student groups within the college to focus efforts on advocacy and outreach. Student lead- ers work to identify projects they would like to sponsor and assist through monetary or material donations. Auburn VOICES is involved in a number of different projects to help K-12 students in Notasulga. In addition to collecting donated musical instruments, Auburn VOICES has also worked with Col- lege of Education student groups to raise money for classroom supplies like maps, calculators, books and printer cartridges. Dr. Jamie Carney, professor and coordinator of community agency counseling, said her goal as Auburn VOICES’ faculty adviser is to help student organizations understand the nuances of fundraising and relationship building with community partners. “Often, students have the initiative, enthusiasm and desire to do these things, but they don’t have an idea of where to start or how to do it,’’ Carney said. “Student organization leaders have really taken this [project] to heart.’’ Carney works in conjunction with Dr. Lynne Patrick, associate clinical professor of educational leadership, who is the College of Education’s liaison with Notasulga. The project is also supported by the Dean’s Office, through Dr. Peggy Dagley’s work with student leaders as director of Profes- sional Education Services. Carney became interested in help- ing Notasulga schoolchildren after visiting the high school and learning that the maps being used in social studies classes were more than 40 years old. The college’s Student Coun- cil and Iota Delta Sigma, the Auburn chapter of the international counseling honor society Chi Sigma Iota, Best Buddies, the Student Alabama Education Association and private donors have already raised the necessary funds to provide materials for a number of projects. Auburn VOICES collected assorted musical instruments to present to Notasulga High School in March. By the end of March, seven of Auburn VOICES’ 21 resource requests had been sponsored. Kathy Robinson, a graduate research assistant and doctoral candidate in counselor education, has met with leaders of seven different student groups within the college to build awareness about the needs of Notasulga students and the power that Auburn’s future educators have to build better futures for them. “We have students involved, we have faculty involved,’’ said Robinson, who serves as a graduate assistant advisor for student organizations. “Everybody is working as a team. We’re advocating with and for them.’’ Auburn VOICES improving resources for Notasulga students Notasulga students pose with William Shakespeare. Notasulga students enjoy a trip to Montgomery. Collaboration results in first Alabama Correctional Education Summit An outreach partnership between the College of Education and the College of Liberal Arts resulted in the first Alabama Correc- tional Education Summit being held in May 2009. Dr. Peggy Shippen, an associate professor in the College of Education’s Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology, and Kyes Stevens, director of the Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project, organized the event with the help of a $15,000 competitive Outreach Scholarship Grant.  In establishing the event, Shippen and Stevens sought to explore the roles and resources of organizations that contribute to prisoner education programs, identify independent and overlapping pro- grams and form a working community of stakeholders. In addition to involving faculty members and administrators in the Colleges of Education and Liberal Arts in the dialogue, Shippen and Stevens also brought together representatives from the Alabama Department of Corrections, the Alabama Department of Youth Services, the Alabama Board of Pardons and Parole, Aid to Inmate Mothers, the Society of St. Dismas, the Alabama Department of Post Secondary Education, the Central Alabama Laubach Literacy Council and New Beginnings Foundations. The Alabama Correctional Education Summit resulted from Shippen’s and Steven’s project, “Enhancing the Educational Skills of Alabama’s Prison Population,’’ which focuses on expanding basic literacy tutoring programs and enhancing Auburn University’s prison-based education efforts.
  • 45. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 43 Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology Buckhalt recognized for productivity According to research con- ducted by professors at the University of Memphis and Indiana University, Dr. Joseph Buckhalt, Wayne T. Smith dis- tinguished professor of school psychology, ranks among the most productive scholars in the field of school psychology. Randy Floyd of Memphis and Rebecca Martinez of Indiana University identified Buckhalt among top scholars in the field as part of a survey of strategies and resources used by researchers. Their findings will be included in a special issue of the Journal of School Psychology. Dagley earns Lifetime Mentoring Award In honor of his commitment to helping students over the course of his career, Dr. John Dagley was honored by the American Psychological Asso- ciation’s Society of Counseling Psychology (Division 17) at its national convention. Dagley, an associate professor of counseling psychology, re- ceived the Lifetime Mentoring Award during the organiza- tion’s meeting in Toronto. K E Y N O T E S Gov. Bob Riley appointed Dr. E. Davis Martin as chair of the Alabama Council for Developmental Disabilities. The organization provides advocacy for Alabamians with developmental disabilities and works to make them independent, respected, productive and fully integrated members of society. The council also works with the families of individuals with developmental disabilities to ensure that they receive appropriate services and support. Martin, who serves as chair of the Depart- ment of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psy- chology, learned of his ap- pointment in March 2010. A recipient of the college’s Wayne T. Smith Distin- guished Professorship, Martin has served as a pro- fessor of rehabilitation and special education at Auburn since 2003. He is a licensed counselor, as well as a nationally certified rehabilitation counselor and vocational evaluator. In 2008, Riley reappointed Martin to the Alabama State Rehabilitation Council. Governor appoints Martin to state council The Auburn Transition Leadership Institute celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Alabama Transition Conference by involving youth lead- ers with national and state experts in discussing effective practices for promoting successful outcomes for young people with disabilities. The 20th annual Alabama Transition , held in March 2010, brought together education, rehabilitation and mental health professionals, as well as transition-age youth and their fami- lies, to discuss transition practices, services, research and policies. To mark the anniversary, four national centers sent principal investiga- tors to Alabama to address student retention, post-school outcomes, community integra- tion and technical assistance for providers of services for youth with disabilities. Featured presenters included Assistant Sec- retary of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Alexa Posny, who was selected for her position by President Obama in 2009, and Dr. Mabrey Whetstone ’73 of the Alabama Depart- ment of Education. “This conference provides a forum for all involved to come together for a common purpose,’’ said Dr. Karen Rabren, director of the Auburn Transition Leadership Institute (ATLI) and an associate professor. “It is an enjoyable and meaningful event and it is great to be around others who are carrying out the mis- sion of improving the lives of youth and young adults with disabilities.’’ Shortly after transition services were mandated by federal law in 1990, the Alabama Transition Conference was organized to pro- vide personal, professional and policy develop- ment opportunities for youth and young adults, parents, educators, rehabilitation counselors, job coaches, agency and program administra- tors and other transition stakeholders. Auburn Transition Leadership Institute hosts 20th annual conference Courtney Dotson Administrator II, Outreach Programs Auburn Transition Leadership Institute Cynthia Vasilas Visiting Assistant Professor New Faces Building Brighter Futures for Youth &Young Adults with Disabilities Building Brighter Futures for Youth &Young Adults with Disabilities Building Brighter Futures forYouth &Young Adults with DisabilitiesBuilding Brighter Futures forYouth &Young Adults with Disabilities
  • 46. Keystone Volume VII, 201044 Groccia elected VP of ACEA Chris Groccia, special projects director for the Truman Pierce Institute, now serves as vice president/president elect of the Alabama Community Education Association. The ACEA is a non-profit organization that provides in- formation, training, advocacy, networking opportunities and leadership for its members. Groccia was elected to office during the organization’s annual conference held in Gulf Shores, Ala., in Febru- ary 2009. She also received the Outstanding Benefactor Award for her work provid- ing support to liaisons and consultants working with 21st Century Community Learning Center programs, as well as 149 grantees across the state. Groccia coordinates the 21st Century Community Learning Center contract between the Truman Pierce In- stitute and the Alabama State Department of Education. In that capacity, Groccia provides ongoing training and support to Alabama’s 21st Century Community Learning Center grantees on their required reports and helps coordinate summer camps for high school tutors. Community education has three underlying components, including lifelong learning, community involvement and efficient use of resources. K E Y N O T E S A College of Education fac- ulty member serves as the only full-time university professor among a select group exploring ways to lower the state’s high school dropout rate. The Alabama State Legislature appointed Dr. Cindy Reed, professor of educational leadership and director of the college’s Truman Pierce Institute, to the Alabama Select Commis- sion on High School Graduation and Student Dropouts. The commission, created by the legislature in the summer of 2009, will develop new strategies, programs and efforts to increase on-time high school graduation rates. Lowering Alabama’s high school dropout rate, which cur- rently exceeds 30 percent, is critical to improv- ing the state’s economic well-being, creating employment opportunities and lowering crime.   “High school dropout rates are unaccept- ably high in Alabama and elsewhere,’’ Reed said. “In my opinion, the work of the commission is incredibly important in that students who drop out of school not only limit their own oppor- tunities in life, but their actions impact all who live in the communities around them in terms of potential economic development, crime rates and other quality of life issues.’’   The commission will study the problems and patterns of high school dropouts in Alabama, as well as their ed- ucational and economic impact on the state and local communities. In addition to examining graduation and dropout rates in the state, com- mission members will research best practices and factors related to student success, the social and economic consequences of dropping out of school, laws and policies that must be addressed in order to develop more effective strategies and support systems for K-12 students.   The Select Commission on High School Graduation and Dropouts includes eight mem- bers of the Alabama State Legislature; four state busi- ness, community and civic leaders appointed by Gov. Bob Riley; four legal, philanthropic and educational leaders identified by Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb; and four educational leaders, includ- ing Reed, who were chosen by Alabama State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton ’69, a College of Education graduate. Reed also completed a four-year research collaboration with Jay Lamar, director of the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities, in spring 2009. Their project resulted in a book on how connections can be strengthened between communities and their educational systems. Reed wrote the coda for “Connections: Com- munities, Schools, and the People Who Made Them,” a 147-page volume that provides first- person accounts of the educational experiences that shaped students, teachers, superintendents, mayors, librarians, businessmen and parents. The book includes the elementary and second- ary education experiences of 10 Anniston, Ala., citizens, many of whom lived through the Civil Rights movement. Reed to provide college perspective on high school dropout prevention Truman Pierce Institute “High school dropout rates are unacceptably high in Alabama and elsewhere. ... Students who drop out of school not only limit their own opportunities in life, but their actions impact all who live in the communities around them in terms of potential economic development, crime rates and other quality of life issues.’’ Dr. Cindy Reed, Truman Pierce Institute director
  • 47. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 45 The Southern Public Re- lations Federation recently honored the 2009 edition of the College of Education’s annual alumni magazine, the Keystone, with an Award of Excellence in its Lantern Awards Program. The Keystone received its award in the “Other single-issue publications’’ subcategory of the Special Purpose Publications division. Published each spring since 2004, the Keystone reaches 31,000-plus College of Education graduates and donors, as well as other community, state and national partners and various other stakeholders. Designed and published by the College of Education, the Keystone’s production team includes graphic designer Amanda Earnest, editor Troy Johnson and Director of External Relations Michael Tullier, APR. This SPRF award of excellence is the Keystone’s third since 2005. SPRF represents a network of more than 1,300 public rela- tions professionals in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle. At press time, the college had received notification of a pending award from the Public Relations Council of Alabama. The award will be announced with others at the organization’s annual conference in April. Dr. Daniel Clay, associate dean for ad- ministration, research and innovative programs in the College of Education, has been named dean of the College of Education at the University of Missouri in Columbia. The appointment will take effect in June 2010. As part of his new position, Clay will also fill the role of Joanne H. Hook endowed chair in Education Renewal at the university. “I am excited about this opportunity because this is my alma mater and an outstanding institution,’’ said Clay, who earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in counseling psychology from Missouri. “On a more personal note, we have immediate family in and around Columbia, so we will be much closer to our fami- lies. I am very appreciative for the opportunities at Auburn and for all the wonderful relationships we have made. The Auburn community has been warm and welcoming to me and my family and we are thankful for the opportunity to live and work in this great community.” Clay joined the College of Education in 2007 after serving as associate dean of academic affairs for the College of Education and Human Services at Western Illinois University. He previ- ously served on the faculty at the University of Iowa, the Univer- sity of North Dakota School of Medicine and the Michigan State University School of Medicine. His research focuses on children with chronic illnesses or disabilities and their integration into schools. College of Education Dean Frances Kochan and 230 students were initiated into the Auburn University Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi during its spring 2009 initiation and awards ceremony. Kochan, a Wayne T. Smith distinguished professor in the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology, is internationally known for her expertise in mentoring, as well as her published research on teachers as researchers, family and school relation- ships and middle school organizational change. Phi Kappa Phi, founded in 1897, is the nation’s oldest, largest and most selective all-discipline honor society. Dean Kochan recognized by Phi Kappa Phi Keystone magazine receives regional public relations award University of Missouri selects Clay as new dean Catina Jackson-Woods Administrative Associate I - Academic Professional Education Services Office of the Dean New Faces Keep up with the search for a new College of Education dean by visiting education.auburn.edu/deansearch
  • 48. Keystone Volume VII, 201046 Take careful inventory of the items lining the shelves and racks of local big box retailers. Those polo shirts, sneakers, gardening tools, toothbrushes, tricycles, laptop computers, bric- a-brac and build-them-yourself bookcases most likely arrived — packaged and ready for purchase — after an extended cruise aboard a massive con- tainer ship. These vessels, which span the length of more than three football fields, serve as the workhorses of the global import-export industry. Unbeknownst to most consumers, Auburn graduate and 2010 Keystone Leader-in-Residence Robert Kenneth Johns ’57, played a significant role in redefining that industry and in streamlining the process that brings merchandise to local stores. After graduating from Auburn in 1957 with an education degree, Johns went to work with Sea-Land Service, Inc., a newly formed transporta- tion company based in Mobile, Ala. Founded by transportation entrepreneur Malcolm McLean, Sea-Land revolutionized the way goods get from point A to point B. “We created a new way to do ocean shipping,’’ said Johns, a Mobile, Ala., native. “The old way [of 2010 Keystone Leader-in-Residence Robert Kenneth Johns ’57 knows what it takes to keep businesses running shipshape Smoothsailing
  • 49. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 47 Keystone Leader loading ships] was with pallets, slings and bales.’’ It was a process that re- lied on the brute strength of longshoremen, many of whom looked as if they’d stepped out of the Marlon Brando classic On the Waterfront. Sea-Land recognized that spe- cially designed cranes and other machines could do the job cheaper and more efficiently while also reducing the incidence of damage, delays and theft. Most significantly, those machines could load and unload large detachable metal contain- ers from ships and easily transfer them to tractor trailer trucks for transport. Sea-Land’s innova- tions, which included the building of larger ships to transport more items at a time than ever before, changed the nature of world trade and stimulated post-war economies worldwide. “The 1950s were a time when a lot of systems were being automated,’’ Johns said. “We were the ones who took it up for ocean transportation. Like everything else, there’s a leader who has to be out in front. None of us knew it would go as far as it did. It has made world trade much easier. Walmart couldn’t exist the way it does without this system.’’ Johns rose up Sea-Land’s ranks, moving from Mobile to Tampa to Jacksonville to New Orleans before landing at the company’s headquarters in New Jersey. He served as Sea-Land’s president and chief operating officer from 1979 to 1987, guiding it through an especially prosperous era as it main- tained its standing as one of the world’s largest and most successful transportation companies. Sea-Land subsequently became part of the Maersk Group. In 2008, the combined company, Maersk- Sealand, grossed revenues in excess of $28 billion. After retiring from Sea-Land, Johns founded The Hampshire Management Group, Inc., a Man- hattan-based firm of which he remains chairman and chief executive officer. Since its inception, the firm has either created as start-up or obtained through acquisition or shareholding alliances nu- merous innovative and successful businesses that primarily serve the ocean shipping industry. Even though he could have retired comfortably after 30 years in the shipping business, Johns continues to go to the office every day because he’s an Auburn man who believes in The Auburn Creed. “Part of The Auburn Creed is that ‘I believe in “There is a responsibility that goes with leadership. Sometimes it’s a burden, but often it’s an opportunity and always it’s a responsibility. I think it’s important to have an open mind and to be alert to opportunity and to be inquisitive about what’s going on around you.’’ Johns played on three Gator Bowl teams.
  • 50. Keystone Volume VII, 201048 work, hard work,’’’ he said. “I really like working.’’ He also enjoys sharing the business knowl- edge he’s acquired through more than 50 years of service. When asked about his own template for effective leadership, Johns places a value on being able to anticipate and adapt. He learned that early, when Sea-Land adopted a business philosophy that others had yet to emulate. “We were a breakaway, no question,’’ said Johns, who received the Auburn Alumni Associa- tion’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. “That ground floor sort of gave me a little bit of a jump on other people and it also required that I share what I knew with others. “There is a responsibility that goes with leader- ship. Sometimes it’s a burden, but often it’s an opportunity and always it’s a responsibility. I think it’s important to have an open mind and to be alert to opportunity and to be inquisitive about what’s going on around you.’’ In the trenches Before focusing on shipping lanes, Johns cleared running lanes as a lineman on the Auburn football team from 1953-56. He earned a scholarship offer from legendary coach Ralph “Shug’’ Jordan after excelling in three sports at Vigor High School in Prichard, Ala. He and his teammates — who included future Georgia football coach Vince Dooley and future Alabama governor Fob James along with stars like Lloyd Nix, Morris Savage and George Atkins — led Auburn to three consecutive Gator Bowls during a turning point in its football history. “Playing for Coach Jordan was a great oppor- tunity to watch and learn how a real solid, quality individual operates each day,” Johns said. In 2006, Johns earned the Walter Gilbert Award, presented to former Auburn athletes who have demonstrated a high level of achievement after graduation. Johns still speaks fondly of his time at Auburn, and why not? He remains married to his wife, Barbara, a former Auburn co-ed from Birmingham who also majored in education. Education as a vessel Before graduating from Auburn, Johns briefly con- sidered following the footsteps of Dooley and be- coming a coach. But it made sense for him to enter the shipping industry because that’s what he knew as a child. He grew up on a farm in Andalusia, but his family moved to Mobile after the outbreak of World War II. His father, Aubrey, contributed to the war effort by providing some of the necessary manpower and imagination needed to build the nation’s industrial base. He became a ship builder at the Alabama Drydocks, where steel and rivets became freighters and tankers. “At the dinner table, of course, the talk was often about the job and the war effort,’’ Johns said. “I grew up talking about ships and what would be built and why. I grew up thinking about ships.’’ The man who grew up thinking about ships now appreciates education as a vessel of sorts. There’s no telling where it can take you. “I went in a different direction, but I think education prepared me to deal with people,’’ Johns said. “Auburn University and the College of Education, in particular, have people who go into education wanting to make things better somehow. As you get into business and move up the manage- ment ranks, you find yourself teaching every day and all of that cascades down. There’s a teaching role every day of your life.’’ About the Keystone Leader-in-Residence program Since its inception in 2003, the College of Education’s Keystone Leader-in-Residence has introduced students to successful leaders in education, government, human services, community services and health services. Keystone Leaders spend a day on campus, visiting students, faculty and staff and sharing their personal and professional experiences in such forums as a campus-wide lecture, classroom and small- group settings. The keystone provides a fitting symbol for the program because educa- tion — like the keystone of an arch — serves a central, supporting role in society. The Keystone Leader-in-Resi- dence program enhances the College of Education’s efforts in developing competent, com- mitted and reflective profes- sionals who utilize education in building better futures for all. 2009 Brenda Smith Sanborn ‘68, former executive with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals 2008 Rev. Chette Williams ’86 author and Auburn University football team chaplain 2007 Susan Dryden Whitson ’91 former press secretary for First Lady Laura Bush 2006 Kathy Langois Munro ’70 principal in San Diego-based BridgeWest LLC 2005 The Hon. Kay Ivey ’67 Alabama State Treasurer 2004 Gordon Sherman ’57 principal for Atlanta-based Lamon & Sherman Consulting LLC and retired Social Security administrator 2003 Wayne T. Smith ’68 chairman, president and CEO of Tennessee-based Commu- nity Health Systems VillagePhotographersofAuburn,AL Smoothsailing continued Robert Kenneth Johns ’57 (center) earned the Auburn University Alumni Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.
  • 51. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 49 Undergraduate Master’s Specialist Doctoral 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 04-05 557 613 615 603 05-06 06-07 07-08 328 13 8 25 9 368 360 339 17541 19344 19634 20748 650 08-09 8 38520750 DEGREES CONFERRED, all levels, since 2004-2005 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 EXTERNAL GRANT FUNDING, since 2004-2005 0 1,000,000 2,000,000 3,000,000 4,000,000 5,000,000 6,000,000 7,000,000 8,000,000 08-09 $8,160,013 $4,708,286 $6,739,544 $5,195,938 $4,576,726 73% 27% Male Female STUDENT ENROLLMENT, collegewide by gender, as of fall 2009 Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior/Second Degree Master’s Education Specialist Doctoral 12% 17% 14% 17% 16% 2% 22% STUDENT ENROLLMENT, collegewide by classification, as of fall 2009 09-1008-0907-0806-0705-0604-05 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 29 31 36 39 43 44 7 7 11 12 15 16 ACTIVE ENDOWED AND ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS, since 2004-2005 Undergraduate Graduate 32% 63% Individuals Corporations Foundations DONOR CATEGORIES, as a percent of overal giving, calendar year 2009 5% 6% 34% Student Support Faculty Support 60% DONOR FUND DESIGNATIONS, as a percent of overall giving calendar year 2009 Programmatic Support 26% 26% 27% 21% Full Professor Associate Professor Assistant Professor Instructor FACULTY BY LEVEL, collegewide by classification, as of fall 2009 Individuals Corporations Foundations 2% 1% 97% DONOR CATEGORIES, as a percent of total donors, calendar year 2009 College Knowledge
  • 52. Keystone Volume VII, 201050 F or the past several years, especially those under Dean Kochan’s leadership, we on the National Advisory Council have been striving to mean- ingfully support the work of our faculty and staff in educating students and reaching out to our college’s school and community partners. A couple of years ago, our council created an Internal Relations Committee, currently under the leadership of Susan McIntosh Housel ’73 of Auburn. Susan and her committee look for ways to maintain relationships with our faculty while also helping the council create a pres- ence among our students — particularly our more than 15 student organizations. Equally important to supporting our faculty and staff has been our Academic Affairs Committee, led by Dr. Thomas Taylor ’60 of Clinton, Miss. Academic Affairs Committee members assist the council in reviewing and awarding annual council mini-grants to faculty, which this year totaled nearly $6,000. Two other committees are assets to our alumni relations and fundraising ef- forts. External Relations Committee chair Bill Langley ’63 of Columbus, Ga., and Development Committee chair Hollis Messer ’55 of Orange Beach, Ala., assist college staff in keeping alumni informed about and connected with the college. As you can see from the graduation years and locales of our council, we don’t limit membership based on where you live or what you do for a living. If you are interested in learning more about council membership, or wish to be considered in the future, please learn more at education.auburn.edu/alumni/nac. Speaking of our members, I want to thank four of our members rotating off the council for their service: Dr. Katrice Albert ’02 of Baton Rouge, La.; Dr. Victor Gaston ’80 of Mobile, Ala.; Dr. Floyd Hall ’48 of Greenville, S.C.; and Dr. Wright Lassiter ’72 of Dallas, Texas. So, we invite you to get involved — either through our council or by contact- ing any of our members to find out what you can do to support our college and build better futures for all! War Eagle, James “Jim” Manley ’60 Chair, National Advisory Council A Messagefrom the Chair Since 2001, the National Advisory Coun- cil has encouraged college faculty to develop meaningful research and outreach projects that strengthen partnerships and further the college’s strategic priorities through a mini-grant program. The mini-grants, provided through personal gifts by council members, typically provide up to $2,000 in funding per project. After reviewing a number of project proposals submitted by faculty, the council voted to provide support for the fol- lowing projects: • “A Clustered Cohort Model (CCM) Study: The Auburn College of Education Instructional Leadership Programs as Perceived by Leadership Students and Partner Local Educational Agency Field Based Coaches,” Drs. Ellen Reames, Lisa Kensler, Carey Andrzejewski and Lynne Patrick, Department of Educational Foun- dations, Leadership and Technology • “Extending our Reach: Challenges and Opportunities facing Principals Today and Tomorrow,” Dr. Cynthia Reed, Tru- man Pierce Institute • “The Use of Advanced Remote Technol- ogy for the Supervision and Assistance of Intern Teachers,” Dr. Brian Parr, Depart- ment of Curriculum and Teaching Requests for mini-grant proposals are issued by the college’s Office of Research and Innova- tion each spring. Proposals are then reviewed by the council’s Academic Affairs Committee. The mini-grants may provide “seed money’’ that can be combined with other sources of funding. After the recipients have been selected, they are asked to provide reports to the National Advisory Council on how the mini-grants have assisted their research. Advisory Council encourages research, outreach efforts Learn more about the college’s National Advisory Council at education.auburn.edu/ alumni
  • 53. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 51 National Advisory council James “Jim” Manley ’60 Council Chair Retired banker, SunTrust Bank Decatur, Ga. Dr. J. Floyd Hall ’48 Retired school superintendent and professor Greenville, S.C. Dr. Katrice Albert ’02 Vice Provost for Equity, Diversity and Community Outreach, Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, La. Dr. Imogene Mathison Mixson ’63 Retired community college academic dean Ozark, Ala. Dr. Ron Saunders ’70 Superintendent, Barrow Co. Schools Winder, Ga. Col. Hollis Messer (US Army-Ret.) ’55 Chair, Development Agent, ONO Realty Orange Beach, Ala. Dr. Carol Edmundson Hutcheson ’69 Retired principal Columbus, Ga. Donna Carpenter Burchfield ’71 Lawyer, King & Spalding Atlanta, Ga. Dr. Byron B. Nelson Jr. ’57 Retired school superintendent Union Grove, Ala. Dr. Shirley Kelley Spears ’71 Director, B.B. Comer Memorial Library Sylacauga, Ala. Sharon Rochambeau Lovell Former school board member Vestavia Hills, Ala. The Hon. Victor Gaston, Ed.D. ’80 State Representative, Alabama House of Representatives, 100th District Mobile, Ala. Kym Haas Prewitt ’86 Exec. director, Children’s Literacy Guild of Ala. Birmingham, Ala. Leslie S. Woodson ’80 Business analyst and trainer/technical writer, EDS Corporation Alabaster, Ala. Dr. Thomas N. Taylor ’60 Chair, Academic Affairs Educational consultant and retired superintendent Clinton, Miss. Dr. Nathan L. Hodges ’74 President, Bowling Green Technical College Bowling Green, Ken. Dr. Tim Alford ’68 Executive Director, Alabama Construction Recruitment Institute Pelham, Ala. Dr. J. Carlton Smith ’67 Retired superintendent Vestavia Hills, Ala. Susan McIntosh Housel ’73 Chair, Internal Relations Retired elementary educator Auburn, Ala. Dr. Wright L. Lassiter Jr. ’75 Chancellor, Dallas County Community College Dallas, Texas Dr. Cynthia Ann Cox ’77 Special Education Teacher, Coronado Unified School District Coronado, Calif. Dr. Harold Patterson ’54 Retired school superintendent Guntersville, Ala. Susan Dryden Whitson ’91 Former White House press secretary, Office of the First Lady Washington, Va. William D . “Bill” Langley ’63 Chair, External Relations Business owner, Sidewinder Inc Columbus, Ga. Dr. J. Terry Jenkins ’83 Superintendent, Auburn City Schools Auburn, Ala. Nancy Culpepper Chancey ’62 Chairwoman, CH&B Inc. Enterprise, Ala. Patsy Boyd Parker ’70 Education consultant, college adviser and retired counselor Opelika, Ala. Dr. W. Mabrey Whetstone Jr. ’73 Director, Special Education Services, Alabama Department of Education Titus, Ala. Hedy White Manry ’71 Vice president, Solutions Leadership Initiative, Global Solutions, IBM Americas Cornelius, N.C. Mary Chambers Gross ’65 Retired high school educator Melbourne, Fla. Dr. Frances Skinner Reeves ’71 Retired mental health counselor West Point, Ga. Catherine Cary Zodrow ’72 Media instructional assistant, Ogletree Elementary School Auburn, Ala. NAC Council Executive Committee Council Members 2009-2010
  • 54. Keystone Volume VII, 201052 Alumni As for the question of which came first, the chicken or the egg, Wayne McElrath ’52 can’t provide a definitive answer. McElrath Farms lacked the presence of either organism when it hatched as a commercial egg business. In fact, the only employee during the formative stages of the business that would eventually transform McElrath into a multi- millionaire was its namesake and CEO. All that existed in the early stages of McElrath Farms in 1968 was the man, a parcel of land in Albertville, Ala., and a very ambitious plan. “We started it from nothing,’’ said McElrath, who graduated from Auburn with a degree in agricultural education. “When we incorporated our little business, we didn’t even own a chicken at the time. I borrowed up to my ears.’’ As a child of the Great Depression, McElrath learned that the only way to turn nothing into something was through perseverance. He developed the necessary work ethic — and more than a few cal- luses — following a mule with a plow on his family’s row-crop farm in Cherokee County. So it shouldn’t have been surprising when, four years after its foundation, McElrath Farms had grown to include 600 employees who oversaw the processing of nearly 500,000 dozen eggs and one million broilers per week. The eggs and broilers — chickens raised specifically for meat production — became the cornerstones of a successful business that heartily rewarded McElrath’s early risk. As the result of McElrath’s resounding success in the business world, his commitment to education and his willingness to invest in students, the College of Education selected him for its 2010 Outstanding Alumnus Award. McElrath was honored at the college’s 29th Annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony in March. In 2008, McElrath created an endowed scholarship to support students enrolled in the College of Education’s agriscience educa- tion program. McElrath said the decision to donate to the college stemmed from his high school and Auburn University experiences. The gift paid tribute to a high school agriculture teacher who in- spired him and the opportunities that his Auburn University educa- tion helped create. McElrath has also provided support for Auburn’s College of Agriculture and the Big Oak Ranch, a Christian home for abused and unwanted children. “It was my passion to help young folks who were struggling and needed help,’’ said McElrath, a U.S. Army tank commander during the Korean War. “College doesn’t necessarily make you any smarter, but it introduces you to a lot of things and opens doors to young people. In my case, I came from a row-crop farm where we were growing cotton and barely getting by. I realized at an early age that if I was going to improve myself, I was going to have to get a good education.’’ McElrath channeled his education into a successful career in the Alabama poultry industry that spanned more than 30 years. After the Korean War, McElrath landed a job as a poultry feed salesman with Ralston Purina, the world’s largest animal feed company at the time. When the company entered the poultry and egg business, it selected McElrath to be a live production manager for its commer- cial egg and hatchery division in Albertville. McElrath ascended the corporate ladder in the company’s egg and broiler operations, mov- ing to corporate headquarters in St. Louis, before leaving in 1968 to start his own business on a wing and a prayer. College’s 2010 outstanding alumnus cultivating agriscience educators 2009 Dr. Joseph Morton ’69 2008 Dr. Ron Saunders ’70 2007 Dr. J. Phillip Raley ’71 2006 Dr. J. Terry Jenkins ’83 2005 Hedy White Manry ’71 2004 Gordon M. Sherman ’57 2003 Dr. Joyce Reynolds Ringer ’59 2002 Dr. Shirley Kelley Spears ’71 2001 Dr. Betty McClendon DeMent ’71 2000 Dr. Wayne Teague ’50 1999 Dr. J. Floyd Hall ’48 1998 Alice “Ruthie” Bolton ’90 1997 Dr. Earl “Buddy” Weaver ’62 1996 Kay E. Ivey ’67 1995 Wayne T. Smith ’68 1994 Dr. John M. Goff ’72 1993 no recipient 1992 Reita Ethel Clanton ’74 1991 Dr. Marilyn Clark Beck ’66 1990 Jeanne Swanner Robertson ’67 1989 Dr. John H. “Pete” Mosley ’58 1988 Dr. Gerald S. Leischuck ’64 1987 Dr. Ann M. Neely ’77 1986 no recipient 1985 Dr. Robert L. Saunders ’47 1984 Dr. Merle Royston Friesen ’76 1983 Dr. Wayne Teague ’50 College of Education Outstanding Alumni: A look at the previous recipients:
  • 55. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 53 Recipe for success From her 17th floor office, Nancy Estelle (Hall) Horvath ’82 overlooked the laying of the foundation for her second career. She could hear its formation too. The construction workers made sure of that as they cleared away the granite across the street and 17 floors below with window- rattling explosions. Over the next several months, as the grumbling of heavy machinery replaced the booming of the dynamite, Horvath, then a vice president for the multinational computer technology firm Oracle Corporation, could see the Art Institute of Atlanta gradually take shape from her office high above. Little did she know that the new building would come to play a pivotal role in her life. An appetite for teaching On a rainy winter Saturday morning, Horvath welcomes a few visi- tors into her home and invites them to sample the homemade biscot- ti she’s made in her kitchen, a gleaming 18-by-18 space appointed with the sort of granite countertops and stainless steel appliances that would make a perfect backdrop for a show on the Food Network. In this space, Horvath is better known as Chef Nancy. The one-time vice president, who once demystified the intrica- cies of computer software, now puts the business education degree she earned from Auburn to use as owner and operator of GoChef. In addition to providing catering services, she offers “Gourmet on the Go’’ cooking classes in her home kitchen. Even though Horvath has channeled her true passion into a new career, even though she’s fulfilled by teaching cooks of varying skill levels how to construct scrumptious and intricate meals, there’s a downside to her new line of work. “Nobody invites us to dinner anymore,’’ Horvath joked. Business education background a key ingredient in Nancy Hall Horvath’s ’82 successful transition from corporate world to kitchen
  • 56. Keystone Volume VII, 201054 Instead, everyone wants to come to her house to sample such delights as pretzel-crusted pork tenderloin, chicken Wellington, Bananas Foster or the spiced caramel roulade filled with cream, candied ginger and covered with a bourbon caramel sauce. In demonstrat- ing the architecture involved in these dishes, Horvath reveals what she was before she climbed the corporate ladder and before she decided to leave the computer software world behind in order to enroll in culinary arts classes at the Art Institute of Atlanta. Horvath started out teaching business educa- tion classes in Georgia’s Fulton County public schools, and she remains an educator at her core. While walking an eight-member class through the planning and preparation of a three-course menu, Horvath passes around pieces of fresh tarra- gon so her students can take in its licorice aroma. She shows them how to properly butterfly a flank steak and how to create layers of flavors by stuffing it with prosciutto, Fontina cheese and fresh basil leaves before grilling. Her classes showcase an indispensable ingredi- ent from her public school teaching days. “Lesson plans,’’ said Horvath, who provides her students with recipe booklets and tip sheets outlining necessary pantry items and proper cook- ing temperatures. “I may not sit down and write out a full-blown lesson plan like I did as a teacher, but I certainly think through it all and organize everything. The main thing I learned from teaching was how to communi- cate with people and understand different learning styles.’’ Pursuing her passion Horvath’s Gourmet on the Go class handout features a Bible passage at the bottom. Psalm 145:15-16 underscores the joy she derives from her current vocation, as well as the leap of faith that led her to it: “The eyes of all look, expectantly to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.’’ Making a clean break from corporate culture wasn’t especially easy. Since starting her post- teaching career at Unisys, Horvath transitioned to Oracle and rose up the ranks during her 11 years there, starting as an instructor and eventu- ally becoming a vice president who oversaw 450 employees in Oracle’s $250 million Education Division. She could see her future being built from the window of her office. As the Art Institute of Atlanta began taking shape, Horvath moved into a position with Information Access Management, a nearby start-up company established by one of her former high school students. Horvath always had the desire to cook and en- tertain, but she didn’t see it as anything more than a hobby until she met her future husband, Patrick, a high-tech entrepreneur and former Naval aviator and Gulf War veteran, in 2002. Over the course of some of the picnic lunches Chef Nancy prepared for them to share, Patrick encouraged her to pur- sue her passion. “He was the one who told me I was in the wrong career,’’ she said. “He told me, ‘You might have missed your calling.’’’ A ‘Slice’ of life When Horvath showed up for her first day of class in the Art Institute of Atlanta’s culinary arts program, she could have easily second-guessed her decision to change careers. “Here I am at 40 going back to culinary school and these kids were all 18 or 19, right out of high school,’’ she said. She also stood out for another reason on the first day after cutting herself while examin- ing a classmate’s kitchen knife. The instructor Recipe for success continued
  • 57. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 55 nicknamed Horvath “Slice,’’ but she soon became known for her attention to detail and her ability to layer flavors. It continues today as Horvath will test a recipe several times, adding new twists and refining it, before including it on her menu. “Since I was cooking as a hobby, there was a lot to learn,’’ Horvath said. “We would do an hour of knife skills every day, cutting carrots, onions, celery, tomato, garlic and parsley. The instructor would get out his measuring stick and make sure you were at one-eighth of an inch or that you were doing whatever shape and sizes you had to do.’’ The seven academic quarters Horvath spent becoming a certified chef equipped her with skills well beyond pureeing and julienning. The curriculum taught her all of the elements of being a business owner and manager — everything from buying sugar packets and straws to designing a restaurant floor plan. “By graduation, you had a portfolio where you had created a business,’’ Horvath said. After marinating in Horvath’s portfolio, the GoChef and Gourmet on the Go concepts are now tantalizing taste buds and building hobbyists into better cooks. She has especially enjoyed the interactive nature of her classes, which provide simple, clear instructions for preparing complex meals. It’s obvious the former classroom teacher and corporate manager still knows how to connect with an audience. On the rainy winter Saturday when Horvath taught the art of grilled stuffed flank steak, one class member volunteered that she was making her sixth appearance despite living in North Dakota. The woman squeezes in the class whenever she visits her daughter in the Atlanta metro area. Stories like that leave no doubt that Horvath has most definitely found her calling. “My hope is that people who don’t like to cook or are scared to cook feel comfortable in com- ing,’’ Horvath said. “You try to make it so it’s easy, it’s fun and they can put together a nice dinner party with a couple of basic skills and a little bit of knowledge.’’ “I may not sit down and write out a full-blown lesson plan like I did as a teacher, but I certainly think through it all and organize everything. The main thing I learned from teaching was how to communicate with people and understand different learning styles.”
  • 58. Keystone Volume VII, 201056 Development GiftAnnuities. . . T o d a y P l a n n i n g f o r t o m o r r o w Looking for a fixed income with no market risk? A charitable gift annuity may be the answer to your search. By creating a charitable gift annuity, you’ll enjoy dependable and fixed payments you won’t outlive. At the same time, you’ll be supporting the College of Education. • Fixed and secure payments to you and/or a loved one • A current income tax deduction • Annual income savings • Future financial resources for Auburn **For illustration purposes only: Rates are recommended by the American Council of Gift Annuities, effective February 2009, and are subject to change. Gift Annuities are not offered in all states. For more information, please contact: Office of Planned Giving 334.844.7375 plannedgiving@auburn.edu One Life (Rates Effective February 1, 2009)** Your Age Rate of Return 65 5.3% 70 5.7% 75 6.3% 80 7.1% 85 8.1% 90+ 9.5% While perusing the shelves of the newly-dedicated Sun Belt Writing Project library, Dr. Susan Villaume found a number of titles that brought back a flood of memories. A copy of “And with a Light Touch: Learning about Reading, Writing, and Teaching with First Graders” momentarily transported Villaume back to her days as an elementary teacher. “I look over at this circulat- ing library and actually recognize some of the books,’’ said Villaume, associate dean of academic affairs and certification officer for the College of Education. “‘And with a Light Touch’ ... I used that back a hundred years ago.’’ Dr. Alyson Whyte, direc- tor of the Sun Belt Writ- ing Project, expects the books con- tained in a specially designated section of the college’s Learning Resources Center to become indispensable resources for teacher consultants. A $4,000 gift from the College of Education’s Dean’s Circle and the tireless work of Sun Belt Writing Project team mem- bers Marty Casey and Claudette Tennant ’09 led to the creation of the library, which opened in May 2009. Whyte said federal funding will allow for annual updates to be made to the library. “Marty and Claudette have spent untold hours building this collection,’’ Whyte said. “The LRC has helped them turn it into a shelved special collection for teacher leaders.’’ Casey, a kindergarten teacher at Beulah Elementary School, serves as the Sun Belt Writing Project’s open- enrollment programs elementary specialist. Tennant, an academic adviser in Auburn Uni- versity’s Department of Computer Science and Software Engineer- ing, serves as the Sun Belt Writing Projects congressional liaison and completed a teaching credential in English language arts educa- tion. Casey and Tennant received certificates of recognition from Villaume. Founded in 1981, the Sun Belt Writing Project works to promote student achievement by improving the teaching of learning of writing in grades K-12. The program in- corporates the model of teachers- teaching-teachers best practices. The Patrons of the Keystone- Dean’s Circle provides the dean with resources necessary for the college to exceed current levels of excellence in advanc- ing teaching, research and outreach. Dean’s Circle gift enables Sun Belt Writing Project to establish library Claudette Tennant and Marty Casey celebrate the library’s dedication with Drs. Susan Villaume and Alyson Whyte. AUB U R N U N I V E R S ITY PATRON S OF THE KE YSTONE D E A N ’ S C I R C L E COLL E G E O F E D U C A T ION TH E KEYSTON TRONS O F PATRON S OF THE KE YSTONE D E A N ’ S C I R C L E DE LE TH E KEYSTON TRONS O F DE LE TRONS O F DE TH E KEYSTON TRONS O F DE LE AU B U R N U N I V E R S ITY COL L E G E O F E D U C A T ION PATRON S OF THE KE Y STONE D E A N ’ S C I R C L E PATRON S OF THE KE Y STONE D E A N ’ S C I R C L E
  • 59. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 57 Lila Lansing White lived in Tuscaloosa for 33 years, but she considers Auburn University and its College of Education a second home of sorts. “It’s all based on people,’’ White said. “I feel like I can go there at any time.’’ Even though she now lives in Tempe, Ariz., White still makes fre- quent trips to the Plains to learn more about the research being done in the Col- lege of Education and to see firsthand how her generosity helps others. White and her former companion, the late Lt. Col. Henry Earl Turner, established a fund for excellence for autism-related research and service. White has also funded an annual graduate assistantship. Presented for the first time in 2009, the Lila White Annual Graduate Assistantship is awarded to a special education graduate student whose scholarship and research focuses on autism. White worked with Auburn’s College of Education through inservice during her days as supervisor of special education for Tuscaloosa County Schools. Her frequent visits to Auburn allow her to learn more about the college’s research and to connect with current students. She especially appreciates being able to follow the achievements of doctoral candidate Cynthia Nelson Head, the first recipient of the Lila White Annual Graduate Assistantship. “It’s exciting to come to Auburn and watch her give a presentation,’’ White said. “Everybody ought to be able to do this with their money, to look at it at work. It’s the most rewarding thing in the world. It’s wonderful to meet the person you’re helping.’’ White has chosen to help Auburn because of its commitment to special education and the personal touch shown by the university’s Development Office and the college’s administration, faculty, staff and students. White, who earned an undergraduate degree in home economics from Iowa State, knows her sup- port for Auburn may be surprising given her ties to Alabama. Her late husband, Grover C. Niles, served as an academic counselor for Coach Paul “Bear’’ Bry- ant’s athletes. After her husband passed away, she met Turner, a widower with Auburn ties. Turner, who donated more than $1.6 million to Auburn, supported the univer- sity’s Army, Air Force and Navy ROTC programs. In addition to possessing a strong belief in the power of education, Turner and White had something else in common — both were military veterans. Turner served in World War II and the Korean War, earning a Bronze Star in the process. White was a captain in the Air Force and served a nine-year tour that included a stint in Japan. The couple shared a love for helping young people, as well as a love for each other. They moved to Tempe, Ariz., but remained connected to Auburn. Turner passed away in 2008, but his endowed fund for excellence will create many op- portunities for Auburn students. White drew inspiration from his gesture. Lila Lansing White values Auburn’s personal touch Lila White (left) has a keen interest in research relating to autism and assistive technology. Named for the year in which the Department of Education (now the College of Education) was established, the 1915 Society recognizes donors whose lifetime contributions and commitments to the college have reached a cumulative total of $25,000 or more (includ- ing outright gifts, pledges and planned gifts). 1915 1915 Donor Recognition To see a full list of 1915 Society members, visit education.auburn.edu/giving Recognizing donors who have given between $25,000 and $99,999
  • 60. Keystone Volume VII, 201058 Donor Recognition TH E KEYSTONE PATRONS O F DE A N ’ S C I R C LE TH E KEYSTONE PATRONS O F DE A N ’ S C I R C LE DEA N ’ S C I R C LE PATRO N S O F T H E K E Y STONE V E R S ITY D U C A T ION KE Y STONE R C L E PATRON S OF THE KE Y STONE D E A N ’ S C I R C L E PATRO N S OF THE KEY STONE D E A N ’ S C I R C L E Patrons of the Keystone believe that education is central to building a better future for all. Patrons of the Keystone demon- strate their support of the College of Education by committing a multi-year pledge of financial support to the Dean’s Circle Fund. Each year, donations to the Dean’s Circle Fund provide the resources necessary for the college to exceed current levels of excellence in advancing its tri-fold mission of academic instruction, research and outreach. All alumni and friends of the College of Education are invited to become Patrons of the Keystone by committing a pledge of at least $1,000 per year for a minimum of three consecutive years. Benefits of Becoming a Patron of the Keystone • A College of Education Dean’s Circle lapel pin • Annual memento • An invitation to attend an annual banquet with the dean • Invitations to other college events throughout the year • Recognition as a member on the Patrons of the Keystone donor wall in Haley Center • Recognition as a Dean’s Circle member on the College of Education Web site • Personal satisfaction of contributing to the quality and success of the college, its faculty, staff and students • A tax deduction for 100 percent of your annual gift For additional information, please contact Molly McNulty, development coordinator, at molly.mcnulty@auburn.edu or 334.844.5793. Why did you join the Dean’s Circle? “In these tough economic times, it is imperative that our degrees in education from Auburn give us the competitive edge with HR departments when they are hiring. By joining the College of Education’s Dean’s Circle, we can work together to keep Auburn at the top academically and ensure our graduates jobs.” Beth Gregory St. Jean ’70 Marietta, Ga. To see a full list of the Patrons of the Keystone or to join, visit education.auburn.edu/giving
  • 61. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 59 Donor Recognition L L T H E H O N O R R O L L The Auburn University College of Education has established The Honor Roll — a permanent listing of individuals who have been recognized by current or former students, colleagues, family members or friends through a charitable contri- bution of $500. The Honor Roll is a fund created to commemorate the significant roles of educa- tors in our lives and are used to provide student and faculty support. There are several special occasions and reasons to honor an educator/mentor in your life: • Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Hanukkah or Christmas • Birthday, anniversary, retirement or new job • Graduation To say “thanks” to that special person, please contact Molly McNulty at molly.mcnulty@auburn.edu or 334.844.5793. What did inclusion on the Honor Roll mean to me? “In the first days after my husband’s mother passed away, we found with her belongings a small metal tray, painted a soft yellow, showing a black line drawing of a teacher at her chalkboard. Lettered on the tray were the words ‘Mrs. Housel is the best teacher.’ We’ll never forget that moment — a sweet connection between her heart and mine. I never knew Mrs. Housel during her teaching days, but she always shared her excitement and memories when she asked about my own classroom, planning and students. “I’m not sure any of us can be ‘the best teacher.’ We are called to ‘give our best.’ When we do,then with our students and with other teachers we learn, grow and become more than we were before our time together. When David contributed to the Honor Roll he did three things — he honored his mother and me, he supported the College of Education and its commitment to developing true educators and he recognized the ‘head and heart’ dedication of all educators. Thank you, David.’’ Susan McIntosh Housel ’73 Auburn, Ala. Why do I support the Honor Roll? “When you give to the Honor Roll, you are helping young people become the talent and leaders for the future of our country and our world. Your Auburn experience made a difference in your life. Why not make a difference in the lives of others by honoring a special person?” Dr. Carol E. Hutcheson ’69 Columbus, Ga. To see a full list of the Honor Roll, visit education.auburn.edu/giving
  • 62. Keystone Volume VII, 201060 2009 Pill ars of Trust recognizing donors who have contributed at least $1,000 and more American Chemical Society Ms. Mary Ann Pugh Arant AT&T Foundation Dr. Jim Bannon and Dr. Susan Bannon DC Mr. Frank Barbaree and Mrs. Warrene Barbaree 1915 Dr. Robert Boyce and Mrs. Mindy Boyce Mrs. Virginia Tolman Braswell Mr. Herman G. Broughton DC Dr. Phil Browning DC Mrs. Donna Burchfield DC HR Mr. Tom Burson and Mrs. Frances Burson DC Mrs. Nancy Tilden Campbell DC Mr. Jon Chancey and Mrs. Nancy Chancey DC HR 1915 Dr. Phillip Chansler and Dr. Mary-Claire McCarthy Mrs. Terrell Smyth Cheney DC Dr. Elizabeth S. Cheshire DC Mr. David Henry Clark DC Mr. Terry Coggins and Dr. Joanne Hamrick Coggins DC College of Education Student Council Comer Foundation Mr. David Cowden and Mrs. Betsy Cowden Dr. Cynthia Ann Cox DC HR Daewon America, Inc. Mr. Donald Ralph Davis Mr. L. Nick Davis Mr. H. Joe Denney DC Mr. Wesley Diehl and Mrs. Cidy Diehl Mr. David Dresher and Mrs. Debbie Dresher Mr. Paul Flowers and Mrs. Barbara Flowers 1915 Mrs. Connie Bomar Forester DC Rev. Byron Franklin and Mrs. Meriam Franklin 1915 Mrs. Betty Thrower Freeman DC 1915 Mr. David Fussell and Mrs. Barbara Fussell 1915 Mr. Ronald Gaiser and Mrs. Judi Gaiser DC 1915 Mrs. Barbara Daughtry Gosser DC Mr. George Hall and Mrs. Susie Hall DC Dr. Floyd Hall and Mrs. Martha Hall DC HR 1915 Mrs. Dottie W. Hankins Hanwha L&C Alabama, LLC Dr. Virginia Hayes DC HR Dr. Horace M. Holderfield Mrs. Lisa Hourigan Mr. David Housel and Mrs. Susan Housel DC HR 1915 Dr. Jim Hutcheson and Dr. Carol Hutcheson DC HR 1915 Mrs. Kay E. Ivey DC 1915 Dr. James T. Jenkins DC HR Mr. Foch Jinright and Mrs. Laura Jinright Mr. Ken Johns and Mrs. Barbara Johns DC Mrs. Kay Hathaway Jones 1915 Mrs. Martha McQueen Kennedy DC Kenny Howard Athletic Training Fellowship Dr. Maxwell Clark King Mrs. Mina Propst Kirkley DC Dr. William Kochan and Dr. Frances Kochan DC HR 1915 Korean Association of East Alabama Mr. Bill Langley and Mrs. Sharon Langley DC HR Dr. Gerald Leischuck and Mrs. Emily Leischuck DC 1915 Mr. Bill Linne and Mrs. Shirley Linne HR Dr. José Llanes and Mrs. Julia Llanes DC Mr. James Lovell and Mrs. Sharon Lovell DC HR Mr. Jim Manley and Mrs. Harriett Manley DC 1915 Mr. Jon Manry and Mrs. Hedy White Manry DC HR 1915 Mr. R. Wayne McElrath 1915 Col. Hollis Messer and Mrs. Alyce Jo Messer DC HR Dr. Imogene Mathison Mixson DC HR 1915 Dr. Jane Barton Moore DC HR 1915 Mr. Edward F. Murray Jr. DC Mr. James L. Murrell DC 1915 Dr. Byron Nelson and Mrs. Carolyn Nelson DC HR 1915 Mrs. Mary Hollis Newell Mrs. Sandra L. Newkirk 1915 Dr. Joan Vignes Newman DC Mrs. June Sellers Nichols DC Ms. Julie Rogers Nolen DC Opelika Industrial Development Mr. William Parker and Dr. Patsy Parker DC HR Dr. Harold Patterson and Mrs. Shirley Patterson* DC HR 1915 Mr. James Payne and Mrs. Angela Payne 1915 Mrs. Sue Atchison Pearson 1915 Dr. Richard Polmatier and Mrs. Janice Polmatier HR Mr. David Poole and Mrs. Lynda Poole Mr. John Prewitt and Mrs. Kym Prewitt DC HR Dr. Frances Skinner Reeves DC HR 1915 Mrs. Shirley Reynolds DC Mr. Ken Ringer and Dr. Joyce Ringer DC HR Dr. Joseph Russell and Mrs. Elizabeth Russell DC 1915 Mrs. Brenda Smith Sanborn DC Dr. Ron Saunders DC HR Mr. Todd Schuster and Mrs. Alliston Schuster Dr. Debbie L. Shaw DC 1915 Mrs. Marcia Loftin Sheppard DC Mr. Albert Smith and Mrs. Jule Collins Smith 1915 Mr. Jerry Franklin Smith DC HR 1915 Dr. John Carlton Smith DC HR Mr. Wayne Smith and Mrs. Cheryl Smith DC HR 1915 Mrs. Julia Huey Spano DC Dr. Ted Spears and Mrs. Shirley Spears DC HR Dr. Brett Sheldon Stark Jr. Mrs. Elizabeth Gregory St. Jean DC Dr. Barry Straus and Mrs. Denise Straus 1915 Dr. Tom Taylor and Mrs. Laura Ann Taylor DC HR The Ligon Foundation Mrs. Carol Cherry Varner DC Ms. Lila L. White 1915 Mr. Harry R. Wilkinson DC Mrs. Edna Hulme Willis Mr. Mark Wilton and Mrs. Cynthia Lee Wilton DC HR 1915 Dr. Jim Witte and Dr. Maria Witte DC Ms. Leslie S. Woodson DC HR Pill ars of Loyalt y recognizing donors who have given $500 to $999 Alabama FFA Alumni Association Dr. Richard Armstrong and Mrs. Marinell Armstrong Mrs. Cindy Stough Bailey Mrs. Beth Thomas Barnett Mrs. Mary Jeanette Barton Mr. Jim Black and Mrs. Kathy Black Mr. Ralph Bolt and Mrs. Betty Bolt Ms. Linda Louise Bomke Dr. Richard E. Brogdon HR Mr. Alan Coefield and Mrs. Tammy Coefield Mrs. Wanda F. Coffman Mrs. Belva Lee Collins Mrs. Janice Jones Cook Dr. John Dagley and Mrs. Peggy Dagley Mr. Rece Davis Mr. S. Eugene Dekich Mr. Timothy Farley and Mrs. Jennifer Farley Mr. James Flatt and Mrs. Susan Flatt Mr. Robert Gannon Mr. Barry Lynn Gilliland Mrs. Constance Jordan Green Halla Climate Systems Alabama Corp Hana Factory Automation Corporation Mrs. Brenda J. Hartshorn Mr. Rodney Hinton and Mrs. Judy Hinton Mrs. Joan Mize Holder Dr. Bessie Mae Holloway Mrs. Susan O’Neil Huffman Mr. Paul Hunt and Mrs. Lorraine Hunt Ken & OS, Inc. Mrs. Sarah Petit Kerrick Ms. Kate Kiefer Rev. Lowell Ledbetter Mr. James Lockett and Mrs. Peggy Lockett Col. William Long Jr. Ms. Frances M. Matters Dr. Bob Maughon Mr. Dow McDaniel and Mrs. Linda McDaniel Dr. C William McKee Mrs. Paula Stapp McMillan Ms. Luellen Nagle Mrs. Karen Stapp O’Brien Mr. Wynton Overstreet and Mrs. Charlotte Overstreet Mrs. Sharon K. Peterson Dr. Ellen Hahn Reames Lt. Col. John Ross Jr. Dr. Robert Rowsey and Mrs. Luella Rowsey HR SJA, Inc. Dr. Suhyun Suh Mr. Todd Thornell and Mrs. Melissa Thornell Mrs. Joy L. Tomasso 1915 Mrs. Joan Dickson Upton Mrs. Susan Carr Wadsworth Mr. Charles Wear and Mrs. Marion Wear Mrs. Teresa F. Wetherbee Pill ars of Hope recognizing donors who have given $100 to $499 Dr. Gwendolyn J. Adams Mr. Kenneth Ray Adams Mrs. Jane Brackin Adkinson Dr. Katrice Annette Albert HR Mr. F. Reg Albritton III Mrs. Julia S. Alexander Dr. Lydia Lewis Alexander Mr. Clarence Terrell Alford Dr. Timothy Alford and Mrs. Freddie Alford HR Mrs. Leigh Cannon Allbrook Mrs. Paula H. Allen Dr. Stanley Aman and Mrs. Cindy Aman Mrs. Dorothy Anderson Mrs. Tammy D. Anderson Mrs. Bebe Yancey Andrews Mrs. Katherine Dixon Anglin Dr. Anne Lewis Angstrom Anonymous Mrs. Jovette Gonzalez Arbona Mrs. Rebecca L. Armstrong Mrs. Alice Johnson Atkins Mr. George Atkins and Dr. Leah Atkins Dr. James Austin and Dr. Barbara Austin Mrs. Carol Dent Auten The Auburn University College of Education expresses its gratitude to the many alumni, friends and organi- zations who are key contributors to the college and its mission. This support helps the college in building better futures for all through its academic, research and outreach initiatives. This list of contributors rec- ognizes cumulative calendar year outright or planned gifts made to the College of Education during 2009. Key Contributors Key Contributors DC indicates a member of the Dean’s Circle 1915 indicates a member of the 1915 Society HR indicates an Honor Roll donor or honoree *deceased
  • 63. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 61 Ms. Laurie E. Averrett Mrs. Linda Garrett Awbrey Ms. April C. Baggett Ms. Jane Elizabeth Baker Mrs. Amy Elizabeth P. Balkcom Mr. Dale Ballard and Mrs. Martha Ballard Mrs. Stacia M. Barnes Dr. Mary Sue Barry Dr. Nancy H. Barry Mrs. Patricia Brown Baughman Dr. Mark Bazzell Mrs. Amy Jean Beasley Mrs. Jennifer Bea Beasley Mrs. Miriam Rhyne Beck Ms. Marian Collins Bentley Mrs. Jane Moody Bergman Mrs. Barbara S. Berman Mrs. Patricia J. Bethel Dr. Thomas Reginald Bice Dr. Dudley Bickham and Mrs. Beth Bickham Mr. George F. Blake Mrs. Patricia H. Blanchard Ms. Blaire Lynch Blanchette Ms. Rebecca Evans Blanton Dr. Fred Bodie and Mrs. Judy Bodie Mr. George Bolling and Mrs. Sally Bolling Mrs. Patricia Hughes Bolton Ms. M. Diane Boss Mr. Robert Louis Bottsford Dr. Robert Ralph Bouchard Jr. Mr. Roger Wayne Bowen Mrs. Camilla H. Bracewell Mrs. Lisa Faye Brackett Mr. Perry Branyon and Mrs. Peggy Branyon Dr. Kimberly Braxton-Lloyd Ms. Ellanee Dianne Bright Ms. L. Rebecca Britton Mr. James Wesley Brooks Mrs. Judilyn Brooks Mrs. Nancy R. Brooks Dr. Resia Thornton Brooks Mr. Austin Alexander Brower Ms. Beverly E. Brown Mrs. Kathy Zeigler Bruce Dr. William H. Bruce Jr. Mr. Robert Bryan and Mrs. Melissa Bryan Mr. R.L. Bryant and Mrs. Virginia Bryant Mrs. Karla M. Buffington Mrs. Kathryn W. Bugg Dr. Ernest Burdette and Mrs. Martha Burdette Dr. Bettye B. Burkhalter Mr. Stephen E. Burkholder Ms. Kathryn V. Burnett Ms. Pamela C. Burnette Lt. Col. Samuel M. Burney Jr. Dr. Ray G. Burnham Mrs. Leslie Maloney Burns Mrs. Pallie J. Butler Mr. Rodney Byard and Mrs. Rebecca Byard Mrs. Maureen Sheppard Byrd Ms. Melanie Ann Cadenhead Mr. Milton Fred Cadenhead Dr. Jane S. Cahaly Mr. John Ray Caldwell Mr. Fred Callahan and Mrs. Mona Callahan Mrs. Donna McClung Camp Mrs. Linda Mason Carleton Mrs. Molly M. Carmichael Mrs. Deborah Hopkins Carter Ms. Patsy M. Carter Mrs. Debra Nathan Caudill Ms. Allison L. Chaffin Mrs. Margaret Greer Chambers Dr. Thomas Chambliss and Mrs. Stella Chambliss Mrs. Martha Cox Champion Dr. Russell L. Chandler Ms. Charlene T. Chapman Mr. Don Chapman and Mrs. Beverly Chapman Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Judith Chase Choi, Kim & Park, LLP Mrs. Tanya Densmore Christensen Mrs. Mary Morris Clackler Mr. Daniel L. Clay Mr. Donald Keith Clayton Mr. Dwight Cobb and Mrs. Eve Cobb Dr. Daniel Joseph Codespoti Mrs. Janet Paley Coggins Mr. Charles Cole and Mrs. Margaret Cole Mrs. Louise Jackson Cole Mr. Edwin Paul Collier Jr. Mrs. Jane Floyd Colvin Dr. Michael Stephen Comeau Mr. Mitt Seymour Conerly Jr. Mr. James O. Conway Dr. Milton Olin Cook Mrs. Martha R. Cooper Mrs. Elaine Rhodes Copham Maj William W. Corless Mrs. Lettie Green Cornwell Mr. William Cottle and Mrs. Brenda Cottle Mrs. Lori Dammes Cowley Mr. John Word Crabbe Mrs. Shirley Tuggle Crafton Dr. Ouida L. Craig Dr. Franklin R. Croker Mrs. Dorothy Hackney Crook HR Mrs. Diane Myrick Cropp Ms. Jill T. Crow Mr. James Culbreth and Mrs. Suzanne Culbreth Mrs. Heather W. Daffin Mrs. Beatrice Dominick Dallas Mr. Joseph Franklin Daniel Mrs. Linnie Luker Daniel Mrs. Rochelle Morriss Davis Dr. Homer Alphonso Day Dr. Joseph J. Day Jr. Mrs. Marjorie Sellers Day Mrs. K Bene Deacon Mrs. Ann Harris De Hart Mrs. Betty McLendon DeMent Mr. Kirby S. Derrick IV Mr. Thomas Dignam and Mrs. Laverne Dignam Dr. David C. Diramio Mrs. Priscilla Gilmer Dixon Mr. Thomas R. Dixon Mrs. Faye Hicks Doane Mrs. Almena Fletcher Doss Ms. Dorothy Wilson Doten Dr. Teresa Taber Doughty Mr. Sylvester Van Dowdell Mrs. Sherida Hooke Downer Dr. James Bob Drake Ms. Kathryn R. Driscoll Ms. Jennifer Piccione Dugan Mrs. Betty Legg Dumas Mrs. Elise Petersen Dunbar Dr. Marla Hooper Dunham Mr. Matthew Scott Dunn Mrs. Julie F. Durrance Mrs. Gina Maria Eagerton Mrs. Barbara Ham Eilers Mr. John Russell Ellison Mrs. Patricia Roukema Evans Mr. James A. Everett Ms. Melissa Ann Ezell Mr. James R. Fagersten Mrs. Jodie Brantley Faith Mrs. Judith Jones Faris Mrs. Patricia S. Faulkenberry Dr. Richard Featherston III Dr. Thomas Fell and Mrs. Susan Fell Dr. Linda Felton-Smith Mr. Jonathan Matthew Finch Mr. John Arnold Fitzgerald Mr. John Henry Flathman Mrs. Elizabeth Fleming Mr. Wade H. Fleming Mrs. Ellen C. Flenniken Mrs. Margaret Dileo Flores Mrs. Brenda Hardman Forbus Ms. Leigh A. Forman Mr. Glenn Forrester and Mrs. Sylvia Forrester Capt. Marvin F. Forrester Ms. Ashley Michelle Forster Dr. Stephen Foster and Mrs. Joanna Foster Mrs. Elizabeth H. Garrett Ms. Joyce L. Garrett Mr. Ronald L. Garrett Mr. Phillip L. Garrison Dr. Henry Victor Gaston HR Dr. Rhonda Vinson Geddie Mr. Wayne Gibbons and Mrs. Anita Gibbons Ms. Amy Lora Giddens Mr. John W. Gilbert Mr. Thomas A. Glanton Mrs. Diane Schirmacher Glanzer Dr. John M. Goff Mr. Willis Marion Goolsby Mrs. Ann Clay Gordon Mrs. Becky J. Graham Mrs. Doris Jones Graves Dr. Harris R. Green Mrs. Lula Watson Green Mrs. Anna Holmes Greene Ms. Katherine W. Grego Ms. Mary Gigi Gregory Mrs. Sue W. Gresham Dr. Kathryn Uzzell Griffin Mrs. Virginia Horn Derby Grimes Mrs. Krystal A. Grizzard Mrs. Mary Chambers Gross HR Dr. Ann H. Guess Mrs. Sylvia Ballow Gullatt Ms. Elizabeth K. Guynn Mrs. Candis Hamilton Hacker Mrs. Jeffie Young Hage Mrs. Helen Johnson Hall Dr. Jane Nelson Hall Mr. Thomas Lynn Hall Mr. Lynwood Hector Hamilton Ms. Helen Frances Hanby Mrs. Wendy Kay Hanle Mrs. Kathleen Hart Hanofee Mrs. Jean L. Hanson Ms. Kathleen M. Hanson Dr. Jacqueline Terrill Harbison Dr. Martha Brown Harder Mrs. Jennifer Sims Hardison Mrs. Amy Peinhardt Harley Mr. Terry W. Harper Mr. Archie L. Harris Mrs. Beverly Smith Harris Mr. Gary Harris and Mrs. Diane Harris HR Mrs. Rosa Griffin Harris Dr. Thomas Earl Harrison Ms. Gwendolyn Elaine Hatcher Mrs. Mary Hunt Hayes Ms. Monica Lancaster Hayes Mrs. Cynthia H. Haygood Mrs. Theresa Defargee Haynes Mrs. Sue R. Hearn Mr. Larry Heisler and Mrs. Clara Heisler Ms. Ann Wynell Helms Ms. Brittany Karen Hemric Mrs. Linda Moore Henderson Dr. Mary Catherine Henderson Mrs. Susan Buck Herran Mrs. Sylvia Hickman Hess Mrs. Margaret Leach Hester Mrs. Carolyn Kerr Hickerson Mr. Roger Alan Hildebrandt Mrs. Sara Wade Hill Mrs. Holli Carter Hiltbrand Mr. Perry Hinds and Mrs. Susan Hinds Mrs. Linda Turner Hinson Dr. Nathan L. Hodges HR Mrs. Cathy H. Hoefert Mrs. Mary Shoffeitt Hoffman Mr. William Newton Hogg Mr. Lester Lee Holley Jr. Mr. Terry O’Neal Holloway Mrs. Kay Morris Holmes Dr. Barbara Jane Holt Mrs. Linda Wilson Holt Mrs. Kathryn Sansocie Hoppe Mr. & Mrs. Frank Hopson Mr. William Patrick Horton Mrs. Vicki Evans Hough Mrs. Patricia Shipman Hudson Mrs. Nancy F. Huey Mrs. Harriette H. Huggins Mrs. Betty T. Humphrey Ms. Jane H. Huntley Ms. Sandra Kaye Hutto Mrs. Jill Sprague Hyers Mrs. Peggy Kling Iber Mrs. Helen English Ingram Mrs. Kathleen Hogan Ingram Hon. Kenneth F. Ingram Dr. Teresa Singletary Irvin Mr. Charles Timothy Jackson Mrs. Suzanne Wiggins Jagar Dr. Kesha Mallory James Mr. Luther James and Mrs. Claudia James Col. David Johnson and Mrs. Penelope Johnson Dr. Harold Johnson and Mrs. Dorothy Johnson Ms. Rebecca Graves Johnson Mr. Carlton Richard Jones Dr. Don Jones and Mrs. Jennifer Jones Ms. Doris Jeanne Jones Mr. Kenneth Wade Jones Mr. Ron Jones and Mrs. Glenda Jones Mrs. Mary Tackett Keel Mr. Julian Keil and Mrs. Barbara Keil Mrs. Barbara McCrory Kelley Mrs. Kimberly Young Kelley Dr. Betty Harrison Kennedy Mr. Christopher S. Kennedy Mr. Scott Kennedy and Mrs. Patricia Kennedy Mrs. Erwin D. Key Mrs. Linda White Kieling Mrs. Jane Allison Kight Mrs. Catherine V. Killebrew Mrs. Melanie Davis King Mrs. Catherine P. Kirkpatrick Mr. Jerry Knight and Dr. Jane Knight Mrs. Lena Smith Knight Mrs. Kathy Twinem Krausse Mrs. Judy Liles LaFollette Dr. Donald Lambert and Mrs. Betty Lambert 1915 Mr. Joseph Lambert and Mrs. Jo Ann Lambert Mrs. Kathleen High Land Dr. Wright L. Lassiter Jr. HR Mrs. Carolyn Ennis Latham Mr. Othni Lathram and Mrs. Karen Lathram Mrs. Deborah Cottle Lawley Mrs. Gail Cartledge Laye Mrs. Katherine F. Leaver Mr. Sam F. Ledbetter Jr. Mr. Donald Ledford and Mrs. Rebecca Ledford Mr. Gregory Charles Lester Mrs. Mary Neill Lester Mrs. Carol Thompson Lewis Mr. Stephen Douglas Lindley Dr. Eddie T. Lindsey Mrs. Elizabeth M. Little Ms. Renee Denise Lloyd Mrs. Lela Melson Lofton Dr. Martha D. Long Mrs. Page Riley Loyd Ms. Ellen G. Lucy Dr. Cynthia Rolen Lumpkin Mrs. Jeanne Hall Lynch Mrs. Joann Henderson Malcolm Maj. Gen. Ted Mallory and Mrs. Alice Mallory Mrs. Sherry Nunn Manley Mr. D. Dale Mann Mrs. Marion Stuart Mann Mr. Steve Mann and Mrs. Jane Mann Mrs. Jennifer B. Marangos Mr. William Marley and Mrs. Vicki Marley Ms. Kimberly Irene Martin Dr. Wayne Gary Martin Mrs. Jan M. Mason Mrs. Lynda Prather Massey Dr. Linda Carolyn Mathews Mr. Robert Mayo and Mrs. Alice Mayo Mr. Melvin McAllister and Mrs. Jeanne McAllister Mrs. Jennifer Boissel McCain Mr. Fred McCallum and Mrs. Connie McCallum Mrs. Linda Kay P. McCartney Mrs. Marie Peeples McClure Key Contributors DC indicates a member of the Dean’s Circle 1915 indicates a member of the 1915 Society HR indicates an Honor Roll donor or honoree *deceased
  • 64. Keystone Volume VII, 201062 Mr. Wallace McCord and Mrs. Elisabeth McCord Dr. Theresa Marie McCormick Dr. William T. McCown III Mr. Gary D. McCrory Mr. Benjamin McDaniel and Mrs. Lynn McDaniel Rev. Byron R. McEachern Mr. Y. Mark McElreath Mr. Larry McElroy and Mrs. Mary McElroy Mrs. Marianne B. McLemore Mrs. Terri A. McLemore Mrs. Anne Garrett McMahan Mrs. Mary Elizabeth McNair Mrs. Virginia P. McPheeters Mrs. Barbara P. Menifield Mrs. Barbara Burns Merrill Mrs. Judith Newman Meydrech Mr. Roy Gene Mezick Mr. Chipley Shaun Miller Mr. Christopher B. Miller Mrs. Marilyn Carlson Miller Rev. Donald R. Minton Dr. F. Joseph Mitchell Mrs. Deborah Horne Monroe Mrs. Stacy Burley Moore Mr. Sheldon L. Morgan Mr. Terry Morgan and Mrs. Helen Morgan Mr. Charles Morris and Mrs. Carolyn Morris Mr. David Morris and Mrs. Karla Morris Mrs. Regina Diane Moses Dr. George Moss and Mrs. Amy Moss Col. Chris Moulton and Mrs. Betty Moulton Mrs. Cindy W. Moushegian Mrs. Karen H. Mullins Mr. Michael Peeples Murphy Mrs. Nan Timmerman Nabors Dr. James Nave and Mrs. Janet Nave Mr. Harry E. Neff III Dr. Bobby Gene Neighbors Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough L.L.P. Mrs. Sandra M. Nesbitt Mrs. Dianne Kimbell Newman Mrs. Lu Anne Newton Mr. Thomas Hiliary Nicholas Mr. John David Nicholson Mrs. Dorothy S. Norris Mrs. Mary J. Norris Dr. Norma L. Norton Dr. Kevin T. O’Meara Mrs. Sarah Taylor O’Connor Mr. & Mrs. Russell Julius Olvera Ms. Robin Blevins O’Neal Mr. Bob Osborne Mr. Simeon Pace and Mrs. Paula Pace Dr. Norman Lewis Padgett Mrs. Joan T. Palestini Mrs. Rosalyn Ketchum Palmer Mrs. Emily Jones Parham Mrs. Amy Black Parker Mrs. Dorothy Crump Parker Mr. Howard Parker and Mrs. Pamelia Parker Mrs. Diane Taylor Parks Mrs. Jane Riddle Parks Mrs. Deborah Smith Pass Dr. Gordon D. Patterson Sr. Dr. Robin E. Pattillo Mrs. Susan McKay Peacock Mrs. Martha Woods Peake Mrs. Virginia Boyd Pearson Mr. Jack Pease and Mrs. Lloyd Pease Mrs. Gail Roberts Pellett Mr. Roderick Durand Perry Mrs. Sandra Watson Pettis Mrs. Leigh Farrar Pharr Mr. Brian John Phillip HR Mrs. Ann Peters Phillips Col. Walton Phillips and Mrs. Jean Phillips Mr. Thomas Piedmont and Mrs. June Piedmont Mr. James Edward Pierce Mrs. Jean Teresa Pittman Mrs. Rebecca Susan Pitts Mr. William Pollak and Mrs. Susan Pollak Ms. Sarah Cox Pope Mr. Shandy Hugh Porter Mrs. Elizabeth C. Powell Mrs. Judy Terry Powell Mr. Donald B. Powers Jr. Lt.Col. Jack W. Presson Lt.Col. Charles H. Pritchett Mrs. Erma Carlisle Proctor Mrs. Mayrelizbeth P. Pryor Mr. John David Puckett Mr. John Belton Ramage Ms. Donna Joy Ray Mr. Roy Redderson and Mrs. Rayanna Redderson Dr. Cynthia J. Reed Mrs. Susan Howes Retzlaff Dr. Douglas Wayne Reynolds Mrs. Janet Fox Rice Dr. Dutchie Sellers Riggsby Mr. Jason C. Riley Mr. Raymond Edward Ringer Mrs. Dorothy Risley Mrs. Caroline Hume Ristad Mrs. Pamala C. Roberts Dr. Robert Roberts and Mrs. Louise Roberts Mrs. Stephanie D. Roberts Dr. William Ladon Roberts Mrs. Jeanne S. Robertson Mrs. Katie Jones Robertson Mrs. Shannon D. Robertson Mrs. Patricia V. Robinson Mr. Robert W. Rogers Mr. Robert W. Rogers Jr. Dr. Bill Rogers and Mrs. Carole Rogers HR Dr. Donald O. Rooks Mr. Glen Rose and Mrs. Joan Rose Mrs. Tracie C. Rosencrance Mrs. Lisa Hoffman Ross Mrs. Kelley Ledbetter Rote Dr. Mark A. Rowicki Mrs. Mary Sumrall Roy Mr. Harry T. Salyer Jr. Mr. Robert L. Sanders Mrs. Pamela Gordon Sandlin Mr. James Sands and Mrs. Rebecca Sands Mr. Alfred Sanspree and Dr. Mary Sanspree Dr. C. Cayce Scarborough* Mrs. Shirley King Scarbrough Mr. Roger P. Schad Mrs. Elizabeth Hardy Schmitt Ms. Elizabeth Ann Scott Mr. Gregg Seigart and Mrs. Janice Seigart Mrs. Kay Richardson Selah Mr. Leslie Self and Mrs. Amy Self Mrs. Martha Jones Senkbeil Mr. Jeff Seymour and Mrs. Tracey Seymour Mrs. Maura Frances Shaffer Mrs. Elizabeth T. Sheppard Mrs. Carol Curtis Sheridan Mrs. Connie Lynn Shewchuk Dr. Jonghee Shim Mrs. Wanda Marie Shirley Mrs. Alisa Walker Shivers Mrs. Kathleen B. Shivers Mrs. Jennifer N. Shockley Ms. Sandra S. Sikes Mrs. Mary Nash Simpson Mrs. Ann Blizzard Sims Mr. Charles Skinner and Mrs. Margaret Skinner Mr. Kay Slayden and Mrs. Nancy Slayden Mrs. Patricia Myers Small Mr. Robert N. Smelley Mrs. Bonnie Lavonia Smith Mrs. Elizabeth Bagby Smith Mrs. Emily Sellers Smith Mrs. Emwynn Neal Smith Mr. Jeffery Kenneth Smith Dr. Mary Alice Smith Mrs. Mary Miller Smith Mrs. Susan C. Smith Mrs. Peggy C. Smitherman Mr. John Smyth and Mrs. Leigh Smyth Mrs. Jacqueline Lee Sneed Mrs. Elizabeth Byrd Soyars Mrs. Marsha Hampton Spain Mrs. Laura L. Spencer Ms. Jacquelin J. Spike Dr. Ernest Clayton Spivey Mrs. Janet W. Spruiell Mr. Leonard Stamps and Mrs. Martha Stamps Mrs. Gloria Cardwell Standard Mrs. Linda English Stanley Mr. Andrew Steele and Mrs. Susan Steele Mr. John Kenneth Stegall Ms. Susan Shahan Stelly Mr. Gerald Austin Stephens Mrs. Robbie Q. Stephenson Mrs. Helen Leverette Stewart Rev. Marcus Stewart and Mrs. Carolyn Stewart Mrs. RoseLyn G. Stone Mrs. Karen Long Stout Dr. Stephen Paul Stratton Mrs. Jane Paxton Street Mrs. Kathleen G. Strickland Dr. Marilyn E. Strutchens Mrs. Carra Caruso Summers Mr. Randall Harold Swann Mrs. Patricia H. Swecker Dr. Lavon Talley and Mrs. Valda Talley Mrs. Loren Waller Tanner Ms. Sonja Kim Taylor Dr. Wayne Teague and Mrs. Josephine Teague Dr. John Waits Teel Mr. Richard Tenhet and Mrs. Nancy Tenhet Mrs. Julie Hundley Terrell Mr. Calvin E. Thames Ms. Tamara Sasha Thomas Mr. Sam Thomason and Mrs. Suzanne Thomason Dr. Edwin Alfred Thompson Mr. Foy Campbell Thompson Mr. John McDermott Thompson Dr. Martha Williams Thompson Dr. Jan Dowdle Thornton Dr. Wilbur A. Tincher Jr. Mr. Elmo Torbert and Mrs. June Torbert* Mrs. Barbara S. Townsend Mrs. Mary Townsend Mrs. Martha Self Tredaway Mrs. Durelle Lamb Tuggle Mr. Michael Tullier and Mrs. Dianna Tullier HR Mrs. Debra Usry Turner Mrs. Susan Perry Turner Mrs. Toni Thompson Turpen Mr. David Tuszynski and Mrs. Sarah Tuszynski Mrs. Kristin Burkhalter Vance Mrs. Patricia Gill Van Laningham Mrs. Rhonda Burks Van Zandt Dr. Martha Hay Vardeman Mrs. Nancy Brown Veale Mrs. Jocelyn Wilcher Vickers Dr. Susan K. Villaume Mrs. Jan Christman Vowell Mrs. Janet Engel Wade Mrs. Leann Coker Walker Mr. William Forrest Walker Mrs. Jean Cash Wallace Mrs. Martha M. Wallace Mr. William Wallingsford Mrs. Leah Hubbard Walton Mr. James Ward and Mrs. Sherry Ward Ms. Nancy Wood Ward Dr. Douglas Delano Warren Mrs. Virginia Barnett Warren Mrs. Mary Jo Wasson Ms. Michele F. Waters Mrs. Jacqueline H. Watkins Mr. & Mrs. Joel Colley Watson Dr. Jacquelynn Wattenbarger Mrs. Marilyn A. Watts Mrs. Elizabeth Mason Wayne Mrs. Giscene Rister Weaver Dr. Harry Weaver and Mrs. Sarah Weaver Mrs. Lucy Hargrove Weigle Mr. Bobby Welch and Mrs. Geraldine Welch Mr. Rob Wellbaum and Mrs. Christine Wellbaum Mrs. Barbara W. Whatley Dr. W. Mabrey Whetstone HR Mrs. Jaime Burton White Ms. Marilyn L. Whitley Mr. Donald Earl Whitlock Mrs. Susan Dryden Whitson HR Mrs. Catherine Laing Wike Mrs. Melissa Bearden Wilber Dr. Ellen Waller Wiley Mr. David Wilkins and Mrs. Susan Wilkins Mrs. Carol S. Williams Mr. Knox Williams and Mrs. Jean Williams 1915 Mr. James H. Williams Dr. Jerry Frank Williams Mrs. Regilynn Williams Ms. Jane Kerr Williamson Mrs. Joy Daniel Wilson Mrs. Vickie Mayton Wilson Mrs. Carolyn Sutton Wingard Mrs. Mary Whitlock Winkler Mrs. S. Lynn C. Wolfe Mrs. Susan Long Womack Mrs. Evelyn Smith Wood Mr. Jerome Wood and Mrs. Linda Wood Mr. Marvin R. Woodall III Dr. Shirley H. Woodie Mr. Shelton Woodson and Mrs. Barbara Woodson Mrs. Emily Corcoran Woste Mrs. Beth Morgan Wright Ms. Janice Marie Wright Mrs. Jeanette Milton Wyrick Mr. David Boyd Yates Dr. Linda Snow Yates-Williams Mrs. Marty King Young Mrs. Marie M. Zaminer Mr. Chris Zodrow and Mrs. Catherine Zodrow HR Mrs. Kathy Zoghby DC indicates a member of the Dean’s Circle 1915 indicates a member of the 1915 Society HR indicates an Honor Roll donor or honoree *deceased
  • 65. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 63 William “Bill” Langley ’63 believes in the concept of education as a gift that keeps on giving. His belief is so strong, in fact, that he used last Christmas to give the gift of educational oppor- tunities to others. Langley made a donation to the College of Education in each of his children’s names. “The thought occurred to me that there are students who need money to complete their educations who are deserving [of sup- port],’’ said Langley, a member of the College of Education National Advisory Council’s executive committee. “It occurred to me that this would be a wonderful way to honor our children as well, to make a donation to the College of Education for scholarship purposes. That’s what we did this past year and that’s something we will be doing [in the future],’’ Langley added. “We could help bring more scholarship money into the college and it would be of great help to those students who need it.’’ Langley, a member of the college’s Dean’s Circle and a contribu- tor to its Honor Roll, drew inspiration from his son-in-law, ESPN broadcaster Rece Davis. Years ago, when a charitable fund was set up to help defray the medical expenses of a co-worker’s son, Davis made donations in the names of Langley and his wife, Sharon. Langley, a Columbus, Ga., entrepreneur who owns Sidewinder, Inc., said he and his family have made similar gestures each Christmas. “We don’t give gifts anymore,’’ he said. “We make a gift in their name to some charitable cause. [The College of Education] cer- tainly serves the purpose of being a worthwhile cause.’’ The selflessness exhibited by Langley and so many other friends of the College of Education has made a difference in the lives of many students. Before he commanded a tank in the First Armored Division during the Korean War, Dr. Maxwell King ’50 commanded a class- room in his hometown of Fort Pierce, Fla. He did the job so well, in fact, that his students wouldn’t let him leave for his military training without a fight. “The kids went down to the local sheriff and said, ‘We don’t want Mr. King to leave, can you arrest him?’,’’ recalled King, who gradu- ated from Auburn with a degree in general education. “That didn’t last but for about 15 minutes.’’ King’s ability to touch students has remained a constant, how- ever. He committed himself to an academic career after his military service, earning a master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Florida and completing postdoctoral studies at the University of Texas. His passion for learning led to a career in education adminis- tration as the founding president at Indian River (Fla.) Community College and as president of Brevard (Fla.) Community College. He served in the latter role for 30 years, retiring in 1998. No matter where he worked or in what capacity, however, King has lived The Auburn Creed. One of the ways he has chosen to demonstrate his belief in education and in the human touch is by investing in the College of Education’s students. He established the Dr. Maxwell C. King Annual Scholarship in 2006 to support students in the college’s teacher education pro- grams. King said his motivations for creating scholarship opportu- nities were shaped long before he charted a career course that in- cluded stints as a classroom teacher, coach, school principal and college president. “I believe in treating people right and I learned a lot of that at Auburn,’’ King said. Football brought King to Auburn and it kept him there even after he suffered a ca- reer-ending injury. Growing up in a family with modest means, King readily accepted a football scholarship offer from Auburn and got off to a fast start with the freshman team in 1946. During his first game, after being ridden to the turf following a long run, King sustained a broken collar bone. During his next season, he started off strong before suffering a knee injury that effectively ended his football career. King put down his helmet and picked up a new role, treating injuries rather than risking them. “The coaches kept me on scholarship and I worked as a trainer for the last two years,’’ King said. “They were real good to me. They didn’t have to keep me [on scholarship], but the coaches felt like I had something to offer and I needed the education. I’m sure that motivated me to always help people where I can.’’ King and his wife, Doris, have certainly been known for their willingness to give to others. A performing arts center in Mel- bourne, Fla., bears King’s name because of his tireless work devoted to bringing a fine arts center to the community. Langley family spreading holiday cheer with education gifts King ’50 believes in College of Education students “It occurred to me that this would be a wonderful way to honor our children as well, to make a donation to the College of Education for scholarship purposes.’’ William “Bill’’ Langley ’63
  • 66. Keystone Volume VII, 201064 1951 Jesse Blakely [B, general education] is chief supervi- sor at Dupont’s Savannah River Plant in Aiken, S.C. 1952 Eugene Guazzo [B, gen- eral education], who later earned a medical degree from Duke University in 1965, retired from rural medical practice in 2008 and has began substitute teaching in St. Mary’s County (Md.) Public Schools. 1961 Nancy Gause Becker [B, business education] is a computer applications business teacher at Vestavia Hills (Ala.) High School. 1964 Elizabeth “Libba” Hunter Russell [B, social science education], of Columbus, Ga., was appointed to a three-year term of service on the Auburn Univer- sity College of Education’s National Advisory Council, beginning August 2010. She is a retired educator. 1966 Rick Wood [B, exercise science] retired in 2006 after teaching and coaching for 40 years in Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and North Carolina. He currently serves on the Henderson County (N.C.) Board of Education. 1968 Nancy Callaway Dunn [B, general education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certi- fied Teachers in 2009. She teaches English language arts in the Fairbanks Local Schools system in Milford Center, Ohio. Timothy Opal Alford [B, social science education; M, educational adminis- tration and supervision, 1972; D, administration of elementary and secondary education, 1985] was ap- pointed executive director of the newly instituted Alabama Construction Recruitment Institute, created by an act of the Alabama Legislature as part of the Alabama Workforce Development Initiative. It seeks to enhance the image of skilled construc- tion workers and provide recruitment and training opportunities throughout Alabama. Alford, a member of the college’s National Advisory Council since 2006, had held several local and statewide public service positions in his career, including director of the Alabama State Office of Workforce Develop- ment, mayor of Enterprise, and executive director of the Enterprise Economic Development Corporation. His educational service in- cludes dean of development for Enterprise State Junior College, and city schools assistant superintendent and superintendent, princi- pal and secondary teacher. 1970 Elizabeth “Beth” Grego- ry St. Jean [B, elementary education; M, education, 1973], of Marietta, Ga., was named to a three-year term on the Auburn Univer- sity College of Education’s National Advisory Council, beginning August 2010. She is the supervisor of the Georgia Teacher Alterna- tive Preparation Program. 1971 Rebecca Kirkland Garner [B, elementary education] is retired yet teaching part- time with Duval County (Fla.) Schools. Kyo “Paul” Jhin [D, mathematics education] was among the princi- pal signers of an August 2009 memorandum of understanding between the United Nations’ Office of Partnerships and Informa- tion Technology Corps. Jhin, signing as CEO of the Information Technol- ogy Corps, was joined by Amir Dossal, executive director of the UN Office of Partnerships. The partner- ship will improve access to information communica- tions technology and edu- cational opportunities for underprivileged students in developing countries by providing thousands of new and refurbished computers. 1972 Mary Margaret Kite Fer- guson [B, elementary edu- cation] is a reading coach with Montgomery County (Ala.) Public Schools. 1973 Patricia Lord Chandler [B, business education] was named a 2009 FamilyTime Woman of Achievement by the FamilyTime Crisis and Counseling Center in Humble, Texas, for making a significant difference in the community through her selfless acts of service and generous contributions of time. Chandler, program manager for Continuing Education at Lone Star College-Kingwood (Texas), leads the college’s Academy for Lifelong Learning — a program providing classes and activities for senior citizens age 50 or older. Mary Virginia “Ginger” Parker Johnson [B, elementary education] is a kindergarten teacher with Macon-East Montgomery Academy in Cecil, Ala. Legend B: bachelor’s (B.S./BMED) M: master’s (M.S./M.Ed.) D: doctorate (Ph.D./Ed.D.) Let us know what’s happening in your life! Submit your news, as well as updates to your contact information by clicking the online update button on the home page of education.auburn.edu.
  • 67. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 65A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 65 Alumni Spotlight Bice ’77 earns UCEA educational leadership award Although Dr. Tommy Bice ’77 has served as Ala- bama’s deputy superintendent of education for instruc- tional services for less than two years, his commitment to solidifying leadership and evaluation in the state and to realizing the potential of such programs as the Alabama Reading Initiative and Alabama Math, Science, and Tech- nology Initiative hasn’t gone unnoticed by K-20 educators. Bice, a two-time graduate of the College of Education, received the 2009 University Council for Education Administration’s Excellence in Educational Leadership Award. Bice, who studied mental retardation while at Auburn, joined the Alabama Department of Education in 2008. His responsibilities include oversight of curricu- lum and instruction, assessment and accountability, federal programs, prevention and support services, information systems, special education, instructional leader- ship and evaluation, the Alabama Reading Initiative and the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative. Before serving as a local school superintendent and high school principal, Bice gained experience in a broad assortment of categories. He also worked as a special edu- cation teacher, psychometrist, career technical director and alternative school director. While a local school superintendent for Alexander City (Ala.) Schools, he served as an adjunct professor in the College of Education. He has also served as the state president of the Alabama Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and as president- elect of the School Superintendents of Alabama. 1974 Patricia Smith Faulken- berry [B, speech com- munication] is a Realtor with RE/MAX of Orange Beach working out of its Perdido Key, Fla., office and licensed in both Alabama and Florida. Vicki Harrell Formby [B, elementary education] retired in May 2007 from Ohatchee (Ala.) Elemen- tary School after 33 years in education. Penelope Davis Johnson [B, general education] retired from teach- ing after 27 years in the U.S. and overseas with the U.S. Department of Defense. She now works as a Realtor with Coldwell Banker A&W Real Estate in Auburn, Ala. Cathy Hobbs Long [voca- tional and adult education: B, 1974; D, 1983; M, educa- tion, 1975] will retire as principal of Auburn (Ala.) High School, effective August 1, 2010. She joined the school’s faculty in the 1990s as assistant principal, served as interim principal, and has served the past six years as principal. Melanie Martin Stover [B, mental retardation] is a Realtor with Realty South/ Oneonta in Oneonta, Ala. Brenda Forman Weile [B, secondary social science education] is an indepen- dent sales representative for Avon in Greensboro, N.C. 1975 Katherine Oliver Discher [B, speech/theatre educa- tion] is a senior mortgage broker with Envoy Mort- gage Inc. in Macon, Ga. Wright Lassiter Jr. [D, administration of higher education] completed a three-year term on the Auburn’s College of Educa- tion’s National Advisory Council in March 2010. He is chancellor of the Dallas County (Texas) Commu- nity College District. 1976 Mary Phillips Fenney [B, speech communication education] is the accredita- tion coordinator and de- velopment assistant for St. John Newmann Regional Catholic School in Lilburn, Ga. She recently coordi- nated the dual accreditation self-study for the Southern Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SAIS-SACS) for her school. She has worked for the Archdiocese of Atlanta for 10 years. Patsy Nix Hunter [B, spe- cial education] is a teacher at Longwood Elementary School in Shalimar, Fla. James “Lee” Perrett [B, secondary education] is a senior vice president with Tyler and Company, an Atlanta-based firm special- izing in healthcare and life science executive search. Anthony Gerard Pi- azza [B, exceptional children] teaches middle school in Gwinnett County Public Schools in Suwanee, Ga. His career spans more than 30 years and includes a master’s in guidance and counsel- ing from the University of Alabama, and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Alabama Birmingham. Debbie Nichols Smalley [B, music education], along with husband and area pe- diatrician Dr. David Smal- ley, were named citizens of the year by the Auburn (Ala.) Rotary Club. Rotary recognized the couple’s love for children through their community service, charity work and work as foster and adoptive parents. The award is the club’s most prestigious honor, presented to citizens in the community who have truly made a difference and exemplified Rotary’s motto “service above self.” Dr.
  • 68. Keystone Volume VII, 201066 Smalley is a 1976 Auburn graduate with a bachelor’s in accountancy. Carol S. Williams [B, elementary education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certified Teachers in 2009. She teaches second grade at Vestavia Hills’ (Ala.) Liberty Park Elementary School. 1977 Karen Brown Dennis [B, English language arts education] is an English teacher at Trinity Presbyte- rian School in Montgom- ery, Ala. 1978 Laurel Harbour Bertram [B, early childhood educa- tion] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certified Teachers in 2009. She is a generalist/early childhood teacher in the Birmingham (Ala.) City Schools system. Jenney Jones Crenshaw [B, social science educa- tion] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certified Teachers in 2009. She works in library media in Buncombe County (N.C.) Schools. Mary Montgomery [men- tal retardation: B, 1978; M, 1981] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certified Teachers in 2009. She is an exceptional needs specialist in Marion County (Fla.) Schools. Linda Woodby Sears [B, social science education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certified Teachers in 2009. She works in library media in the Shelby County (Ala.) school system. Marie McCann Zaminer [B, speech pathology, 1978; M, audiology, 1979] is a speech-language patholo- gist in the Woonsocket (R.I.) Education Dept. 1979 Howard “Pat” Garner Jr. [B, recreation administra- tion] is teaching in Mont- gomery, Ala., where he is also involved with LBA Properties, Nolan Research and DuVita. Jennifer Jarvis [B, health, physical education and recreation] was named di- rector of Auburn’s Campus Recreation program in July 2009. A 28-year veteran of Campus Recreation, she was previously director of recreational facilities since 1989. She had directed Campus Recreation on an interim basis for 17 months before her permanent ap- pointment. She oversees the construction of the new Student Recreation Center, as well as current campus recreational facilities, intra- mural sports, club sports and the Lifetime Wellness and Fitness Programs. Helen Harris Wagner [B, speech pathology] is a speech-language patholo- gist at Saks Elementary School in Anniston, Ala. 1980 Nancy Weeks Chandler [M, mathematics educa- tion; D, education, 1990] was named president of the Enterprise-Ozark Community College by the Alabama State Board of Education in May 2009. She had served as interim president for nearly a year before becoming EOCC’s first female president. Angela Jones Garner [B, elementary education] is teaching at Flowers Elementary School in Montgomery, Ala. Henry Victor Gaston [D, administration of higher education] completed a three-year term on the Auburn University College of Education National Advisory Council in March 2010. A resident of Mobile, Ala., Gaston has been a state representative in the Alabama House of Representatives, serving the state’s 100th District. 1981 William Clayton Cox [B, health, physical education and recreation] is adminis- trator of Beckwood Manor Inc. in Anniston, Ala. 1982 Connie Casaday Carpen- ter [B, early childhood education] is a teacher in Russell County (Ala.) Schools. Elizabeth “Besty” Leer Gore [B, exercise science; M, biology education, 2009] joined the faculty of Opelika (Ala.) High School in August 2009. Vivian Hardwick Miller [B, home economics educa- tion] is an information technology specialist with the Business Outreach Cen- ter in Auburn University’s College of Business. 1983 Sharon Smith Howard [B, health, physical educa- tion and recreation] is director of children and family ministries at Moun- tain Brook Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala. Elizabeth Byrd Soyars [B, speech pathology] is a special education teacher at McNeill Elementary School, part of the Bowling Green (Ky.) Independent Schools system. 1985 Carol Leigh McArdle [B, elementary education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certified Teachers in 2009. She teaches mathematics in Jefferson County (Ala.) Schools. 1986 Stephan Bryan Barnes [elementary education: B, 1986; M, 1990] was named 2009-10 teacher of the year at Jeter Primary School in Opelika, Ala. Merri Lynn Gregory [B, early childhood education] was named 2009-10 teacher of the year by Lee County (Ala.) Schools’ Beulah Elementary School, where she teaches fourth grade. Beth Depreast Newman [B, secondary education] is a guidance counselor with Decatur (Ala.) City Schools. Leah Huddleston Reid [B, English language arts education] is a teacher at Decatur (Ala.) Heritage Christian Academy. Cathy Brooks Reynolds [B, marketing education] is a travel agent and owner of Shelby Travel in Maylene, Ala. 1987 DeKoslin Cook Robinson [B, distributive education] is a counselor with Phenix City (Ala.) Schools. 1988 Maxine Casey [B, early childhood education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certi- fied Teachers in 2009. She is a business education teacher at Monroe County (Ala.) High School Emily Spaulding Pharez [B, exercise science] was the 2007 National Associa- tion of Sport and Physical Education’s (NASPE) na- tional middle school physi- cal education teacher of the year. She was selected in 2006 as Alabama’s nominee, then selected from among 13 Southeastern states as the Southern District teacher of the year. As the NASPE teacher of the year, Pharez traveled throughout the U.S., and continues to as a result of this honor. Marilyn McCoy Player [M, rehabilitation and special education; M, ad- ministration of elementary and secondary education, 2009] joined the faculty of Auburn (Ala.) Junior High School in August 2009. 1989 Jimmy Black [B, agri- cultural education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certi- fied Teachers in 2009. He is a career and technical education teacher in the Laurence County (Ala.) school system. Amy Cameron Fidis [B, ex- ercise science] is a teacher’s assistant at Black Mountain (N.C.) Primary School. Jennifer Leigh Register Taylor [B, early childhood education] is an educator and online instructor with Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz. Linda Faye Thomas [B, business education] is a business marketing teacher at the Chambers County Career Technical Center in Lafayette, Ala. Legend B: bachelor’s (B.S./BMED) M: master’s (M.S./M.Ed.) D: doctorate (Ph.D./Ed.D.)
  • 69. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 67 Alumni notes Alumni Spotlight Austin ’86 appointed to direct Joint Chiefs office Lt. Gen. Lloyd James Austin III, a 1986 counselor education graduate, was appointed in August 2009 as director of the Joint Staff, following recommendations by the chair- man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the U.S. secretary of defense, and confirmation by the U.S. Senate. As director, Austin, a three-star general, assists the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by managing the office, which includes an equal number of Army, Naval, Marine Corps and Air Force officers who assist the chairman with the unified strategic direction, operation and integration of U.S. military forces. Austin was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry in June 1975, from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. His 35-year military career includes command of the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg from December 2006 until February 2008, when he became the second-highest ranking commander in Iraq and took command of the Multinational Corps-Iraq and directed operations of about 152,000 joint and coalition forces in all sectors of Iraq. He returned to his Fort Bragg command in April 2009 until his Joint Staff appointment later that year. Besides his degree from Auburn and extensive military education, he holds a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Military Academy and a master’s in business management from Webster University (St. Louis, Mo.).   His extensive list of awards and decorations for distinguished service and heroism includes the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal. Lt. Gen. Austin’s wife, Charlene, is a fellow Auburn graduate, having earned a master’s in school counseling in 1985. 1990 Suzette Stone Davidson [B, English language arts education] joined the fac- ulty of Auburn (Ala.) High School in August 2009. Shannon Pass [B, early childhood education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certi- fied Teachers in 2009. She teaches reading and lan- guage arts in the Birming- ham (Ala.) City Schools Jenny Hardy [early child- hood education: B, 1990; M, 1995] joined the faculty of Ogletree Elementary School in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. Rebecca Burford Malone [B, elementary education] is assistant headmaster and English teacher at Wilcox Academy in Camden, Ala. 1991 Nancy Smith Crutchfield [early childhood educa- tion: B, 1991; M, 1993] was among Alabama’s 2008-09 Teacher of the Year “Sweet 16” finalists after first being named Auburn (Ala.) City Schools’ 2008-09 elemen- tary teacher of the year, and Ogletree Elementary School’s 2008-09 teacher of the year. She teaches second grade. 1992 Alana K. Archer [B, mental retardation] is a special education teacher with Albertville (Ala.) City Schools. Diana Breeze Gibbs [elementary education: B, 1992; M, 1996] joined the faculty of Ogletree Elemen- tary School in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. Emily Coats Lambert [elementary education: B, 1992; M, 1993] teaches at Central High School in Florence, Ala. Susan Skala Ryals [M, rehabilitation and special education] joined the fac- ulty of Southview Primary School in Opelika, Ala., in August 2009. 1993 Cristen Herring [elemen- tary education: B, 1993; M, 1994] was named associate superintendent of Auburn (Ala.) City Schools, ef- fective June 1, 2010. She began with the school sys- tem in 1993, and has been principal of both Ogletree Elementary and Auburn Early Education Center, as well as her most recent assignment as the system’s elementary curriculum director. Gregory “Scott” Berry [M, music education] has opened his solo law prac- tice in Scottsboro, Ala. 1994 Debbie Sue Donaho [B, elementary education, 1994; M, early childhood education, 1996] is a special education teacher in Bro- ward County (Fla.) Public Schools. Kathryn “Katie” Pattillo Fisher [administration of higher education: M, 1994; D, 1998] was named dean of students at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, N.C. The university is a co-ed institution with an enroll- ment of about 1,675. Todd Freeman [M, social science education] was in January 2010 appointed as principal of Auburn (Ala.) High School, effective July 1. He has served for six years as executive director of operations and adminis- trative services for Auburn City Schools. He taught social science at Auburn High School for 10 years before his central office appointment. Kimberly Wheaton [B, elementary education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certi- fied Teachers in 2009. She teaches reading and lan- guage arts in the Broward (Fla.) school system. 1995 Matthew Shane Kendrick [B, general social science education] was named assistant principal of Lee County (Ala.) Schools’ Wacoochee Junior High School in July 2009. Roderick Perry [B, health promotion; M, administra- tion of higher education, 1998], was named to a three-year term on the Auburn University College of Education’s National Advisory Council, begin- ning August 2010. He is senior associate athletic director and director of administration for Wright State University’s Athletics Department in Dayton, Ohio. 1996 Beverly Ginn Adams [early childhood special education: B, 1996; M,
  • 70. Keystone Volume VII, 201068 Having nearly completed her first year as Kentucky State University’s director of athlet- ics, Dr. Denisha Hendricks ’01 qualifies as a trailblazer in her field. Hendricks accepted the Kentucky State job when she was 30, becoming the youngest athletic director in school history. She said her social and educational experiences at Auburn helped shape her deci- sion to pursue a career in athletic administration. “Growing up in Auburn, athletics has always been a major part of my life,’’ said Hendricks, an Auburn native whose mother, Dr. Con- stance Smith Hendricks, is a professor in Auburn’s School of Nursing. “Initially I pursued a career in athletic training, but soon discovered I could affect change more if I had a seat in the boardroom. “Auburn helped shape my philosophy about athletics, education and administration. I learned how an athletic department should be run, how an administrator should act and how to make careful and well researched timely decisions. ... The education I received at Auburn prepared me greatly for all that I have experienced thus far and I am certain I am well prepared for the future.” Hendricks, who earned master’s and doctoral degrees in higher educa- tion administration from Auburn in 2001 and 2004, respectively, leads a department that offers 13 varsity sports. The Kentucky State Thorobreds, members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, compete in football, baseball, softball, golf, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field. Before going to Kentucky State, Hendricks served as senior women’s administrator and assistant director of athletics for internal operations at North Carolina’s Johnson C. Smith University. Alumni Spotlight Hendricks sits tall in saddle with Thorobreds 1998] is an early childhood special education teacher at Auburn (Ala.) Early Educa- tion Center. Kimberly Epperson [early childhood education: B, 1996; M, 1997] joined the faculty of Opelika (Ala.) High School in August 2009. Adam Kelley [M, elemen- tary education] is manager of corporate communica- tions for Children’s Health System in Birmingham, Ala. He recently con- cluded his term as 2009 president of the Southern Public Relations Federa- tion, a regional network of more than 1,300 public relations professionals from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle. Lori Wheeles McCain [B, health promotion] is a licensed physical therapist assistant at Clay County Hospital in Ashland, Ala. 1997 Laura Sargeant Brown [elementary education: B, 1997; M, 2000] was named 2009-10 teacher of the year at Auburn (Ala.) City Schools’ Wrights Mill Road Elementary School, where she teaches third grade. Sandy Smith Dean [B, early childhood educa- tion] is a teacher with Clay County (Ala.) Schools in Ashland, Ala. Jeremy Fischer [D, educational psychology] is director of public and institutional banking with RBC Bank in Granite Falls, N.C. Jerlando F.L. Jack- son [M, ad- ministration of higher education] published his third book, Ethnic and Racial Admin- istrative Diversity: Understand- ing Work Life Realities and Experi- ences in Higher Education (Jossey- Bass), in late 2009. He is an associate professor of higher and postsecondary education in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, faculty associate for the Wisconsin Center for the Advancement of Postsecondary Education, and faculty affiliate in the Weinert Center for En- trepreneurship (School of Business) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Joseph Schmitt [B, mathematics education] is a mathematics teacher at Selinsgrove (Pa.) Area High School. Thomas Patrick Taylor [B, physical education], of Charlotte, N.C., was appointed to a three- year term on the Auburn University College of Education’s National Advisory Council, begin- ning August 2010. He is an account director with GMR Marketing. Natalie Lynn Ware [B, elementary education] teaches in Bay District Schools in Panama City, Fla. 1998 Jenna Ledsinger Chap- man [B, elementary education] now teaches fifth-grade mathematics at Dean Road Elementary School in Auburn, Ala. Heather Donoghue Duewer [M, rehabilitation and special education] is a S.C.O.R.E.S. teacher in the Austin (Texas) Independent School District’s Paredes Middle School Robert Pritchett II [B, social science education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certi- fied Teachers in 2009. He teaches social sciences in the Jackson County (Ala.) school system. Lori Parish St. Onge [exercise science: B, 1998; D, 2008], of Enterprise, Ala., was named as the Auburn University College of Education’s representa- tive to Auburn’s Research Advisory Board in the university’s Office of the Vice President for Re- search. She is the research administration manager at the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory at Ft. Rucker. 1999 Chris Haon [B, elementary education] is a head coach in the Cobb County (Ga.) Schools system. Rebecca McConnell Loiacano [health promo- tions: B, 1999; M, 2001] is a physical therapist with Lee Memorial Health System in Ft. Myers, Fla. She received her doctorate in physical
  • 71. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 69 therapy from Sage College (Albany, N.Y.). Roger Charles Reetz Jr. [B, elementary educa- tion] was named 2009-10 secondary teacher of the year by Baldwin County (Ala.) Schools after also being named teacher of the year at Gulf Shores (Ala.) Middle School, where he teaches seventh grade regu- lar and advanced math and journalism. In March 2010, he was among the “Sweet 16” finalists for Alabama’s 2010-11 teacher of the year award. He was selected from among 132 applicants for the final round. 2000 Devon Bonds Gess [B, music education] is a cho- ral director in Bay Village (Ohio) City Schools. She has been teaching at Bay High School for more than seven years, with more than nine years of total teaching experience. Deanna Faith Marshall [music education: B, 2000; M, 2004] was named Auburn (Ala.) City School’s 2009-10 secondary teacher of the year, as well as 2009-10 teacher of the year at Drake Middle School, where she is the school’s band director. Rebekah Maples Palys [B, elementary education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certified Teachers in 2009. She teaches reading and language arts in Arab (Ala.) City Schools. Kimberly Rheinbolt Shabo [B, early child- hood education] is a special education teacher in Montgomery (Ala.) Public Schools. Michelle Brown Ste- phens [M, community agency counseling] is a learning support coordina- tor with Rockdale County Public Schools in Conyers, Ga. Kristen Thompson [B, elementary education] is the owner and director the Kennesaw (Ga.) Learn- ingRx Cognitive Skills Training Center, which provides one-on-one cogni- tive training for children and adults. Gretchen Ojard Viking- son [M, general science education] is a teacher in Atlanta (Ga.) Public Schools. 2001 Deborah Troha Reetz [elementary education: B, 2001; M, 2004; EdS, 2005] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certi- fied Teachers in 2009. She is a reading coach at Auburn (Ala.) City Schools’ Rich- land Elementary School. Anita Bryan Salinas [M, biology education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certified Teachers in 2009. She teaches science in the Mobile County (Ala.) school system. Leslie Respress Sellers [business education: B, 2001; M, 2004] is a busi- ness/marketing teacher with Vestavia Hills (Ala.) High School. She is among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certified Teachers in 2009. 2002 Katrice Albert [D, coun- seling psychology] com- pleted a three-year term on the Auburn Univer- sity College of Education’s National Advisory Council in March 2010. She is vice provost for equity, diversity and community outreach at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Albert and her staff were recently awarded the 2009 Racial Justice Award by the YWCA of Greater Baton Rouge. The award is presented for exceptional contributions toward the elimination of racism. April Brock [general social science education: B, 2002; M, 2008] was named 2009-10 teacher of the year at Opelika (Ala.) Middle School. Heather Ann Clark [B, rehabilitation and special education] joined the Mor- ris Avenue Intermediate School faculty in Opelika, Ala., in August 2009. Mark Russell Gullion [B, early childhood education] was named principal of Cedar Grove Elementary School (Smyrna, Tenn.) in August 2009. Brent Leitsch [B, gen- eral science education] is a physics teacher at Mill Creek High School in Hoschton, Ga., part of Gwinnett County (Ga.) Public Schools. Mitzi Wise [early child- hood education: B, 2002; M, 2003] was named 2009- 10 teacher of the year by Lee County (Ala.) Schools’ Beauregard Elementary School, where she teaches fourth grade. 2003 Sarah Bethany Bice [elementary education: B, Legend B: bachelor’s (B.S./BMED) M: master’s (M.S./M.Ed.) D: doctorate (Ph.D./Ed.D.) w w w. a u a l u m . o r g / j o i n War Eagle! Your alumni association is a group of more than 45,000 Auburn alum- ni, friends and family who support Auburn University. This active associa- tion offers something for everyone! Last year we entertained 600,000 visitors to our Web site and reached 15,000 people through our Auburn Club Program. We distributed more than 230 scholarships to students and faculty, and served more than 9,000 hot dogs at our Alumni Hospitality Tent before home football games. Nearly 200 alumni and friends chose to vacation with us last year, and we sold nearly 1000 authentic Toomer’s Corner bricks for scholarships. We invite you to join one of the strongest alumni associations in the nation.
  • 72. Keystone Volume VII, 201070 2004; M, 2006] is a kinder- garten teacher with Cobb County (Ga.) Schools. Cynthia Collier Crad- dock [B, physical educa- tion; M, school counseling, 2003] joined the faculty of Auburn (Ala.) High School in August 2009. Michelle King Doniphan [M, elementary education] is in her third year teach- ing in Cobb County (Ga.) Schools and is currently teaching third grade at Sope Creek Elementary in Marietta. James Edwards [B, elementary education] is a teacher and coach with Dekalb County (Ala.) Schools. Julie Whittaker Hen- thorne [collaborative teacher special education: B, 2003; M, 2004] joined the faculty of Drake Middle School in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. 2004 Lyndsey Estes [B, exercise science] has been a pediat- ric occupational therapist with Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton, Ga., for three years. With the center’s speech therapist, she started an outpatient pediatric program two years ago, and together they now manage a case load of 20-30 children with various diagnoses, includ- ing autism, developmental delays, cerebral palsy and fine motor delays. Valerie Lunceford Gilmore [B, early child- hood education; M, reading education, 2008] was named 2009-10 teacher of the year at Auburn (Ala.) City Schools’ Auburn Early Education Center, where she teaches kindergarten. Heather Helms Lynn [B, exercise science] is a medical records clerk with Auburn University’s Large Animal Clinic. Kristin Acuff May [B, early childhood educa- tion] joined the faculty of Auburn Early Education Center in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. Amberlyn Frances Scott [B, early childhood education] was among the nearly 8,900 new National Board Certified Teachers in 2009. She teaches in the St. Clair County (Ala.) school system. 2005 Nichole Baugh [D, reading education] is a teacher at Double Churches Elementary School in Columbus, Ga. FSirena Camagna Brock [B, elementary education] is teaching first grade at Cedarcrest-Southmoor El- ementary School in Baton Rouge, La. H. Gray Broughton [M, rehabilitation services], of Richmond, Va., was appointed to a three-year term on the Auburn Uni- versity College of Educa- tion’s National Advisory Council, beginning August 2010. He is CEO and vocational rehabilitation counselor of Broughton Associates Inc. Susan Franklin [M, col- laborative teacher special education] joined the fac- ulty of Auburn Early Edu- cation Center in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. Stephanie Bearden Lee [B, English language arts education] teaches seventh- grade English in the Lee County (Ala.) Schools system. Elisha Henry Martin [B, elementary education] teaches second grade in Ro- anoke (Ala.) City Schools’ Knight Elementary School. She is also pursuing a master’s in instructional leadership in Auburn’s Col- lege of Education. FAmber Wright [B, ele- mentary education] teaches fourth grade at Daniel Pratt Elementary School in Prat- tville, Ala. 2006 Kelli Tuck Barnes [M, collaborative teacher spe- cial education] is teaching first grade special education at Smiths Station (Ala.) Primary School. FCasey Breslin [exercise science: M, 2006; D, 2009] was appointed as a lecturer in Towson (Md.) Univer- sity’s Department of Kinesi- ology, after completing her doctorate in kinesiology in Auburn’s College of Educa- tion in December 2009. Karibi Dede [B, collabora- tive teacher special educa- tion] joined the faculty of Auburn (Ala.) High School in August 2009. FElizabeth Hobbs Hath- cock [B, health promo- tion] is a fitness specialist at Healthplus Fitness in Auburn, Ala. Jennifer Lilly [B, early childhood education], was named 2009-10 teacher of the year at Carver Primary School in Opelika, Ala. Alesia Bradley Schulz [B, English language arts education] works for the Tennessee Titans, where she is an executive assistant to the executive vice presi- dent and general manager. Barry Brandon Smith [B, physical education] is teaching physical education at Montevallo Elemen- tary School in the Shelby County (Ala.) Schools system. Alumni Spotlight Mr. Newton ’08 goes to Washington From witnessing policy decisions as a student assistant in Auburn’s Samford Hall to affecting policy as a legislative aide in the U.S. Capitol, Andy Newton ’08 deals with banking, finance and tax issues before many of us finish our morning Cheerios. A 2008 higher education administration master’s graduate, his first Auburn degree was a bachelor’s in ac- counting, which he earned in May 2007 — along with amassing a distinguished list of campus activities that included elected posi- tions in the Student Government Association and Omicron Delta Kappa, and a Plainsman orange blazer in his closet. A legislative aide in Sen. Jeff Sessions’ (R-Ala.) office since May 2008, Newton has focused his research and advice on policy matters and constituent concerns in several public finance and regulatory areas. His work finds him meeting with groups from Alabama and authoring briefings and other documents that may ultimately lead Sessions to supporting or co-sponsoring legislation. This marks his first legislative staff stint, but in the summer of 2005, Newton in- terned for Sessions, as well as Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-4th). “I often look back on my [Education coursework] and recognize how the theories and concepts we studied play out on the national policy stage,” he said. That perspective will aid Newton as he further ponders his career choices, which he considers to be among three paths: further legislative work, banking and finance, or higher education finance. Alumni Notes
  • 73. A Keystone in Building a Better Future for All 71 Jenea Rachelle Whita- ker [M, rehabilitation counseling] is a certified rehabilitation counselor with the Georgia Depart- ment of Labor’s office in Columbus, Ga. 2007 FKira Ledbetter Aaron [B, English language arts education] is an English teacher with Elba (Ala.) City Schools. Emily Coker [early child- hood special education: B, 2007; M, 2008] is a pre-school special educa- tion teacher at Lake Forest Elementary School in Atlanta, Ga. Amy Wilson Crump [B, early childhood education] is now teaching kinder- garten teacher at in Shelby County (Ala.) Schools and pursuing a master’s degree in English language learn- ers from the University of Alabama Birmingham. Amber Hubbard DeBlanc [M, collaborative teacher special education] joined the faculty of Richland Ele- mentary School in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. Jonah Edmondson [B, general social science edu- cation] joined the faculty of Auburn (Ala.) High School in August 2009. Andrea Elliott [general social science education: B, 2007; M, 2009] joined the faculty of Auburn (Ala.) High School in August 2009. Crystal Rodgers Joiner [B, exercise science] is an athletic trainer with Rehab Associates in Montgomery, Ala. Ramin Mazaheri [adult education: B, 2007; M 2009] is an assistant Women’s Basketball coach at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa. FLandon McKean [B, elementary education; M, administration of higher education] joined the faculty of Homewood (Ala.) City Schools as a sixth-grade mathematics and science teacher, as well as sponsor of the Builders Club and co-sponsor of First Priority. Paul St. Onge [D, exercise science], of Enterprise, Ala., was appointed to a three-year term on the Auburn University College of Education’s National Advisory Council, begin- ning August 2010. He is a researcher with the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory at Ft. Rucker, and a fellow with the Warfighter Protec- tion Division of Oakridge Institute for Science and Education. Danielle Tharp Schrim- her [B, mathematics educa- tion] joined the faculty of Auburn (Ala.) Junior High School in August 2009. Phil Wilson [M, music education] was named Auburn (Ala.) City Schools’ 2009-10 elementary teacher of the year, as well as 2009-10 teacher of the year at Ogletree Elementary School, where he teaches music. In March 2010, he was among the “Sweet 16” finalists for Alabama’s teacher of the year honor. He was selected from among 132 applicants for the final round. 2008 FCharles “Oliver” Aaron [M, administra- tion of higher education] is director of orientation and admissions at Troy (Ala.) University. Sandra S. Beisel [M, collaborative teacher special education] joined the faculty of Cary Woods Elementary School in Au- burn, Ala., in August 2009. Rebecca Claire Dunn [early childhood special education: B, 2008; M, 2009] is an early childhood special education teacher at Gresham Elementary School in Birmingham, Ala. Ashley Jacobs Rosen- blum [B, early childhood education] teaches first grade at Riverton Elemen- tary School in Huntsville, Ala. Kathryn Gilbert Man- gum [early childhood education: B, 2008, M, 2009] joined the faculty of Auburn Early Education Center in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. Prasanthi Pallapu [D, adult education] is an instructional designer at South Dakota State Univer- sity in Brookings, S.D. Kevin Penn [B, physical education] is a combat systems officer with the U.S. Air Force in Universal City, Texas. Ashley Rowell Ramsey [B, early childhood educa- tion] joined the faculty of West Forest Intermediate Schools in Opelika, Ala., in August 2009. Jill Spraggins [elemen- tary education: B, 2008; M, 2009] joined the faculty of Yarbrough Elementary School in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. Kerron Tamara Stewart [B, adult education], a Jamaican sprinter who specializes in the 100m and 200m, won a gold medal at the 2009 IAAF Golden Gala in the Women’s 100m. At the 2009 World Champion- ships, Stewart won a silver medal in the 100m just two hundredths of a second behind Fraser by equaling her personal best of 10.75 seconds. At the same championship, she was anchor for the Jamaican quartet that took gold in the 4x100m Relay. Donald Austin Tidwell [B, general social science education] joined the faculty of Drake Middle School in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. 2009 Amy Berger [B, elementary education] teaches fourth grade in the Katy (Texas) Independent School Dis- trict. FLaura Boyd [B, elemen- tary education] is living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Africa, and teaches 32 fourth-graders at Bingham Academy, an international school. Read her blog at www.mustardseeddiaries. wordpress.com. Erica Broome [B, early childhood education] is now teaching in her native Alaska. She teaches a class of kindergartners through third-graders in a small Alaskan native village. Jessica Carter [B, early childhood special educa- tion] is an assistant teacher at Mitchell’s Place in Birmingham, Ala. Ashley Chambers [B, ex- ercise science] is attending physical therapy school at the University of Tennes- see-Chattanooga. Kelli Crumpton [B, busi- ness and marketing educa- tion] is pursuing a master’s in business and marketing education in Auburn’s Col- lege of Education. Lauren Culp [B, music education] is an assistant language teacher with the Ishikawa Board of Education in the Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. Alicia Daugherty [B, early childhood special education] joined the faculty of Richland Elemen- tary School and Yarbrough Elementary School in Au- burn, Ala., in August 2009. Caleb Doster [B, instru- mental music education] is an assistant band director at Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City, Ala. FJoanna Everett [B, English language arts education] began teaching at Auburn (Ala.) High School in August 2009. She teaches 10th and 12th grade core English language arts classes. Legend B: bachelor’s (B.S./BMED) M: master’s (M.S./M.Ed.) D: doctorate (Ph.D./Ed.D.) Since the College created the Student Ambassador program in 2003, nearly 150 students have served the college as ambassadors. The program now allows undergraduate and graduate students to interact with faculty, current and prospective students, alumni and donors. Learn where many of them are now by keeping an eye out for the F, starting with our 2005 alumni notes! Alumni Notes
  • 74. Keystone Volume VII, 201072 Jessica T. Haley [B, el- ementary education] joined the faculty of Richland Elementary School in Au- burn, Ala., in August 2009. FBailey Harvard [B, early childhood education] is teaching third grade at Pace Academy in Atlanta Angela Petrey Holcomb [M, rehabilitation services] is a vocational rehabilita- tion counselor with the Kentucky State Office of Vocational Rehabilitation in Louisville. Christopher M. Ferrell [M, instrumental music] is director of bands at Hillgrove High School (Cobb County Schools) in Powder Springs, Ga. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in music educa- tion in Auburn’s College of Education. Elizabeth Hartwick [M, administration of higher education] is an academic program administrator in Auburn’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. Michael Keith Herston [M, exercise science] was hired in August 2009 as the track and field as- sistant coach over men and women’s jumps and combined events at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Lauren Long [B, elemen- tary education] joined the faculty of Southview Primary School in Opelika, Ala., in August 2009. Wendy James Lucas [B, exercise science] is pursu- ing a master’s in exercise science in Auburn’s College of Education. Carrie McCambridge [M, exercise science] is an assistant swimming coach with Auburn’s swimming and diving program after two seasons as a graduate assistant strength and con- ditioning coach. She was recently honored by the Collegiate Strength & Con- ditioning Coaches Associa- tion (CSCCa) with the 2009 John Stucky Award, which recognizes characteristics and skills demonstrated throughout one’s work in the strength and condition- ing profession. Christina Castelin McKay [EdS, school psychology] is a school psychologist with Troop County (Ga.) Schools. Laura Cameron Mott [B, elementary education] is pursuing a master’s in elementary education in Auburn’s College of Educa- tion. Andrew Morgan [B, general social science edu- cation] joined the faculty of Auburn (Ala.) Junior High School in August 2009. FAshley Morgan [B, el- ementary education] joined the faculty of Cary Woods Elementary School in Au- burn, Ala., as a first-grade teacher in August 2009. LaDextric Oliver [B, physical education] joined the faculty of Drake Middle School in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. Whitney Reed [M, English language arts educa- tion] joined the faculty of Auburn (Ala.) Junior High School in August 2009. FJustin Shroyer [D, kinesiology] is an assistant professor of kinesiology at the University of Louisi- ana at Lafayette. While a doctoral student at Auburn, Shroyer’s research on the effects of flip-flops on gait and stride received world- wide attention. Nicholas Smith [B, instru- mental music education] joined the faculty of Tusca- loosa County (Ala.) Schools as a music teacher. Ally Jordan Taylor [B, collaborative teacher spe- cial education] joined the faculty of Richland Elemen- tary School in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. LaTonya Terry [M, collab- orative teacher special edu- cation] joined the faculty of Richland Elementary School in Auburn, Ala., in August 2009. Justin Yeager [M, math- ematics education] joined the faculty of Auburn (Ala.) High School in August 2009. Two College of Education gradu- ates are doing their part to reduce the frequency and severity of Army helicopter crashes. Drs. Loraine Parish St. Onge ’98 and Paul St. Onge ’07 are serious about the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory’s stated mission of enhancing the health, safety, combat ef- fectiveness and survivability of Army aviators and soldiers. Both earned doctorates in exercise science from Auburn. Lori also earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from the college in 1998. Paul conducts injury biomechanics research while Lori serves as a research administration manager. Both have been instrumental in the USAARL forming a research partnership with the Department of Kinesiol- ogy to study head and spinal injuries among aviators. At the USAARL, researchers study the effect of sleep deprivation on pilots and, thanks to a sophisticated NUH-60 Black Hawk helicopter simulator, can study the effects of the dusty, 100-plus-degree environment an aviator might encounter in Iraq. In Paul’s lab, the research primarily focuses on whether equipment ad- equately protects aviators in the event of a crash or hard landing. “We want to give them the right equipment,’’ Paul said. He described a condition known as “helicopter hunch,’’ created by the posture of piloting the aircraft while holding a joystick and using foot pedals — all while wearing a five-pound helmet and more than 20 pounds of safety equipment. Paul said many injuries result from pilots trying to mitigate discomfort by improperly modifying seat cushions. Alumni Spotlight St. Onges working to keep Army aviators safe Let us know what’s happening in your life! Submit your news, as well as updates to your contact information by clicking the online update button on the home page of education.auburn.edu.
  • 75. Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institution/employer. ©2010, Auburn University College of Education Volume VII, 2010 The Keystone is an annual publication of the Auburn University College of Education, produced and distributed to alumni and friends of the college through the generous contributions of private donors. in the moment Keystone editor Troy Johnson Layout, Design and Photography Amanda J. Earnest Thanks to the Auburn Office of Communications and Marketing for contributing content. Additional photography by Auburn Photographic Services, Auburn Libraries: Special Collections and Archives and Village Photographers. Send address changes to eduinfo@auburn.edu, or by mail to the attention of Michael Tullier, APR. Auburn University College of Education Office of External Relations 3084 Haley Center Auburn, Alabama 36849-5218 334.844.4446 education.auburn.edu eduinfo@auburn.edu Dean Dr. Frances K. Kochan Director of External Relations Michael Tullier, APR in the momenta photographic review of 2009 Now you have SIXreasons to get an Auburn University tag: Buy your tag at the county tag office—make a difference and share the spirit in welcoming new students to the Auburn family by supporting scholarships. www.auburn.edu/cartags 1 Six characters are now available for optimum personalization (personalize your tag at no additional cost). 2 New, cool design featuring lots of orange and blue. 3 Your purchase supports scholarships. 4 You show your Auburn pride and spirit to the world, or at least to other drivers in Alabama (or wherever the road may take you). 5 You’ll be a cool cat, just like Aubie. 6 Why not? LTL_KeystoneMag Ad_0210.indd 1 2/15/10 3:54:15 PM
  • 76. College of Education Office of the Dean 3084 Haley Center 735 Extension Loop Road Auburn, Alabama 36849-5218 Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 530 Montgomery, AL ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Reconnect with fellow College of Education graduates through these social and career networking Web sites: AuburnUniversityCollegeofEducation2010Keystone,volumeVii Blueprint for success Kochan helps college build bright future Blueprint for success Kochan helps college build bright future Collaboration | National award-winning partnership, pg 3 Military | College contributes to soldiers’ health, pg 26 Precious cargo | Johns ’57 values education, pg 46 Blueprint for success Kochan helps college build bright future | Page 8 Volume VIi, 2010 The Auburn University College of Education Magazine Find a link to all our social networking groups at education.auburn.edu/alumni/groups