2017 Alumni Awardees
HHS Distinguished Alumni Award
The 2017 HHS Distinguished Alumni Award recipient is Dr. Jerry Tolley. Dr. Tolley received a Doctor of Education in Physical Education in 1982, under the guidance of the late Dr. Gail Hennis.
By then, he had already established a successful career as the football coach at Elon University where he enjoyed an unparalleled record, with his teams winning four conference titles and back-to-back national titles. He has been inducted into several Halls of Fame including the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, the National Football Hall of Fame, and Elon and East Carolina Universities Halls of Fame.
Dr. Tolley has also enjoyed a successful career at Elon in Development. He spent 12 years with LabCorp first as Associate Vice-President of Training, and later Associate Vice President of Community and Public Affairs. The programs he developed there helped establish LabCorp as one of the premier companies in North Carolina in the area of community responsibility.
He is an accomplished sports author, having published six football books which have been sold throughout the US and in more than 25 countries.
Dr. Tolley is currently serving his fifth, four-year term as the Mayor of Elon, making him the longest serving mayor in the history of the town.
He has received the highest honors that are given to North Carolinians having received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from Governor Hunt in 1997 and the Old North State Award in 2007 from Governor Easley, in recognition of this community and civic service and exceptional dedication to the State of North Carolina.
Lifetime Legacy Award
The 2017 HHS Lifetime Legacy Award recipient is Dr. Kate Barrett.
Dr. Barrett is not a traditional graduate of the School or of UNCG. Rather, she was made an honorary alumna of the School of Health and Human Performance in 1998 in appreciation of her many years of service.
She was a faculty member from 1970 to 1997 in what is now the Department of Kinesiology, a teacher-scholar who focused her life’s work on teacher education in children’s physical education. Her teaching impacted how many generations of UNCG students think about and teach children’s physical education. Those who studied under her felt privileged to work with her and say that she was instrumental in their career choices and successes.
Her contributions to UNCG did not end with her retirement in 1997; she served two terms as a UNCG Trustee from 2005-2013 serving on the Academic Affairs and University Advancement Committees. She currently serves as a docent for Weatherspoon Art Gallery.
Dr. Barrett is even more renowned for her countless hours of behind the scenes volunteer work on behalf of the School and UNCG including allocating scholarships, and mentoring faculty and students. Most recently, she worked tirelessly to rename the then HHP Building after the Department of Kinesiology’s first head, Mary Channing Coleman.
Dr. Barrett has consistently and tirelessly given of her treasure to the field of Kinesiology, to our School and to UNCG.
Public Service Award
The 2017 HHS Public Service Award recipient is Ms. Jane Carlson. Ms. Jane Carlson is the founder and executive director of Food Assistance Inc., a nonprofit organization that serves low-income, non-mobile seniors in Guilford County, providing them with Groceries on Wheels.
The program is organized so as that food assistance is delivered to seniors and grandparents raising grandchildren during the third week of the month when most resources begin to run dry. Food insecurity among this group is very high with over half reporting skipping meals or eating less because they lack resources to buy sufficient food.
Food Assistance Inc., serves over 450 seniors with the help of more than 150 volunteers, who not only pack and deliver groceries but who also spend time with the participants, often becoming friends.
Ms. Carlson’s contributions to the Department of Nutrition and its students have been immeasurable. She supervises about 30 of our nutrition students each year, inspiring them to become engaged with their community and training them and providing guidance as they serve this very needy population.
She guest-lectures in Dr. Haldeman’s Community Nutrition class every spring. Further, she provides an excellent opportunity for nutrition students preparing for a career as Registered Dietitians. These students witness firsthand the many needs of older adults and gain valuable experiences interacting with a population that has a high rate of diet related chronic diseases.
Emerging Leader Award
The HHS Emerging Leader for 2017 is Dr. DeAnne Brooks.
Dr. Brooks received a Doctorate in Education from the UNCG Department of Kinesiology in 2010. She is currently an assistant professor of Exercise Science at Salem College.
She combines her vast knowledge of the field and broad set of skills to provide students with a rich academic experience. Her high-quality teaching along with her sense of caring and compassion for students has been recognized at Salem College every year with a teaching award since 2013.
Dr. Brooks’ research focuses on the transition of collegiate athletes after their competitive careers to lead healthy lifestyles; she has published and presented extensively on this subject. The importance of her research was recognized when she was awarded the NCAA Innovations in Research and Practice Grant to create training modules that will be used by collegiate athletic departments nationwide to promote student-athlete wellness.
Of all her accomplishments, Dr. Brooks’ service to the youth in the community is what brings her most satisfaction. The track club that she leads has sent three to five student-athletes per year to college on partial or full track and field scholarships, a significant accomplishment given that several come from economically disadvantaged families.
HHS Pacesetter Awards
This award honors outstanding alumni in the School who have attained local, state or regional recognition through their achievements in scholarship, leadership or service, during their career or through civic involvement. Each Department and Program selected a Pacesetter awardee to honor.
Mr. William Nathan Waller for the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Mr. Waller received an MA in Speech-Language Pathology from UNCG in 2007. He also holds a Master of Voice degree in Vocal Performance from Appalachian State University.
His first job after graduation was at the nationally renowned Bastian Voice Institute in Chicago where he specialized in evaluation and treatment of voice speech and swallowing disorders and provided post-operative care for vocal performers.
In 2014, because of his expertise in voice, Northwestern University hired Mr. Waller to be their voice expert and to coordinate externship placements for their graduate students. At Northwestern, he distinguished himself as an expert in the emerging field of transgender pediatric voice and established a treatment program for this population.
Mr. Waller speaks frequently at local, state, and national conventions on topics that include vocal injuries, post-operative care for vocal fold lesions, breathing and coughing disorders, as well as on transgender pediatric voice. He is a wonderful mentor to the next generation of Speech Language Pathologists, frequently serving as an independent study advisor and clinical fellow supervisor.
Ms. Jennifer Lloyd Ball for the Department of Community and Therapeutic Recreation. Ms. Ball received a Bachelor of Science degree in Community and Therapeutic Recreation in 2002 with a specialization in travel, tourism, and commercial recreation.
A course on Meeting and Event Planning and Management launched her into an exciting career as an event planner. Now in her sixteenth year in that profession, she is the owner/operator of Knot your Average Events with a staff of eight which includes two event coordinators, and six assistants.
She generously accepts interns from our Community and Therapeutic Recreation program and also provides shadowing experiences for them. Ms. Ball is a state coordinator for the North Carolina Chapter of the Association of Bridal Consultants and an executive board member for the Triad Bridal Association.
She shares her passion for event planning by being an adjunct professor at both Alamance Community College and our School of Health and Human Sciences. She is an accomplished mixologist through the Professional Bartending Institute and still holds a record for 24 mixed drinks in 8 minutes. Ms. Ball is truly a “Jill of all Trades” when it comes to life and career.
Ms. Kelly East for the Genetic Counseling Program. Ms. East received her Master of Science in Genetic Counseling from UNCG in 2010. She is the Clinical Applications Lead at HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology, a not-for-profit organization conducting genomics-based research to improve human health, implementing genomic medicine and providing educational outreach.
Since her student days at UNCG, Ms. East has been passionate about educating general practitioners and families impacted by genetic anomalies. A true Pacesetter, she recognized that there was a need for this outreach in the Genetic Counseling professional community, and very early in her career, she stimulated interest and created the Education Special Interest Group in the National Society of Genetic Counselors.
Ms. East provides clinical content expertise at HudsonAlpha for the creation and implementation of educational programs and materials for healthcare providers, students and the lay public. She serves as adjunct professor at the University of Alabama Nursing School in Huntsville. She also oversees and participates in the provision of genomic counseling for patients seen at the Smith Family Clinic.
Dr. Teresa Cox for the Gerontology Program. Fittingly for a Gerontology pacesetter, Dr. Cox started her academic career later in life than is traditional. She received a Master of Science in Gerontology in 2004. She is also a 2014 recipient of a Doctor of Education in Kinesiology.
While still a student, she served as Wellness Director at Friends Homes Inc. She also served as the physical education instructor for Randolph Community College for 16 years and had the responsibility of teaching PE courses to all 9th graders in Randolph Early College High School. Now, she works full time for Friends Homes, where she is Wellness Director for both residents and staff.
With her background in both Gerontology and Kinesiology, Dr. Cox developed a fall-proofing and balance program that helps residents at Friends with steadiness and with how to rise from the floor if they have fallen.
The program also helps them with the fear of falling, which restricts the older adult population from participating in activities. Throughout her career at Friends Homes, Dr. Cox has generously supervised more than 40 interns, not only from UNCG, but from many local colleges and universities.
Dr. Shuntay McCoy for the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. Dr. McCoy received a PhD in Human Development and Family Studies at UNCG in 2013 and is currently an Assistant Professor on the tenure-track in the Department of Counseling and Human Services at Old Dominion University.
She began her professional career as a school social worker providing academic guidance and support for students of color to enhance school performance. Through that role, she became an advocate for families who felt estranged from the school environment and she carried those passions throughout her doctoral preparation and now in her academic career.
In addition to her work as a faculty member, Dr. McCoy developed and conducts many training sessions focused on cultural competent practices and pedagogy, targeting community leaders and groups, practitioners, schools and other organizations throughout the southeast region.
She demonstrates what is at the heart of the Pacesetter award: a commitment to serve and an emphasis on community and civic engagement.
Rev. Cathy Tamsberg for the Department of Kinesiology. Rev. Tamsberg received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education at UNCG in 1975. She went on receive a Master’s degree in Physical Education at the University of Wisconsin in 1978 where she also served as the Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach.
While on service trips to Appalachia in the early 1980s, Rev. Tamsberg was spurred to refocus her career and to serve those who are less fortunate. She returned to school to earn a Jurist Doctorate in 1986 from Chapel Hill and became a formidable advocate for the homeless and other low income populations.
She was a founding member of the Raleigh/Wake Coalition for the Homeless and of Harriett’s House, a transitional housing program for female ex-offenders and their children.
Rev. Tamsberg returned to school again and earned a Master’s of Divinity in 2000 from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C. She now serves as Associate Pastor at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh where she has responsibility for adult education, mission groups, international partnerships, the senior adult ministry, pastoral care and preaching.
She is the staff liaison to many Pullen initiatives in the community including the Hope Center at Pullen which serves young adults aging out of the foster care system.
Ms. Jane Stout for the Department of Nutrition –
Ms. Stout earned a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics Education from UNCG in 1973 and a Master’s degree in Food, Nutrition and Institution Management in 1982.
She taught Home Economics in High Point city schools for a handful of years before finding her dual passion in her current role of providing dining services for the geriatric population. She has been Director of Dining Services at Friends Homes Guilford in Greensboro for 38 years where she contributes daily to residents’ quality of life.
Her other passion is mentoring. She serves as site director for the UNCG dietetic internship program, volunteering more than 750 work hours annually toward mentoring dietetic interns. She also coordinates the undergraduate dietetics volunteer program.
As a site director, her contributions to the knowledge-base of nutrition students through teaching and training is invaluable.
There have been countless times when she accepted our students into her operation on very short notice. Ms. Stout is truly a “Pacesetter;” she contributes daily to residents’ quality of life at Friends Homes. She demonstrates a commitment to her profession as a foodservice specialist, leader and servant.
Dr. Elizabeth Lackey for the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies. Dr. Lackey earned a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies at UNCG in 2008. She later earned a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Nova Southeastern University.
She has always been committed to justice and peacebuilding in every aspect of her life. It has been said of her that she demonstrates the power in grassroots peacebuilding. Dr. Lackey has been Graduate Student Services Specialist at UNC Charlotte since 2015 where she positively impacts students as she manages their petitions and requests.
She also serves her home department as an adjunct faculty member in the undergraduate program by teaching Conflict and Culture.
Dr. Lackey has been described as the quintessential life-long learner, as truth seeking and open to change. Not content with doing the minimum, she volunteers with the American Red Cross, Special Olympics, and Presbyterian Hospital. She is actively involved with Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina and with the YMCA.
Ms. Betria Stinson for the Department of Public Health Education. Ms. Stinson earned a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education in 2004 and a Master’s in Public Health in 2006 here at UNCG.
As an undergraduate, Ms. Stinson participated in research opportunities and went on to publish her research findings, a very rare accomplishment for an undergraduate in a practice-oriented degree. This positioned her very well for her future career in academia.
She has spent the past seven years dedicating her professional life to preventing alcohol and substance abuse among college students, first at the University of Georgia and now at UNC Charlotte where she is the Substance Abuse Program Coordinator in the Center for Wellness Promotion.
She is the co-investigator on an NIH funded grant designed to reduce high-risk drinking among college students. Her work has a major impact on collegiate health and wellness; she has helped numerous students through state-of-the-art programming as well as through developing and evaluating programs that can be replicated across the country.
She is truly setting the pace for all public health educators who come after her.
Ms. Monica Williams Harrison the Department of Social Work. Ms. Harrison is an alumna of the Joint Masters in Social Work Class of 2005.
She has been a trailblazer in social work through her work in integrated health care where clients’ medical issues are seen in context with their behavioral health symptoms. She has worked in intensive community services including six years as a Behavioral Health Clinician at Triad Adult and Pediatric Medicine in Guilford County.
She recently accepted a position with the Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation working with their Center for Excellence in Integrated Health Care. In this role, she provides tools, techniques, training and technical assistance to organizations and healthcare professionals that help them to implement best practices for integrated care.
Ms. Harrison supported the department for years as a field instructor to Undergraduate and Master’s Students and is a shining example for our current students. Our Social Work programs owe so much to her generous collaboration.