College Awards Honorees Announced

A number of outstanding faculty, staff and alumni – including Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak – will be honored at the College of Education and Human Development awards celebration. The celebration will be held at the Hilton College Station and Conference Center on Friday, October 28, 2016.

The Outstanding Alumni Award is the highest honor the college can bestow upon its former students. The award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their chosen fields. This year’s honorees include Gary Kubiak ’83, head coach of the Denver Broncos; Tiffany Barfield ’99, director of strategic partnerships at the National Academy Foundation; Dr. Rita Barrera Hernandez ’86, area assistant superintendent of Brownsville ISD; and Kelly Ricks ’92, principal at Katy ISD. Dr. Terry Kidd ’11, dean in the Division of Extended Learning at Houston Community College, is the recipient of the Early Career Award.

David Tofel, assistant director of recruitment in the Office of Admissions and Records at Texas A&M University, will be honored with the John E. Trott, Jr. Award in Student Recruiting.

Jean and Skip Johnson ’52 serve as members of the Dean’s Development Council and will be honored with the Carolyn S. Lohman Advocacy Leadership Award. The award was established with the dual purpose of honoring Lohman, a longtime advocate for the college, and recognizing individuals who make a significant impact on the college through advocacy leadership.

The honorees of the Association of Former Students College-Level Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching are Dr. Radhika Viruru, clinical professor, and Dr. Hersh Waxman, professor, both in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture.

Several faculty and staff will also be honored with Climate Awards at the celebration. This award celebrates individuals who embody the College’s commitment to learn, educate, discover, serve and lead in a culture of diversity. Honorees include Dr. Krystal Cook Simmons, clinical associate professor in the Department of Educational Psychology; Phylicia French, academic advisor; Dr. Luis Ponjuan, associate professor in the Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development; and Cathy Watson, assistant to the department head in the Department of Educational Psychology.

Dr. Jennifer Ganz, professor of special education in the Department of Educational Psychology, will be honored with the Extraordinary Service Award from the Dean’s Development Council. Dr. Matthew Walker, associate professor of sport management in the Department of Health and Kinesiology will be honored with the Outstanding New Faculty Award. Dell Billings ’95, administrative coordinator in the Department of Health and Kinesiology, will receive the Outstanding Staff Award.