2015 Distinguished Education Alumni Awards (show/hide)

Dorothy Lawshe
Dorothy Lawshe spent nearly 50 years in education, half of that as a tireless advocate for gifted children. Her work helped thousands of high-ability youth in Indiana and Michigan, especially those from underserved populations. As a graduate student at Purdue, Dorothy helped develop student enrichment programs. Marcia Gentry, director of Purdue’s Gifted Education Resource Institute, said, “Her work at Purdue under John Feldhusen laid a foundation for her service to the field for years to come. She was the founding director of Michigan State University’s Office of Gifted and Talented Education (GATE). Dorothy’s efforts on behalf of gifted children are far-reaching. She has always advocated for developing talents among children from underserved populations.” An endowed fund at MSU named for Dorothy continues her mission to provide children from disadvantaged backgrounds with access to talent development programs.

Marsha Link
Marsha Link is an innovative, dynamic change agent who believes in the empowerment of lifelong learning. She is the founder and principal of Link Consulting Group, specializing in executive coaching, leadership development and organizational effectiveness. Her work has focused on the professional development and advancement of women in the healthcare industry, specifically in ophthalmology. Marsha is currently president of Ophthalmic Women Leaders (OWL), a non-profit group committed to the belief that diverse leadership results in better outcomes. She is the former chair of the board of trustees of Manchester University, where she is now an honorary trustee. Professor Emeritus Richard Nelson said, “Marsha shows exceptional capability in understanding and using best practices in counseling, as well as responding to the unique needs of her clients. She has adapted those practices in ways that suit her personality.”

Sidney Moon
Sidney Moon is professor I am emerita of gifted, creative and talented studies in Purdue University’s College of Education. During her 30-year career in the college, she served as associate dean for learning and engagement and as director of the Gifted Education Resource Institute (GERI). Sidney is a prolific scholar whose work continues to benefit gifted persons around the world today. In 2013, the National Association for Gifted Children recognized Sidney’s achievements and dedication with the Distinguished Service Award. Jan Hansen, president and CEO of Educate Tanzania, said, “Sidney is a one-of-a-kind thought leader in gifted education whose important work has helped ensure that gifted students are seen and that their needs are addressed in compelling and meaningful ways. Her deliberate and unceasing loyalty and commitment to the field is easy to spot and difficult to match.”

Daniel L. Stufflebeam
Daniel L. Stufflebeam is an icon whose work has played a major role in shaping educational evaluation. A thought leader in the assessment field, Dan retired from Western Michigan University as a distinguished university professor and McKee Professor of Education. He founded the Evaluation Center at The Ohio State University in 1965 and relocated it to WMU in 1973. His Context, Input, Process and Product (CIPP) Evaluation Model was one of the first models used for program evaluation and is still in use today. He directed the development of more than 100 standardized achievement tests, including the GED. Richard Frisbie, director of strategic assessment in the college, said, “Dan offered a framework and context for how to view a values-based world with a balance of objectivity and compassion. When the first question becomes, ‘What’s important?,’ the rest of any disciplined inquiry approach falls into place.”

2013 Distinguished Education Alumni Awards (show/hide)

Albert Kwing-Wong Siu (PhD’79 Counseling Psychology)
Albert Siu is Vice President and General Manager of the PAREXEL Academy, a unit of Human Resources that manages the Learning and Leadership Development function for PAREXEL—a global clinical research and regulatory consulting and outsourcing company. Previous positions include Vice President for Learning and Development at Boston Scientific, President of Gilead Learning, and Chief Learning Officer for AT&T where he executed a Memorandum of Understanding agreement between China’s State Planning Commission and AT&T to enable the process of transforming China’s state owned telecommunication enterprises into various market-based, customer-focused corporations. He also served 16 years with Hewlett-Packard, including eight years in China and Hong Kong. Siu has served on the board of directors at Thrivent Financial for 14 years, and currently serves on the Board of Directors at Wittenberg University.

Deborah S Teuscher (MS’94 – Science Education)
Deborah Teuscher’s education philosophy can be summed up in three words: “Making Science Matter.” She is an award-winning science educator who recently retired from the Metropolitan School District of Pike Township in Indianapolis after teaching earth space science, integrated chemistry and physics, physical science, biology and directing activities of the school district’s planetarium. In 1993, Teuscher received a Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Grant for a two-week geologic study tour of Iceland. The portfolio of teaching units developed from that experience led to a Golden Apple Award in 1995. In addition to teaching, she participated in a year-long “teacher in residence” experience as a Master Practitioner at Butler University. Teuscher has been awarded the 2007 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House.

Carol A. Loehr (BA’65 – Elementary and Special Education)
Carol Loehr helped establish the special education program in the Whiting Primary School in northwest Indiana and later worked as a classroom volunteer for special needs children. Her work as an educator found a new purpose following the suicide of her son, Keith, in 1999. Unable to find the information and support that she and her family needed, Loehr became an advocate for those who have experienced loss through suicide. Loehr built and maintains a website (www.TheGiftofKeith.org) to provide information about suicide prevention and awareness and hosts “Cyber Friends,” an e-mail support group for suicide survivors. She authored “My Uncle Keith Died”—a children’s book to help families explain mental illness and suicide to children. Because teachers and school counselors should be aware of the warning signs of depression and at-risk behaviors, Carol and her husband Dick Loehr created a scholarship in the College of Education—The Keith Loehr Memorial Scholarship that provides funding for graduate students in school counseling who have an interest in suicide prevention in primary and secondary schools.

Jan Hansen (PhD’88 –Educational Psychology)
Jan Hansen is President/CEO of Educate Tanzania, a Minnesota-based nonprofit, dedicated to building Karagwe University College in Tanzania. While a doctoral student at Purdue, she helped Prof. John Feldhusen expand the Gifted Education Resource Institute (GERI). As a research fellow and visiting professor, she helped Professor Miraca U.M. Gross at the University of New South Wales initiate and grow GERI’s sister center in Australia. After leaving Purdue, Hansen co-founded the Center for Pre-Collegiate Engineering Education at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. While serving as an advisor in Tanzania in 2008, she learned about plans for a university and wanted to help. In 2010, she resigned her tenured position from the University of St. Thomas to devote herself to building Karagwe University College in Tanzania. Since then Hansen has led efforts to bring education, water and health to the ‘neediest part of the world.’ Hansen has received numerous awards for her work and has published over 50 articles and 2 books. She serves on editorial and advisory boards and has led educational initiatives in the United States, Japan, Australia, Puerto Rico, and Africa.

2011 Distinguished Education Alumni Awards (show/hide)

David Fenell (Edu PhD ’79)
David Fenell is professor of counselor education at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, and was the interim dean of the College of Education. He teaches a range of courses including counseling theories and techniques, group counseling theory and techniques, and marriage and family therapy. His introductory textbook, Counseling Families: An Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy, has been adopted by academic institutions nationwide. He is a Colonel (retired) in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps Reserve, and was mobilized immediately after the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Fenell deployed to both Afghanistan and Iraq, where he delivered psychological support to military personnel. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for each combat tour. In addition to his Ph.D. in counselor education from Purdue University, Fenell also earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in physiology from Oklahoma State University.

Jane Foley (CLA BA ’73, CLA MS ’77, Edu PhD ’92)
Jane Foley oversees the nationwide selection of exemplary K-12 educators for the Milken Educator Awards as senior vice president at the Milken Family Foundation. She also serves on the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching Advisory Council, is a senior advisor for the Lowell Milken Center, and directs the Milken Scholars program, an initiative that helps outstanding young men and women achieve their academic and professional goals. She was a senior advisor to William Bennett, former U.S. Secretary of Education, for four years. Before joining the Milken Foundation, Foley worked for 24 years as a public school educator. Under her leadership as principal, Flint Lake Elementary School in Indiana attained state and national recognition in the areas of school restructuring, professional development, technology integration and student achievement. Her honors include the International Society of Educational Planning Outstanding Dissertation Award, and in 1994, she was honored as a Milken National Educator for the State of Indiana.

Penny Britton Kolloff (Edu PhD ’83)
Penny Britton Kolloff began her teaching career in a kindergarten classroom in Detroit. She taught elementary and middle school children in public, private and laboratory schools, and was a tenured faculty member at Eastern Kentucky University, Ball State University and Illinois State University, where she retired in 2006. As a doctoral student, Kolloff partnered with John Feldhusen to develop a program for gifted learners, and she was the first assistant director of the Gifted Education Resource Institute at Purdue. She later participated in the creation of the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities. Among her honors are the Early Leader and the Outstanding Research Paper awards from National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), a Mensa Education and Research Award for Excellence, and the Distinguished Service award from the Illinois Association for Gifted Children (IAGC). Kolloff serves on advisory boards at Purdue and Northwestern universities and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. She has held leadership positions for the NAGC and state associations in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois, and is a former president of IAGC. In addition to her Ph.D. from Purdue University, she earned her master’s from Eastern Kentucky University, and her bachelor’s degree from Kalamazoo College.

Jack Miller (Edu PhD ’74)
Jack Miller is the president of Central Connecticut State University. Prior to coming to Connecticut in 2005, he served as chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and also as dean of the College of Education at Florida State University. Miller’s national awards include the 2005 Excellence in Diversity award from the Brothers of the Academy for his commitment to access, retention and graduation of underrepresented students in higher education. In 2003, he was recognized as CEO of the year by the National Academic Advisory Association. His annual study of America’s Most Literate Cities has been published worldwide, reaching an audience of more than 100 million annually. His scholarship includes presenting 56 refereed papers, publishing 43 articles, and authoring 10 book chapters and four books. In addition to his doctorate degree in education from Purdue University, he also earned a master’s degree in education from Northern Illinois University, and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio University.

Kathryn Scantlebury (Edu PhD ’90)
Kathryn (Kate) Scantlebury is the director of secondary education for the College of Arts and Sciences and a professor of chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Delaware. She is responsible for coordinating all secondary education programs, and she oversees the program’s professional development, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education reporting, and externally funded grants. Scantlebury is a member of many professional organizations, including the National Science Teachers Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, for which she was named a fellow in 2009. She has presented numerous talks on topics of gender issues in science, mathematics, technology and assessment, and is a visiting research scholar at the Center for Gender Research at Uppsala University in Uppsala, Sweden. In 2008, she was named Outstanding Science Teacher Educator of the Year by the Association for Science Teacher Education. In addition to her Ph.D. in science education from Purdue University, she also earned a master’s in science education from Curtin University of Technology, and an honors degree in chemistry and a Diploma of Education from Flinders University of South Australia.

2009 Distinguished Education Alumni Awards (show/hide)

Jane Zimmer Daniels (MS ’73, PhD ’88)
Jane Zimmer Daniels works for the Henry Luce Foundation as the director for Clare Booth Luce and Higher Education Programs. Called the “mother of women in engineering programs,” she is a leader in assisting women entering careers in science and engineering. For 20 years Jane was the director of Purdue’s Women in Engineering Program (WiEP) and advisor for the Society of Women Engineers. She has been a visiting scientist at the National Science Foundation’s Program for Gender Equity in Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology and is one of the three founding members of the national organization Women in Engineering ProActive Network (WEPAN). Jane is a current member of Purdue’s Engineering Advisory Council. Beth Holloway, director of Purdue’s Women in Engineering Program, says “Purdue is a national leader in the graduation of women engineers because of the programs that Jane developed while she was on campus. Jane worked tirelessly to improve the climate for women at Purdue, both in the College of Engineering and at the University level, while at the same time, continuing the programs that provided support and encouragement to female engineering students.”

Edwyna Hord (MS ’74 – Calumet, EDS ’93)
Edwyna Hord is the principal of William Merritt Chase Alternative School in the Gary Indiana Community School Corporation. Strongly devoted to her students and community, she has worked in education for over 40 years. Prior to joining Chase Alternative, Edwyna was executive director of educational improvement for the Gary Community School Corporation, principal at Bailly Junior High School, assistant principal at West Side High School, principal at Emerson School for the Visual and Performing Arts, and acting principal at Theodore Roosevelt High School, all of the Gary Community School Corporation. In addition, Edwyna shares her educational expertise as an adjunct professor at Indiana Wesleyan University in their Masters of Education program. Edwyna is a former member of the College of Education’s Advisory Committee. “Edwyna’s commitment and dedication to making higher education available to non-traditional students from Northwest Indiana is inspirational,” says Phoebe Bailey, director of education programs for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. “She has an uncanny ability to connect with students and motivate them to learn. There are countless students in Northwest Indiana, Purdue and beyond who are better people thanks to Edwyna.”

Mike Koldyke (BS ’54)
Mike Koldyke formed Frontenac Co., a venture capital and investment company in Chicago, and retired as an active member of the firm in 1993. He is committed to improving public education and promoting excellence in teaching in Chicago and throughout Illinois. He is founder and chair emeritus of the Golden Apple Foundation which recognizes and provides continuing support to outstanding teachers in Illinois. Mike has chaired the Chicago School Finance Authority and was instrumental in starting the Leadership Academy and Urban Network for Chicago (LAUNCH) program to prepare new principals in Chicago. He is founder and chairman of the Academy for Urban School Leadership, a program developed to train exceptionally talented prospective teachers. He also helped launch Chicago’s first contract schools, including the renowned Dodge Academy. In 1997 Mike was recognized by Purdue as an Old Master. Dominic Belmonte, president and CEO of the Golden Apple Foundation, says Mike is “a tireless, consistent and passionate advocate for change in education” and that his efforts will have a permanent and positive effect on teaching and the regard for teachers in Chicago.

Teresa Roche (BA ’79, MS ’81, PhD ’00)
Teresa Roche is the vice president and chief learning officer at Agilent Technologies. She is the lead architect and portfolio manager of the company’s learning and leadership development solutions. Prior to joining Agilent, she was an executive for Hewlett-Packard and the Grass Valley Group and chaired the American Electronics Association’s National Human Resources Committee. In 2005 Purdue recognized Teresa as an Old Master. She has volunteered on the College of Education’s Gifted Education Resource Institute (GERI) advisory board and is currently a member of the college’s Dean’s Advisory Council. Teresa lives in Fort Collins, CO with her husband David and daughter Kate where they are involved in a number of community organizations. Betty Nelson, dean emeritus of students at Purdue, says “The fact that Teresa Roche serves as VP and chief learning officer at Agilent Technologies only vaguely hints at the intensity with which she lives and works every day, wherever in the world she may be. Her life is about connecting with others, capturing each moment, giving it purpose, seeing talents that can flourish with coaching.”

Mary Kay Sommers (PhD ’90)
Mary Kay Sommers is the principal at Shepardson Elementary in the Poudre School District in Fort Collins, Colorado. She served as the president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) during the 2007-2008 school year. While president of the NAESP, Mary Kay worked with educational and political leaders from around the world, including former First Lady Laura Bush. She visited schools throughout the country, and testified before Congress on acts regarding education. Before moving to Colorado, Mary Kay was an elementary school teacher and principal in Indiana, including West Lafayette. She is a member of the inaugural School Leadership Academy Board and is active in the Colorado Association of Elementary School Principals. Jane Van Scoyoc, retired director of children’s ministries at First United Methodist Church, West Lafayette, says, ?Mary Kay has devoted her professional life to educating and nurturing children, to training and supporting teachers, and to improving the educational system nationwide? and that her lifelong dedication and outstanding skills in teaching and administrating make her well deserving of this award.

2007 Distinguished Education Alumni Awards (show/hide)

Phillip Wankat of West Lafayette, Ind. — Award of Distinction
He received his master’s degree in education from Purdue in 1982. Wankat, Clifton L. Lovell Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Education and director of engineering education undergraduate degree programs, joined the Purdue faculty in 1970. He has supervised more than 40 master’s and doctoral students and is a key faculty member in the newly created department of engineering education at Purdue. Wankat is a member of the Indiana Project Lead the Way leadership team, which aims to create partnerships with schools to prepare students for success in science, engineering and engineering technology.

Barbara Downing of Wilmington, N.C. — Career Achievement Award
Downing received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education from Purdue in 1967. In 1981 she founded Tot Spot, LLC, where she serves as both director and teacher. Tot Spot, located in Wilmington, is a team of 21 caregivers, some of whom work full-time, part-time and on a substitute basis. Before founding Tot Spot, she served as a child-care advisory board member for Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, was founder and director of Christ United Methodist Preschool in Shreveport, La., and was classroom teacher at Miami Elementary School in Lafayette, Ind.

Carol Lambdin of Dayton, Ohio — Mentor Award
Lambdin received a bachelor’s degree in education from Purdue in 1967. She teaches first grade for Mad River Local Schools in Dayton. For the past 15 years, she has served as a mentor for the Mad River Local Schools’ Entry Year program, through which she has guided more than 40 teachers during their first year of teaching.

Dana Mackey of Chicago — Young Educator Award
Mackey received a master’s degree in education from Purdue in 1998. She works as a school counselor in Chicago Public Schools. Since joining the school system in 2000, she has developed a schoolwide, comprehensive guidance program, led faculty in-services and helped bring her school into compliance with national standards. Mackey also serves as a program director for Cabrini Connections in Chicago, bringing agencies, volunteers and fundraising events together in support of a tutoring and mentoring program for at-risk children.

Also honored at the ceremony was Maribeth Cassidy Schmitt, who received her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Purdue in 1972, 1983 and 1987, respectively. Schmitt was awarded the Jean Adamson Stanley Faculty Chair in Literacy, established by Susan and Ronald Dollens in honor of Susan’s mother, Jean Adamson. Schmitt is a clinical professor of literacy and language education, assistant head of curriculum and instruction, and director of the Purdue Literacy Network Project. She is one of only 55 international trainers of teacher leaders for the Reading Recovery program. In 2003 the Indiana General Assembly passed a resolution honoring Schmitt for her contributions to literacy learning and instructional leadership in Indiana. She is a former editor of an international journal on early literacy and the lead author of a recently published book titled, “Changing Futures: The Influence of Reading Recovery in the United States.”

2006 – 1991 Distinguished Education Alumni Awards (show/hide)

2006

Karen Symms Gallagher (PhD ’82)
Karen B. Gossard Bogan (BA ’66)
Sally Downham Miller (BA ’71, MA ’80, PhD ’82)
Laura Reasoner Jones (BA ’73)
Daniel G. McNulty (BA ’01)
Jane Butler Kahle (MA ’63, PhD ’71)

2005

Robert B. Kane
Tamara Morse
Erna Seecamp Yackel
Richard “Rusty” King
Susan Bunte
Heidi Fernandez
John Carnaghi
Robert Conyne
Miraca Gross

2004

Janine M. Bernard
William E. Christopher
M. Kay Clark
Edwin C. Leonard
Gregg O. Lehman
Lawrence G. Shoaf
Kenneth L. Gleason
Jodi L. Allen

2003

Muhyieddeen Sh. Touq (PhD’72)
Ellsworth P. Christmas (BS’58, MS’61, PhD’64)
Esther Lee (PhD’71)
Erick Pruitt (BA’98)
Joanne Troutner (BA’74, MS’76)
James Thomas (BS’48, MS’52, PhD’60)
Sue Spooner (BS’60, PhD’75)
Barbara Siegfried (BS’59, MA’63)

2002

Mrs. Sara McGrew MacGregor (BA’98)
Mr. Theodore Leuenberger (BS’72, MS’77)
Ms. Margaretha Motes (BA’68)
Mr. Roger Norris (BA’72)
Dr. Jack Miller (PhD’75)

2001

Dr. Willie F. Trotty (PhD’77)
Dr. Barbara Bradley Stonewater (BA’68, MS’69)
Mrs. Rhonda Lantz Buzan (BA’71)
Dr. Bernadette Cole Slaughter (PhD’83)
Mrs. Amy M. Jacks (BA’99)

2000

Dr. Marylu K. McEwen
Dr. Russell L. Nichols
Mr. Robert S. Foerster
Dr. William R. Fellmy
Mrs. Amy D. Sturgeon

1999

Dr. Ann E. Robinson
Mr. Thomas G. Grabill
Ms. Barbara Jo McCain
Ms. Patricia Lynn O’Brien
Mr. William Shidler

1998

Mr. James C. Chasey
Mrs. Lauralee Foerster
Dr. Carole A. Ames
Ms. Michelle L. Graham

1997

Dr. William A. Jenkins
Dr. Harlan R. Day
Mr. George W. Miller
Mrs. Jill R. Fuller Todd

1996

Dr. Joan P. Gipe
Mrs. Hazel J. Feldhusen
Dr. Nellie F. Moore
Mr. Paul D. Schuyler
Mr. John P. Pearl

1995

Ms. Janet C. Ault
Dr. Robert Dalton
Ms. Elizabeth Halterman
Ms. Marie C. Roth

1994

Dr. Christine Marie Campbell
Dr. Timothy F. Hyland
Mrs. Amy M. McClelland
Dr. Richard J. Noeth

1993

Ms. Cheryl A. Cowan
Mr. Donald C. Manlove
Mrs. Sandra K. Shoemaker

1992

Dr. Richard L. Andrews
Dr. Rita Rodgers Culross
Mrs. Kathy L. Payne

1991

Dr. Richard D. Miller
Dr. Lowell C. Rose
Dr. Kathleen Steele