2012 Faculty Awards
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Department of Health & Human Performance
Carolyn Thompson Memorial Community Engagement Award
honors Dr. & Mrs. W. Leroy Fanning
Leroy & Rita Fanning
Dr. and Mrs. W. Leroy Fanning were honored as the recipients of the 2012 Carolyn Thompson Memorial Community Engagement Award at the 2012 Faculty Awards Celebration held at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on April 16. This was the initial presentation of the Carolyn Thompson Memorial Community Engagement Award. Rita and Leroy have worked as a tireless team in the volunteer setting in a multitude of events. Dr. Fanning is currently serving as UC Foundation Professor & Department Head for the Department of Health & Human Performance.
In the words of one of the people who nominated them for this prestigious award, "They worked to bring the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to UT Chattanooga and have managed the event for the last 11 years. Rita was recently recognized by the American Cancer Society as one of the top five volunteer caregivers to survivors, driving over 250 patients to cancer treatments free of cost. Rita and Leroy have volunteered and worked the Chickamauga Chase for over 20 years. They volunteer and work Riverbend each year. They worked every TSSAA State Track and Field Event during the Spring Fling. They worked to bring the SEC Women’s Basketball Championships to Chattanooga and then volunteered for the event for the seven years of its existence. Leroy was named the State Games Director for the Tennessee Sportsfest, and he and Rita managed over 20,000 athletes during the State Games while Rita directed the triathlon. He and Rita initiated and managed for seven years the Riverbend Dam Triathlon that has grown into one of the South’s largest triathlons. Rita and Leroy were both officers of the Chattanooga Track Club and volunteered a number of hours directing Track Club events for the Chattanooga Area. Both Rita and Leroy have been inducted into the Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame for their volunteer work. Rita recently received the Betty Pobasco Lifetime Achievement Award, while Leroy was inducted in 2002 for his work as a Sport Official and Sport Manager of multiple sporting events in Chattanooga and the South. Both Rita and Leroy volunteered and worked the 1996 Olympic Games. Rita worked with concessions while Leroy was responsible for all of Olympic Basketball practice coordination and organization."
Leroy and Rita are extremely dedicated individuals with proven positive impacts on the health and well being of themselves and others. Their lifestyle and commitment to enhancing health are evidenced by their devotion and personal pledges to the augmentation of physical health, performance, and improved quality of life among all people.
2012 Outstanding University Service Award
Dr. Fanning was also the recipient of the 2012 Special Recognition for the Outstanding University Service Award at UTC. The individual who nominated him for his outstanding service achievements stated, "Dr. Leroy Fanning has been a servant leader on the Campus of UTC for 41 years. He has consistently been the “Go-To” person for programs, products, and service in the area of Health & Human Performance as well as on campus active living initiatives. Throughout his 41 years of service to UTC, Dr. Fanning has made a number of contributions to the quality of life of faculty, staff and students:
Committees served on in his 41 years of service at UTC:
- Academic Standards, Athletics (25 times—Chair 8), Athletics Board
- Budget & Economic Status, Curriculum Committee (10 times) (Chair of HHP Curriculum Committee 30 years), Honor Court, Graduate Council
- SACS Committee (3 times), QEP – CHEPS NCATE Committees to develop initiatives (Critical Thinking & Reflective Practitioner) (4 times)
- NCAA Athletic Certification Self Study (3 times—Chair of Governance and Commitment to Rules Section)
- Chair HHP Senior Faculty (Tenure and Promotion for 25 years)
University Projects in 41 Years
- Work with Office of Development on the HHP Innovation and Opportunity Campaign
- Served as Komen Chattanooga Race for the Cure Race Coordinator 11 years – Brought Komen Race for the Cure on campus in 2005.
- Instrumental in attracting over $25 Million dollars of sporting event business to City of Chattanooga with over $50,000 in direct funds placed in HHP gift funds
- Tournament Director/Convention Manager for over 30 events held on campus (NCAA, AAU, SEC, TSSAA events)
- Metro Building & Maclellan Gymnasium Renovation Projects (2 projects)
- Interim Department Head on two separate occasions
- Chair HHP Faculty/Staff Campaign (5 times)
- Working on Campus Active Living Initiatives for faculty, staff and students
- Conducted a number of workshops/seminars for community constituents
- Serve on Greater Chattanooga Sports Committee
- Inducted into Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame
2012 University Academic Advisor - Dr. Steve Underwood
Dr. Steve Underwood, Associate Professor, Department of Health & Human Performance, was honored for his outstanding faculty achievements by being named the recipient of the 2012 University Academic Advisor. Reading the comments below of his nomination, clearly indicates the reason Dr. Underwood was recognized with this award.
"If I were to search the dictionary for the ideal faculty advisor I would likely find a picture of Steven A. Underwood. I watch in amazement when Dr. Underwood works with advisees. He literally never forgets a name. He can take the most contentious future professional and sooth their ego while holding this person accountable for her/his progress toward graduation.
Dr. Underwood has in excess of 150 advisees. He spends a minimum of thirty minutes with each advisee and is the most thorough and careful advisor that this Department Head has ever seen. In addition, Dr. Underwood volunteers to mentor K-12 students in preparation for Praxis resulting in an almost 100% pass rate. He also handles all of the students who are returning for Post Bachelors certification in K-12 Health and Physical Education certification.
Dr. Underwood is accessible. As a result Dr. Underwood has attended most of the Freshman/Transfer Orientations and can be counted upon to handle walk-in future professionals who are seeking advisement. He does all of this while maintaining a sense of humor and a pleasing personality. His worth is clearly indicated from a quote by Thomas Paine, 'I love the man that can smile in times of trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection.'."
2012 Outstanding Adjunct Faculty - Stefanie deOlloqui
College of Education & Professional Studies
Stefanie deOlloqui, also of the Department of Health & Human Performance, was honored by being named 2012 Outstanding College of Education & Professional Studies Adjunct Faculty.
In her nomination she was recognized as "demonstrating excellence in teaching and consitently exemplifying more than ample evidence of scholary competence". Stefanie is defined by "being mature in activities concerning her profession and organizations, while performing quality mentoring and meeting the staffing needs of HHP".
Included among many of her accomplishments and listed in her nomination are: Transportation Consultant where she demonstrates solid management, business development, personal leadership and technical expertise in goal achievement; active as a presenter in many professional settings; exemplary use of evidence based presentations; service to most "not-for-profit" boards as a frequent presenter; holds core strengths in strategic planning and analysis as evidenced in the number of grants awarded through Outdoor Chattanooga and the Transportation Planning Organization in the area of active transport (Bicycle Share Program); instrumental in acquiring over $2 million in grants in the Greater Chattanooga Arena; epitomizes skill in strategic alliance and partnership development as evidenced in the number of teams she has put together for successful grant work; and successful as an accomplished planner while being the embodiement of understandng policy development in the community.
She is a lead instructor for HHP 2990, Introduction to Research Methods in Health & Human Performance, and has mentored faculty and adjunct faculty in preparation of this body of work. Student evaluations consistently indicate her exemplary qualifications.
