College of Health and Human Performance recognizes philanthropy, service
Dean Anisa Zvonkovic, left, stands with Beth Chaney, who was inducted into HHP’s Marvin and Joyce Johnson Wall of Fame. (Photos by Rob Taylor)
Every year, generous donors support scholarships, travel for students, academic programs and community outreach for East Carolina University’s College of Health and Human Performance (HHP). This year, HHP recognized philanthropy alongside the outstanding service of emeritus faculty and the college’s Marvin and Joyce Johnson Wall of Fame inductees.
“This event brings us all together in a unified college of HHP and allows us to celebrate our achievements under one roof,” said Dr. Anisa Zvonkovic, dean of the College of Health and Human Performance.
Zvonkovic acknowledged the importance of the Cornerstone Society, which recognizes donors providing gifts of $1,000 or more. Their philanthropic gifts totaled more than $756,000 in 2018-19, a 62% increase from the previous year.
The gifts fund a wide range of programs and projects including: Camp WholeHeart, a weekend of camping designed to help children with heart defects understand their condition through education and recreational activities; student travel to attend professional conferences and the National Retail Federation trade shows in New York and Los Angeles; and the National Public Health Week student and alumni event on the topic of “Rural Cancer Survivors: Challenges and Opportunities for Intervention.”
Student Rebecca Olsen, fashion merchandising and consumer studies major, spoke about the scholarship she received.
The Pecheles Automotive Group Inc. was recognized for sponsoring the HHP scholarship breakfast for 16 consecutive years. The local business also supports an annually funded scholarship in HHP.
Speaking at the event, Rebecca Olsen, fashion merchandising and consumer studies major, said that a travel scholarship supported her attending the National Retail Federation conference in New York.
“This networking experience led to other opportunities and a job offer with Kohl’s corporate before my senior year even started,” said Olsen.
Zvonkovic shared several new initiatives such as the Design4Disability Documentary Film Festival, which highlighted efforts to produce meaningful change in health and the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. She announced that the topic for the 2021 film festival will be Aging4All.
HHP created the PeeDee Sensory Room in Minges Coliseum in partnership with ECU athletics, Aces for Autism, and the Autism Society to provide resources for fans who are experiencing sensory overload from the game day experience. It is the first of its kind at an ECU athletic venue.
Susan Martin Meggs stands to be recognized as an emeritus faculty member.
“These initiatives illustrate how HHP delivers prevention science,” said Zvonkovic.
Brenda Eastman, Tim Kelley, Susan Martin Meggs and Joe Shrader were honored as emeritus faculty. Glen Gilbert was recognized as dean and professor emeritus.
Not only does the Wall of Fame honor the service and leadership of alumni and friends, it has raised more than $95,000 since its inception in 2015 for student scholarships, travel, and to support faculty and academic programming. The Marvin and Joyce Johnson Wall of Fame 2020 inductees were Barbara Brehm, Shelia Grant Bunch, Beth Chaney, Don Chaney and Damon Rappleyea.
Brehm has honed a powerful teaching style, which has created lasting impressions on both students and teachers. She is known for teaching teachers to teach with love and respect for their students. Brehm’s distinguished career has been dedicated to improving early childhood education.
Shelia Bunch, professor and director of the School of Social Work, was inducted into HHP’s Wall of Fame.
Teaching, mentoring and leading for more than three decades at ECU, Bunch leaves behind a trail of successfully trained professionals across the country and a large footprint on the field of social work.
Beth Chaney is known as a passionate professor who provides teaching excellence through experiential learning and meaningful feedback. Her primary research focus is instrument development and program evaluation in health education and behavior.
Don Chaney has led the Department of Health Education and Promotion as chair since 2013, presiding over unprecedented growth and expansion in teaching, student enrollment, majors and extramural funding.
Rappleyea is committed to marriage and family therapy (MFT) training excellence. He has led the program through the past eight years of continuous accreditation. Boasting a 100% national MFT exam pass rate, the program has more than 300 alumni who have compassionately provided systemic therapy to thousands of clients.
-by Kathy Muse, College of Health and Human Performance, musek@ecu.edu