Congratulations to the Fall 2024 Pure Gold Award Recipients!

August 2024

RESEARCH: Mickey Langlais

Assistant Professor, Department of Human Sciences and Design

"Dr. Mickey Langlais has only been at Baylor one year, yet he has made monumental, positive impacts for student researchers, departmental exposure, and collaborative research. He hit the ground running since he joined Baylor in 2023, hiring 20+ student researchers, spreading the name of Baylor and HSD with his many presentations and publications, and receiving four research grants in the past year. We are so blessed that Dr. Langlais joined Baylor and shared his research passion with us all." —Karen King

TEACHING: D'Anna Nowack

Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

"Dr. D'Anna Nowack has mastered teaching in an online format. She has an impressive ability to engage her students by taking book knowledge, translating it into clinical application, and facilitating rich discussions. Dr. Nowack's strong faith permeates her teaching and student interactions, reminding each student of their God-given gifts and abilities to improve patient outcomes. It was a delight to observe Dr. Nowack's teaching. She represents Baylor well!" —Nadine Welch

SERVICE: Cassie Godfrey

Assistant Director of Student Affairs, Department of Physical Therapy

"Cassie transitioned into the Assistant Director of Student Affairs position when we needed her most to immediately ensure a well-organized DPT student-centered graduation banquet, licensure support, and orientation. Her support was above and beyond expectations from the first day, proactively communicating and learning rapidly. She leaned into student support from the beginning, developing uplifting/innovative events, and personalized Walk and Talks to make each student feel valued and welcome." —Jessica Feda

CULTURE: Ricardo Altahif

Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy

"Dr. Altahif consistently demonstrates an exceptional commitment to fostering collegiality with his colleagues. As a local Waco resident faculty member in our hybrid program, he generously volunteers his time to support our students during lab practical retakes, ensuring students' academic success. His expertise in hand therapy has been invaluable in assisting me with the development of clinically excellent learning materials for our students. I am honored to work alongside him." —Bridget Scheidler

September 2024

RESEARCH: Laurel Proulx

Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy

"Dr. Laurel Proulx just began her second year in the Robbins College Department of Physical Therapy. In her first year, she collaborated with Dr. Koppenhaver to submit a four-year $2.5 million grant to the Department of Defense, which was awarded and began September 1! Laurel brings her expertise to this project, which will test a novel intervention for women service members suffering from debilitating chronic pelvic pain that could provide better access to care and rapid, effective treatment, expediting their return to duty." —Renée Umstattd Meyer

TEACHING: Paul Blanchet

Associate Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

"It is my great honor to nominate Dr. Paul Blanchet for the Pure Gold Award. Paul is an exceptional educator who consistently demonstrates excellence in his mentoring and teaching for undergraduate and graduate students. His ability to make complex concepts accessible through clear explanations is truly commendable. Dr. B.’s commitment to student success is evident in the time and effort he invests in each student. Paul’s dedication to excellence inspires students and faculty alike." —Michaela Ritter

SERVICE: Michael Hannon

Instructional Support Technologist, Department of Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy

"The past few months, Michael has gone above and beyond in providing service to the Physical Therapy department. When I had trouble with my course in Canvas, Michael spent hours on a Teams call with me to fix it. He wouldn't get off the call until he knew the course was at 100%. During my Neuroscience lab immersion, he spent several hours on a Saturday monitoring a Zoom call with a student who had to attend the lab remotely. His patience and dedication are 'pure gold.'" —Liz Ardolino

CULTURE: Kristle Soto

Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

"I am excited to nominate Kristle Soto for the Pure Gold Culture award for her dedication to fostering a culture of interprofessional respect and collaboration among those working with autistic people. Kristle's unwavering commitment to bridging gaps between disciplines has led to more cohesive and effective teams. Her efforts have enhanced communication, mutual respect, and collaboration, ultimately improving outcomes for individuals with autism and their families." —Carrie Drew

October 2024

RESEARCH: Louie Puentedura

Clinical Professor, Department of Physical Therapy

"In additional to his high teaching load and dedication to students, Louie has published more than 100 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals since 2010. His works have been cited over 5,600 times (h-index: 37, i10-index: 64) and he commonly presents his work both nationally and internationally. Additionally, Louie has co-authored several textbooks and has received awards including the Rose Excellence in Research Award from the Orthopedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association." —Shane Koppenhaver

TEACHING: Samantha Dvorak

Associate Chair for Residential Academic Programs, Undergraduate Program Director, and Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

"Samantha’s commitment to evidence-based practice is a cornerstone of her teaching philosophy. She consistently integrates the latest research into her curriculum, ensuring that her students are not only knowledgeable about current theories but also equipped with the practical skills to apply them in clinical settings. This not only enhances the academic rigor of her courses but also prepares students to be effective, research-informed practitioners in the field of speech-language pathology." —Carrie Drew

SERVICE: Jana Parker

Graduate Program Director and Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

"Professor Jana Parker has served as a NSSLHA advisor, providing exceptional guidance and support to our students. Her commitment to the development of future professionals is evident in the countless hours she has spent mentoring and advising students, ensuring they are well-prepared for their careers. Professor Jana Parker has also made significant contributions to our department, demonstrating an unwavering dedication to both her colleagues and the clients she serves." —Carrie Drew

CULTURE: Cassie Godfrey

Assistant Director of Student Support, Department of Physical Therapy

"Cassie Godfrey shines in her role as Assistant Director of Student Affairs for the PT and OT departments. She truly cares about students, working tirelessly to build a nurturing culture of faith and belonging for all students. Cassie volunteers her time for "walk and talks" during lab immersions, giving space for students to discuss any and all topics. Her Christian faith lends compassion and kindness in all her interactions with students, faculty, and staff. Cassie exemplifies pure gold culture." —Megan Flores

November 2024

RESEARCH: Jay Yoo

Associate Professor, Department of Human Sciences and Design

"Dr. Yoo has had an incredible year in research. He received a One-URC grant and the Centennial Grant from the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. He recently had two papers accepted for publication in peer-reviewed impact-factor bearing journals, and has four more papers that are under review. He has worked tirelessly mentoring undergraduate students to ensure that they are also involved with the review process. I am happy to support Dr. Yoo’s nomination for this award." —Mickey Langlais

TEACHING: Carrie Drew

Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

"Dr. Drew consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication to graduate and undergraduate students through the audiology clinic. She goes above and beyond to teach students how to effectively engage with clients who present challenging behaviors—often those who do not receive the necessary audiological evaluations. Her approach includes adapting testing methods to accommodate clients' needs and modeling how to connect with them on a personal level and actively coaching students to do the same." —Kristle Soto

SERVICE: Beth Lanning

Associate Chair and Professor, Department of Public Health

"Dr. Beth Lanning is an asset to Public Health and goes above and beyond to serve colleagues and students. She helps make sure all programs run smoothly and regularly advocates for others. Dr. Lanning’s roles include serving as the associate department chair, the MPH program director, leading the Baylor-Africa New Life Initiative, the fall health fair with Church Under the Bridge, and many more! She consistently takes on service and administrative tasks and works tirelessly to benefit others." —Kelly Ylitalo

CULTURE: Karen King

Office Manager, Department of Human Sciences and Design

"Ms. Karen King, our office manager for the HSD department, is dedicated to fostering a culture of faith, collegiality, and excellence within our department. She consistently goes above and beyond to create an environment where every individual feels valued and supported, exemplifying the principles of faith and mutual respect in all interactions. Her tireless efforts have made a profound impact, nurturing a spirit of belonging." —Jay Yoo