Spring 2023
Congratulations to the Spring 2023 Pure Gold Award Recipients!
January 2023
RESEARCH: Christopher Wynveen
Associate Professor, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation
"Dr. Wynveen continues to investigate recreational uses of the Waco Mammoth site, connecting wider recreation and national park use scholarship to Baylor and Waco. He is also working with scholars from around the country investigating traditionally underrepresented racial groups as they engage in contemporary hunting practices. His involvement with the Black Hunters project 'shines a light' on historically hidden recreational groups and communities." —Andrew Meyer
TEACHING: Ruthie Davis
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Human Sciences and Design
"Guided by her years of experience as a Certified Child Life Specialist, Professor Davis masterfully illustrates theory and concepts with real-world situations experienced by children and families in crisis. Her students value her generous mentorship and practical support within and outside the classroom, and her desire to create safe spaces for learning difficult concepts. Her caring and compassionate approach provide an enduring foundation for student support and success." —Nicole McAninch
SERVICE: Lori McNamara
Director of Administrative Affairs, Department of Occupational Therapy/Department of Physical Therapy
"Lori is the glue that holds the occupational therapy department together. She is consistently the person whom faculty and staff can rely on. She goes above and beyond each day to serve her colleagues and the students and embodies Baylor's call for servant-leadership. Lori ensures that our program and all of us run smoothly and creates opportunities for us to shine within our department. It is an honor and pleasure to serve along side our loyal Baylor Bear Lori McNamara." —Jerilyn Callen
CULTURE: Kimberly Hammond
Senior Academic Advisor, Academic Advising
"In Fall of 2021 Kimberly was diagnosed with cancer and started treatment in Spring 2022. However, through it all, Kimberly demonstrated true courage and love to all those around her. I’ve never seen anything like it—she radiated Christ-like joy and love throughout her treatment. In all my years of working at Baylor, I’ve never met anyone who shines with such joy and Christ-like love. There isn’t any other way to say it: We all are truly blessed to have Kimberly in our lives—she is pure gold!" —Christopher Kuhl
February 2023
RESEARCH: Anne Boddy
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy
"Dr. Anne Boddy works tirelessly to collaborate, conduct, and disseminate research. Her collaborative spirit shines like Pure Gold. Since joining us in 2021, she has submitted seven grant applications, five manuscripts, and completed six state or national presentations. Fifty percent of these included collaborators from within the department. She started a departmental education-research group that meets monthly, and she connected two new faculty with researchers within the university. Dr. Boddy is Pure Gold!" —Teresa Bachman
TEACHING: Justin Adeyemi
Lecturer, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation
"Dr. Justin Adeyemi has a passion for teaching students through his well crafted "flipped" classroom approach. He challenges his Health Science Studies students to bring concepts and approaches learned prior to class and works with them in deliberate application. His approach to applicable teaching provides students invaluable experiences in the classroom, helping develop their practical skills. His students report being well prepared for graduate school and professional settings." —Andrew Meyer
SERVICE: Victoria Crenshaw
Administrative Associate, Department of Human Sciences and Design
"Victoria demonstrates excellent Christ-like hospitality to faculty, staff, and students in her role. Her colleagues, including myself, enjoy working with her attitude and giving spirit. She brings a refreshing atmosphere to our department by making each individual person feel valued. She goes above and beyond in her duties every day with a kind smile. Her encouraging attitude combined with her hard work ethic deserves recognition. She is an asset to all of Baylor and a blessing to HSD." —Noelle Rogers
CULTURE: Alyssa Harrington
Academic Advisor, Academic Advising
"Alyssa is engaging and truly cares for her students. She exemplifies Holistic Advising. She doesn’t just provide courses to take, she connects with her students, provides context for their situation, and offers appropriate choices for resources and Baylor Support. Alyssa truly provides a "pastoral presence" as she helps students navigate their time here at Baylor. It's not uncommon for students to open up and even cry in her office! Alyssa is a wonderful light that shines brightly at Baylor!" —Christopher Kuhl
March 2023
RESEARCH: Matt Asare
Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health
"Dr. Asare has become a well-known and respected expert in the field of cancer control and prevention studies, specifically in minority and underserved populations in the U.S. and in Ghana. He has published more than 31 articles since coming to Baylor with most including student authors. His work has been supported by both internal and external funding. Dr. Asare is a wonderful mentor for students, including them in his research projects and as co-authors on his publications and presentations." —Beth Lanning
TEACHING: Andy Meyer
Associate Professor, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation
"Dr. Meyer embodies the commitment to teaching, research, service, and culture we aspire to as faculty at Baylor. Within Robbins College, he teaches both undergraduate and graduate students while maintaining an active research line. Additionally, he serves in community and professional leadership roles. Within our department, he’s piloting a teaching evaluation and mentorship program that helps current and new faculty members develop and maintain a commitment to excellence in teaching!" —Justin Adeyemi
SERVICE: Noelle Rogers
Lab and Budget Coordinator, Department of Human Sciences and Design
"Noelle Rogers is the gold standard to which I will compare all future hires. She always arrives early and does all of her work with excellence, and even more importantly, has an unfailing positive attitude. She is fantastic at seeing both the small and big pictures when it comes to anticipating potential challenges and asking all the right questions so that those challenges never materialize. Her exemplary work ethic, willingness to listen, and problem-solving skills for others create a happy working environment." —Leigh Greathouse, Lorynn Divita, Jay Yoo
CULTURE: Casey Unverzagt
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy
"Dr. Casey Unverzagt embodies Baylor University's culture by providing an unambiguously Christian educational environment. Dr. Unverzagt's serves as a leader within the DPT faculty, demonstrating the importance of providing an environment that fosters and supports faculty, staff, and students through acceptance and belonging within our department. Thank you Dr. Unverzagt, for allowing everyone to feel a sense that we all belong at Baylor." —Anne Boddy
April 2023
RESEARCH: Cory Smith
Assistant Professor, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation
"Dr. Cory Smith embodies the concepts of innovation and collaboration. The innovative technologies that he incorporates into his research are both life-saving and life-changing. He reaches out across departments to foster research collaborations that make an impact in society. He is also an excellent mentor for students and new researchers. Dr. Smith is an instrumental part of a research team that includes faculty within the physical therapy department. His energy for research is contagious." —Megan Flores and Liz Ardolino
TEACHING: Kathryn Janda
Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health
"Dr. Janda embodies the Baylor commitment to teaching and student care. She goes above and beyond to provide high-quality mentorship to her graduate students in one-on-one settings, within traditional courses, and in the culminating capstone experience. In her first year on faculty, she has piloted multiple career development opportunities for public health graduate students. Dr. Janda fosters an environment of acceptance and belonging for everyone." —Kelly Ylitalo
SERVICE: Deborah Rainer
Associate Chair for Residential Clinic and Online Programs, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
"Professor Rainer has been the Clinical Coordinator in Baylor's Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic for three decades. She has mentored over 1,000 graduate students in their journey to become excellent speech-language pathologists. Professor Rainer leads with her strong Christian faith and is always available to pray with colleagues and faculty. She has been instrumental in developing our online master's program and has initiated several important state-of-the-art clinical initiatives."—Diane Loeb
CULTURE: Maxcey Blaylock
Director of Marketing and Communications, Office of the Dean
"Maxcey has completely revamped our Robbins College marketing strategy and brand image for the better. She has brought her expertise of managing social media, including instagram and the website, as well as her strategic vision to our 9-year-old college. This has allowed us to grow our brand, and our collegiality, leaps and bounds over the last year. Sic 'em!" —Kim Smith