Spring 2024

Congratulations to the Spring 2024 Pure Gold Award Recipients!

January 2024

RESEARCH: Katie Janda-Thomte

Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health

"Katie is an innovative, collaborative, and strong researcher committed to community-driven approaches that address health disparities in food access and healthy eating. In her short time at Baylor, she has transferred existing funding and contributed to multiple large external proposals to support her research impact. Recently, she received news of funding from the Spencer Foundation to support her role as Co-I for the next five years on a multi-disciplinary project here at Baylor." —Renée Umstattd Meyer

TEACHING: Stanley Wilfong

Senior Lecturer, Department of Human Sciences and Design

"Stanley Wilfong is an excellent instructor and colleague. He is a tremendous asset to the Department of Human Sciences and Design. Stanley shares his passion and knowledge of Nutrition Sciences with his students, and in turn, they have a passion for the field. The students love Professor Wilfong and they feel welcome in his office for help with study assistance, planning for their future, or just conversation. He truly cares for Baylor students and the Nutrition program and serves as the Division Leader. Sic 'em, Stanley!" —Karen King

SERVICE: Nicole Mitchell

Student Affairs Coordinator, Department of Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy

"Nicole has stepped up in so many ways across two departments with creative new ideas. She handles numerous administrative tasks seamlessly, and she's exceptionally organized. She voluntarily stepped into new roles orchestrating three graduation banquets honoring 185 students, orientation processing for 197 matriculating students, and assisting with licensure for 93 upcoming graduates from across the Nation. We are so fortunate to have her in our department and her work ethic is second to none!" —Jessica Feda

CULTURE: Amy Beck

Assistant to the Chair, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

"Amy is a beacon of joy to the faculty and entire Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Each time we meet, she asks, 'Can we pray?' and thanks God for the goodness He has given us. She always greets you, always follows up when she asks 'How are you today?' and always smiles. Despite her proven standard of excellent work, she likes to share her "fail" of the day to remind us to laugh at the small things. We are all encouraged every day by her faith, excellence, diligence, and joy!" —Nathan Ramsey

February 2024

RESEARCH: Elizabeth Ardolino

Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy

"Dr. Liz Ardolino's excitement for research is infectious, and she has a long history of mentoring junior researchers. Part of her research agenda aims to optimize movement and improve quality of life for children and adults with neuromotor conditions by improving physical therapy assessments and interventions. She collaborates across departments and universities to disseminate important scholarly work. Dr. Ardolino is dependable, hard working, and fun to work with. She is pure gold!" —Megan Flores

TEACHING: Kyle Adams

Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy

"Dr. Kyle Adams is an exceptional instructor. He consistently receives top scores on his course teaching evaluations and students feel very comfortable learning from Dr. Adams. He takes great pride in constructing and maintaining a course that is easy for students to navigate. Additionally, he seeks to create and administer learning activities that are 'outside of the box' using best-practice methods to facilitate student learning. Dr. Adams is the definition of a Pure Gold Teacher!" —Teresa Bachman

SERVICE: Sherry Hansen

Financial Administrator, Office of the Dean

"Sherry is a new member of the Robbins College team, and I have been so impressed with her responsiveness, efficiency, and warmth. In her short time here, she has already made a positive impact. I appreciate her quick and friendly responses to requests for help and her sensible approach to problem-solving. She has definitely been a 'golden' addition to Robbins College!" —Maxcey Blaylock

CULTURE: Barbara Doucet

Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy

"Dr. Doucet is what we strive to be—kind, warm, thoughtful, and genuine. Her faith shows through in everything she does, teaching, mentoring, friendship, and everyday life. This program—including the students, fellow faculty, and staff—are truly blessed to have her. She makes a positive impact on everyone she encounters." —Lee Barton

March 2024

RESEARCH: Andrew Gallucci

Associate Professor, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation

"Andrew Gallucci is one of the most prolific writers in the HHPR department (e.g., in each of the last two years he has contributed to over 10 peer-reviewed articles). Furthermore, the average citations each of his work continues to have an upward trajectory (notably, the number of citations he received last year was almost double of that of 2022, signifying that others see its value and are using it to further their research as well)." —Chris Wynveen

TEACHING: Emilio "Louie" Puentedura

Clinical Professor, Department of Physical Therapy

"Louie has a Pure Gold dedication to teaching that goes above and beyond. He and his teaching team guide students in learning human anatomy through digital media and engaging virtual teaching. The learning culminates with first-of-its-kind cadaver instruction within hybrid DPT education, enriching the experience for our future physical therapists. He challenges students beyond their comfort zones, yet shows deep compassion as he guides each individual to realize their abilities. Thank you, Louie!" —Brian Young

SERVICE: Jay Yoo

Associate Professor, Department of Human Sciences and Design

"Dr. Jay Yoo is a well-published, valuable asset to our HSD department and Robbins College. Dr. Yoo serves as the apparel division leader and is very active in the apparel industry organizations, including being honored with an Outstanding Service Recognition Award with AAFCS-TX. He recently received the Centennial Professor Award, Baylor Library Teaching Fellow, and URSA Presentation Award. Dr. Yoo represents Baylor outstandingly well and shines like valuable GOLD. Sic ‘em!" —Karen King

CULTURE: Adair McGregor

Academic Advisor, Office of Advising

"Support, encourage, and expect excellence in all undertakings"—Adair exemplifies this goal every day. I have witnessed her work in difficult situations with students and parents with patience and grace. She is an advocate for her Robbins students, faculty/staff, and Baylor. She is a role model for our team and goes above and beyond to support the Robbins Advising office. Mrs. McGregor’s service, her caring spirit, and her dedication to her students is indeed a testimonial to Robbins’s and Baylor’s success." —Amanda Holland

April 2024

RESEARCH: Rebecca Jones-Antwi

Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health

"Rebecca is an innovative public health researcher who focuses on understanding the heart health of an often overlooked and quickly growing group of people—multi-racial adults in the U.S. Rebecca has been actively submitting external proposals to answer this calling since being hired at Baylor in the summer of 2023, and this spring learned that her 3-year Career Development Award was funded by the American Heart Association! Rebecca's passion to make a difference through her research is infectious." —Renée Umstattd Meyer

TEACHING: Bridget Scheidler

Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy

"Bridget exemplifies what it means to be a student-centered educator. She seeks mentorship, research, and student feedback to innovate and evolve her teaching practices. She has instituted a prayer request system with the classes to support their spiritual needs. She is a master at designing innovative and energizing lab immersions. Her commitment to serving the whole student shines through in the positive and caring atmosphere she is able to create in a hybrid environment." —Kayla Collins

SERVICE: Alexis Davidson

Director of Research and Grant Administration, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences

"Alexis Davidson elevates the research output of the College by providing the critical support and developing initiatives to help improve the grant writing and submission for all faculty. She routinely responds to questions quickly and provides constructive feedback even on relatively short time frames. Most importantly, she is a strong advocate for me on my grant submissions and works tirelessly behind the scenes to take things off my plate and allow me to focus on the grant writing." —Michael Wiggs

CULTURE: Jacob Limmer

Equipment Room/Outdoor Recreation Manager, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation

"Prior to Thanksgiving break, Jacob responded to an emergency situation with a faculty member on campus in the Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation. Jacob demonstrated competency and calmness in an extremely intense circumstance. His responsiveness and quick thinking saved a life! His compassion and care for the faculty member was evident by his insistence on following the ambulance to the hospital and waiting in the ER until he was able to see the person and give them a hug." —Tricia Blalock