07/21/25 Lawrence, KS, USA

The Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences at the University of Kansas, part of the School of Education and Human Sciences, recognized 13 students, 4 alumni, a faculty member, and a staff member during its 60th Annual Honor Awards Ceremony on May 5, 2025, held at the Lied Center.

HSES Student Awards

Five students were honored for their accomplishments both inside and outside the classroom.

Earl Falkenstien Memorial Award

Alex Ivanuska, a Junior from Kansas City, Kansas, majoring in Physical Education Plus and Health, was honored with the Earl Falkenstien Memorial Award. This award is given to an exceptional junior in the Physical Education program who demonstrates excellence in academics, character, and leadership.

Helen M. Boman Pusey Physical Education Scholarship

Alex Ivanuska, a Junior from Kansas City, Kansas, majoring in Physical Education Plus and Health, was awarded the Helen M. Bowman Pusey Physical Education Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to students working towards a degree in physical education at the University of Kansas School of Education. Helen was a 1935 KU graduate with a University Teacher Diploma.

Larry Heeb Recreation Honor Award

Taylor Zimmerman a senior from Seattle, Washington majoring in Sport Management with a minor in psychology, received the Larry Heeb Recreation Honor Award. This award is given to a student who is committed to serving others and strives for professional growth by pursuing knowledge, understanding, and skills both inside and outside the classroom, and who is involved in State and National Professional organizations. The awardee embodies Larry’s legacy of cooperation, amiability, and assistance.

Wayne Osness Outstanding Doctoral Student Award

Drake Eserhaut, a Physiology Doctoral graduate, has been honored with the Wayne Osness Outstanding Doctoral Student Award. This accolade is awarded to a student engaged in six or more hours of post-master’s graduate-level coursework, who has completed a minimum of two semesters at the University of Kansas, and has exhibited exceptional scholarship, a commitment to supporting fellow graduate students, and a commendable service record within the HSES department.

Don Henry Health Education Award

Mady Mikko, a senior majoring in Community Health from Home Springs, Missouri, was honored with the Don Henry Health Education Award. This award is given to a fourth or fifth-year Health Education student who has maintained a GPA of 3.0 or higher, demonstrates leadership and passion in their field, participates in professional activities, and exemplifies good health, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually.

Bret G. Hammig Exercise Physiology Award

Samantha Richter, a master’s student in Exercise Physiology from Leavenworth, Kansas, was honored with the Bret G. Hammig Exercise Physiology Award for the second year. To be eligible, a student must maintain an overall GPA of 3.5 in their master’s program. Preference is given to students who have demonstrated research excellence in exercise physiology. The awardee should exemplify the determination and resilience to persevere with courage and endurance.

HSES Scholarships

Eight students were recognized as recipients of scholarships.

Marlene Mawson Physical Education Scholarship

Grace Allen, , Senior, Physical Education and Health, Salina, Kansas, was awarded the Marlene Mawson Physical Education Scholarship. Mawson came to KU as a full-time physical education faculty member and initiated the Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Program, which was then sponsored by the HPER Department. She organized and administered the women’s athletic program and was head coach of KU women’s basketball, volleyball, softball, and field hockey. Dr. Mawson was selected to coordinate the HPER undergraduate academic program and later served as HPER graduate coordinator. Dr. Mawson’s Undergraduate Physical Education endowed scholarship recognizes a senior student completing the final year with a minimum of a 3.00 GPA (overall) in the Physical Education program in the Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Kansas. A preference will be given to a student who demonstrates superior skills in multiple sports and dance.

Dr. Forrest C. “Phog” Allen Scholarship

Violet Meyers, Sophomore, Exercise Science, Portland, Oregon, and Taylor Durst, Junior, Psychology and Sport Management, Hills, Minnesota, were awarded the Dr. Forrest C. “Phog” Allen Scholarship. Dr. Allen was not only a successful basketball coach at the University of Kansas but also the first Director of the Division of Physical Education and Intercollegiate Athletics. This allowed him to combine his passions for Coaching, teaching, and pursuing the goal of emphasizing, encouraging, and participating in the art of healing. Many of his conditioning theories came from his osteopathic training. In this regard, Dr. Allen was the first doctor of “Sports Medicine.” This scholarship award is for students with academic merit within the Department of Health, Sports and Exercise Science at the University of Kansas. Two scholarships of equal amounts will be awarded annually, one to a student for their junior year and one to a student for their senior year.

Dr. Robert E. Frederick Scholarship

Suyeon Jung, Doctoral Student, Sport Management, South Korea, was awarded the Dr. Rober E. Frederick Scholarship. The Scholarship recognized an outstanding graduate sport management student who reflects the exemplary character of Dr. Frederick. Dr. Frederick was an Assistant Professor and Lecturer in sport management. He served as Interim Chair of the HSES Department from 2005–2007. He also served as the University’s Director of Athletics.

Marlene Mawson Graduate Sport Management Scholarship

Sarah Enamutor, Doctoral Student, Sport Management, Nigeria, was awarded the Marlene Mawson Graduate Sport Management Scholarship. This scholarship is presented to students with academic merit in the Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Science, working toward a graduate degree in Sport Management at the University of Kansas. A preference will be given to former KU student-athletes.

Marlene Mawson Undergraduate Sport Management Scholarship

Maddox Burkitt, Junior, Sport Management, Lawrence, Kansas, was awarded the Marlene Mawson Undergraduate Sport Management Scholarship. This scholarship is presented to Sport Management students in the Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Science who are completing their senior year internship experience. Preference shall be given to current or former KU athletes.

Patricia Vigorita Physical Education Scholarship

Evan Bannister, Junior, Physical Education, Lawrence, Kansas, was awarded the Patricia Vigorita Physical Education Scholarship. This scholarship is for outstanding students in Physical Education and is based on academic merit and need. Patricia received a bachelor’s degree in physical education from KU in 1971, where she lived in Oliver Hall and was a member of Delta Gamma sorority.

HSES Outstanding Alumni Awards

Four HSES alumni have been honored for their achievements in their respective career fields. The current HSES faculty selected one distinguished alumnus from each program for this recognition.

Outstanding Sport Management Alumni Award

Dave Holtzman was recognized with the Outstanding Sport Management Alumni Award. Holtzman graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management in 2000 and a master’s in Sports Administration in 2003. He is the Baseball Information and Communications Strategist for the Kansas City Royals. After obtaining his master’s degree, he began an internship with the Kansas City Royals’ media relations department. He worked in the Royals’ media relations department for 10 years before accepting a communications position with the San Diego Padres. He returned to Kansas City in 2014 as the producer of the Royals’ television broadcasts and held that position through the 2023 season. In his current role, Holtzman works with the Royals Player Development Department, which oversees the minor league system. He is responsible for communications, branding, and marketing for over 200 minor league players and coaches.

Outstanding Community Health Alumni Award

Enrique Ortiz was recognized with the Outstanding Community Health Alumni Award. Ortiz graduated from the University of Kansas in 2021 with a degree in Community Health and currently serves as an Environmental Health Specialist with the Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health Department. His current responsibilities include verifying and enforcing environmental health codes and regulations for private water supplies, on-site wastewater systems, tobacco retailers, cereal malt beverage license holders, and swimming pools. He has also served as a Community Health Coordinator with Lawrence Douglas County Health. He was also a SNAP-ED Nutrition Educator with K-State Research and Extension.

Outstanding Exercise Science/Physiology Alumni Award

Erin Blocker, PhD, was recognized with the Outstanding Exercise Science/Physiology Alumni Award. Dr. Blocker graduated from the University of Kansas in 2018 with her doctoral degree in Exercise Physiology. She also earned her bachelor’s degree in human biology from the University of Kansas. She is an Assistant Professor in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department, and is the LEAP (Lifestyle Empowerment for Alzheimer’s Prevention) Director at Emporia State University. Dr. Blocker has also served as the Rural LEAP! Coordinator for the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Center. She was also an Adjunct Instructor in the KU Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences in 2017.

Outstanding Physical Education Plus Alumni Award

Mark Ellner, PhD, was recognized with the Physical Education Plus Alumni Award. Dr. Ellner graduated from KU in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and received his teacher certification in 1998. Dr. Ellner currently serves as a Teaching Assistant Professor in Curriculum and Instruction at Kansas State University, where he is a Distant Supervision Specialist. After graduating from the University of Kansas, he worked as a physical education teacher and coach in the Omaha Public School system from 1991 to 2001. He then served as a physical education teacher and coach in the Geary County School District from 2001 to 2008. He earned both his master’s and doctoral degrees from Kansas State University.

HSES Faculty and Staff Awards

Joyce Elaine Pauls Morgan Memorial Excellence in Teaching Award

Dr. Quincy Johnson, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University of Kansas and the Assistant Director of the Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory and Jayhawk Performance Program Coordinator, was honored with the Joyce Elaine Pauls Morgan Memorial Excellence in Teaching Award. This award is bestowed upon the HSES Department’s most outstanding instructor.

George Lottes Family Award for HSES Staff

Greg Rahe received the George Lottes Family Award for HSES Staff. Serving as the Communications Coordinator for the Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences Department since November 2023, Greg was recognized for his integral role within the HSES department through this award.