Southeastern Louisiana University

Alumnus of the Year

Biograhpy of Past Recipients:

 Lisa Johnson (Kinesiology and Health Studies)

 Lisa Johnson completed the BS in Health and Physical Education from the Mississippi University for Women, the MA in Health and Kinesiology from Southeastern, and the PhD in Kinesiology from LSU. Prior to coming to Southeastern, Lisa taught in the public schools in Iberia and Pointe Coupee Parishes and worked as a sales representative. After completing the master's degree, she was hired as a faculty member by the LSU Department of Kinesiology. Initiated with her work as a graduate assistant at Southeastern, Dr Johnson continued to collaborate with Southeastern faculty on research projects, and had 13 national publications as of 2007. In addition to her teaching and research, Lisa has been a leader in LAHPERD (Louisiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance), serving in numerous roles in including Vice-President (2001-2003) and President (2007-2008). In addition to this award, she received the Tiger Athletic Foundation's Undergraduate Teaching Award in 2000 and 2003.
   

Janet G. Mora received her BS in Elementary Education and Speech Correction from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1972 and later received a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Tulane University.  At the time of this award, she is a consultant with the Louisiana State Department of Education in the area of autism, she is responsible for providing professional development and technical assistance on educational services for Louisiana students with autism.  In addition, Mora is the founding director of the Chartwell Center in New Orleans, a non-profit school for children with autism and sensory processing difficulties.  Her knowledge and empathy for individuals and families of individuals with autism is well recognized and her advice and counsel is often sought and given willingly and freely.

2005 Recipient:

Tammy Louk Swindle (Kinesiology and Health Studies)

Tammy Louk Swindle received the BA in Kinesiology (1991) and MA in Health Studies (1994) from Southeastern Louisiana University. At the time of this award, she was Senior Health Educator for the Cancer Center of Greater New Orleans, where she worked since 1996. Her work centers on tobacco prevention and cessation, and each year her programs reach 13,000 students in K-12 schools, and another 10,000 adults. Tammy is a regular presenter at professional conferences and participant in community organizations including the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Louisiana, and Louisiana Cancer Control Partnership. In addition to this award she was named the 1999 Outstanding Tobacco Control Educator by the Louisiana Office of Public Health.

2004 Recipient:

Coletta C. Barrett (School of Nursing) 

Coletta C. Barrett, received her nursing diploma from Charity Hospital School of Nursing in the late 1970s, received her BS in Nursing from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1991 and then received a master’s degree in public health from Tulane University.  At the time of this award, Barrett is vice president of policy development and research for the Louisiana Hospital Association. She is the first registered nurse to be elected to the position.  In addition, Barrett was elected as chair of the AHA, one of the nation’s largest non-profit health organizations.  Previously she worked with Baton Rouge General Medical Center as vice president of administration and as a system vice president for care management. 

2003 Recipient:

Dr. Michael Berry (Kinesiology and Health Studies)
Michael Berry received the BS in Physical Education from Jacksonville State University in 1977, the MA in Physical Education from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1978, and the PhD from Texas A&M University in 1983. At the time of this award, he was a Professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at Wake Forest University. Dr Berry is a renowned scholar in Exercise Physiology, having published a number of research articles in journals such as Journal of Applied Physiology, American Journal of Physical Therapy, and Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. His work has been funded by the National Institute of Health, National Institute of Aging, and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. In addition to this award, he received the 1991 Sears-Roebuck Foundation Teaching Excellence Award.

2002 Recipient:

Dr. W. Leroy Fanning (Kinesiology and Health Studies)
Leroy Fanning received the BA in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1964 (where he was the first Roomie the Lion), followed by an EdD from the University of Georgia. At the time of this award, he was a Professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, where we worked since 1971. An active participant in professional organizations, Dr Fanning has been President of Southern District AAHPERD, and served the AAHPERD organization on committees and activities too numerous to mention. In 2002, he was awarded the AAHPERD R. Tait McKenzie Honor Award, and the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport Presidential Award. He is also a notable contributor to sport, having served as Tournament Director and Senior Sport Manager for USA Basketball for the 1996 Olympics, and tournament coordinator for several AAU/USA Girls Basketball National Championships.