2023 Spring Awards

The spring award honorees included (top row, left) Ashlee Ossiboff, Elder Garcia Varela, Bryant Seamon, Annabelle Juin, Jenna Nales, Alice Norsworthy, Leisha McKinley-Beach, (front row, left) Leigh Feenburg, Joe DaSilva, Jill Varnes, Daniel Rogers, Janice Tucker, Bob Allen, Stacy Cutrono and Joe Russo.

May 8, 2023

by Bridgette Welch

On April 28, the University of Florida College of Health & Human Performance recognized 14 alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends making an impact within The Gator Nation and beyond.

The ceremony recognized the college’s finest community members and honored the latest inductees to the Hall of Fame. Each honoree was awarded a plaque and will be publicly memorialized by the addition of a newly engraved brick in the Florida Gym courtyard at the college's main entrance.

In addition, the spring awards celebrated the recognition of two endowed professorships and a newly created endowed chair position. David Vaillancourt, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Applied Physiology & Kinesiology, was named the Orchid Medical Chair. Additionally, George Cunningham, Ph.D., professor and chair in the Department of Sport Management, was named the University Athletic Association Endowed Professor; and Jalie Tucker, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Health Education & Behavior, was named the Mary F. Lane Endowed Professor.

Two additional awards were also bestowed on long-time college faculty. Bob Allen, Ed.D., professor emeritus, and Jill Varnes, Ed.D., professor emeritus, were recognized for their years of service to the college and outstanding contributions to the community and field of education. Plaques recognizing each of these longtime faculty members have been placed in the Hall of Honor on the second level of the Florida Gym near the dean's suite.

2023 honorees

Doctoral Dissertation Mentor of the Year

David Vaillancourt

Teacher of the Year

Ashlee Ossiboff

Charles S. Williams Service Award

Daniel Rogers

Endowed Faculty Professorships

George Cunningham, University Athletic Association Endowed Professor
Jalie Tucker, Mary F. Lane Endowed Professor
David Vaillancourt, Orchid Medical Chair

Award of Distinction

Bob Allen
Jill Varnes

Wellspring Foundation Student Award

Elder Garcia Varela

40 Under 40

Ewan Cobran
Stacy Cutrono
Jenna Nales

Outstanding Young Alumni

Joe DaSilva
Annabelle Juin
Bryant Seamon

Alumni Hall of Fame

Leigh Feenburg
Gordon Glover
Leisha McKinley-Beach
Joe Russo

B.K. Stevens Service Award

Alice Norsworthy

Thank you to Bob and Becky Allen, Dr. Thomas H. Bell and Jane Bergman for sponsoring the 2023 Spring Awards. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

In addition, thank you to the college community for nominating and recognizing these outstanding honorees. Learn more about the nomination process.