2024 Spring Awards

The spring award honorees included (from left) Tyler Endebrock, Raquel Braun, Michele Moore, Brian Carwile, Trivel McKire, Kelsey Garrison, Paula Welch, Stephen Coombes, Anna Gardner and Jenny Neelands.

April 19, 2024

by Bridgette Welch

On April 12, the University of Florida College of Health & Human Performance recognized 16 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.

Two additional awards were also bestowed on long-time college faculty. Ruth H. Alexander, Ed.D., emeritus professor and former chair of the Department of Physical Education for Women, and Paula Welch, Ed.D., professor emeritus and the first varsity women’s basketball coach at the University of Florida, were recognized for their years of service to the college and outstanding contributions to the community and women's intercollegiate athletic program. 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.

2024 honorees

Doctoral Dissertation Mentor of the Year

Stephen Coombes

Teacher of the Year

Anna Gardner

Advisor of the Year

Jenny Neelands

Charles S. Williams Service Award

DeEtta Rhodes

Awards of Distinction

Ruth Alexander
Paula Welch

Wellspring Foundation Student Award

Kelsey Garrison

40 Under 40

Latia Hickerson
Colby Kash

Outstanding Young Alumni

Yanna Pantelis Boutzoukas
Tyler Endebrock
Kelsey Tainsh

Alumni Hall of Fame

Raquel Braun
Trivel McKire
Michele Moore

B.K. Stevens Service Award

Brian Carwile

Thank you to Chip & Joann Sharkey, Paula Welch and Jane Bergman for sponsoring the 2024 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.

2024 Spring Awards Program