FSU College of Education to honor 2020 distinguished alumni

The FSU College of Education's Distinguished Alumni for 2020. Top row, left to right: Abria Ja’Mar Harris, Paul M. Pedersen, Amelia Parnell and Erika Lowery. Bottom row, left to right: L. “Cissy” Petty, Shirley Green-Reese, William V. Husfelt, III and Ellington Darden. (FSU College of Education)
The FSU College of Education's Distinguished Alumni for 2020. Top row, left to right: Abria Ja’Mar Harris, Paul M. Pedersen, Amelia Parnell and Erika Lowery. Bottom row, left to right: M.L. “Cissy” Petty, Shirley Green-Reese, William V. Husfelt, III and Ellington Darden. (FSU College of Education)

The Florida State University College of Education has named its Distinguished Alumni for 2020. The college will be recognizing eight individuals for their achievements in the field of education during a virtual ceremony.

“I am honored to welcome the newest class of Distinguished Alumni back to the College of Education,” said Damon Andrew, dean of the College of Education. “Though the event format will be virtual, we’re excited as ever to honor this year’s winners.”

The event will be streamed remotely at 6 p.m. EST, Friday, Dec. 4, on the College of Education’s Facebook and YouTube channel.

Established in 1985, the College of Education Distinguished Alumni Awards provides an avenue for honoring graduates of the college who have distinguished themselves through scholarly, creative and humanitarian achievement and service to their profession.

The Trailblazer Award was established in 2018 to recognize alumni who have graduated in the past 10 years and who have made a significant impact within their profession, contributed to their community and shown promise of continued success.

“These individuals have distinguished themselves in a variety of careers, and all have applied what they have learned at the College of Education to make the world a better place,” Andrew said.

Each year, recipients are nominated by their peers and selected by a committee of College of Education alumni, retired faculty and current staff members. This year’s award winners are:

  • Trailblazer: Abria Ja’Mar Harris (B.S. ’13), mathematics specialist for Gadsden County Public Schools
  • Trailblazer: Amelia Parnell (Ph.D. ’10), vice president for research and policy at NASPA — Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
  • Distinguished Alumni — Higher Education Administration: M.L. “Cissy” Petty (M.S. ’80, Ph.D. ’85), vice president of student affairs and dean of students at George Washington University
  • Distinguished Alumni — K-12 Administration: William V. Husfelt, III (B.S. ’80, M.S. ’91), superintendent of Bay District Schools in Panama City, Florida
  • Distinguished Alumni — Postsecondary Systems — University: Paul M. Pedersen (Ph.D. ’00), professor of sport management at Indiana University
  • Distinguished Alumni — Physical Education: Ellington Darden (Ph.D. ’72), exercise researcher and author
  • Distinguished Educator: Erika Lowery (B.S. ’96), secondary social studies coordinator for Denton Independent School District in Denton, Texas
  • Lifetime Achievement: Shirley Green-Reese (Ph.D. ’86), education, Title IX, and collegiate sports-related issues consultant

For more information about the College of Education’s Distinguished Alumni Awards, visit education.fsu.edu/daa.