UA College of Human Environmental Sciences Presents Alumni Awards

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama College of Human Environmental Sciences presented the Jack Davis Professional Achievement Award during recent homecoming activities on campus.

This year’s honorees inlcude Dr. Todd Bartee, Dr. Christina Eyers, Jessica Garrison, Dr. Sookja Lim, Kelsey McLemore, Erika Mutzberg Mead, Chris Milazzo, Dr. Lysa Parker, Mary Irene Silveus and Gaines Willoughby.

The awards are presented annually to outstanding CHES alumni for their professional accomplishments. Dr. Jack Davis, the first male graduate of the College, was a pioneer in emphasizing nutrition and dentistry.

Dr. Todd Bartee
Bartee, associate professor of health promotion at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, was recognized for his achievements in health promotion. He earned a Master of Arts degree in health studies from UA and completed doctorate studies in health behavior and promotion in a joint program at UA and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Throughout his career, Bartee has focused on diversity in the classroom and was a finalist for the University of Wyoming’s “Warming Up the Chill” award which recognizes, “a teacher who values diversity and creates a classroom climate that exemplifies thoughtfulness, mutual respect and academic excellence.”

Dr. Christina Eyers
Eyers, of Holt, Mich., was recognized for her achievements in athletic training. She earned a Master of Arts degree in health studies from UA. Eyers is associate professor and clinical education coordinator in the department of physical education and sport at Central Michigan University.

Jessica Garrison
Garrison, of Tuscaloosa, was recognized for her achievement in consumer sciences. She graduated from UA with a Bachelor of Science in 1997 and from UA School of Law with a Juris Doctor in December 2000. As an undergraduate, she served as president of the Student Government Association. Garrison is a partner of Phelps, Jenkins, Gibson & Fowler, LLP and is also serving as the campaign manager for Luther Strange, a Republican Attorney General candidate.

Dr. Sookja Lim
Lim, professor emeritus of Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea, was recognized for her achievements in clothing and textile design. She came to the U.S. to complete her studies for a Master of Science in clothing and textile design. Lim is a celebrated and respected member of her profession in her native South Korea and has received numerous honors from the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles, of which she currently serves as executive adviser. Her daughter, renowned pianist Meehyun Ahn, recently came to UA to honor Lim’s wish to see her daughter perform at her alma mater.

Kelsey McLemore
McLemore was recognized for her achievements in sport management.  She works in athletic training for Champion Sports Medicine in Bessemer and Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center. She received a Master of Science degree in sport management from UA and a Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training from Troy University. MeLemore holds certifications from the National Athletic Training Association and Alabama Athletic Training Association.

Erika Mutzberg Mead
Mead, of Cullman, was recognized for her achievements in restaurant and hospitality management. She is an information specialist for Integral Hospitality Solutions in Birmingham. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in restaurant and hospitality management from UA in 2005.

Chris Milazzo
Milazzo, of Birmingham, was recognized for his achievements in interior design. He completed degree studies from CHES, then the School of Economics, and has been a licensed interior designer since the profession’s inception of licensing requirements. Milazzo is the owner and president of Chris Milazzo Interiors Inc. in Vestavia Hills.

Dr. Lysa Parker
Parker, a writer, speaker and parenting consultant in private practice at www.parentslifeline.com, was recognized for her achievements in human development and family studies. She received her bachelor’s in education and her master’s degree in human development and family studies from UA. She earned her designation of Certified Family Life Educator from the National Council on Family Relations in 2004. As co-founder of Attachment Parenting International, she served as the executive director for 13 years, focusing on program development, public relations and fundraising. Prior to her involvement with API, she worked as a special education teacher helping children with multiple handicaps and learning difficulties.

Mary Irene Silveus
Sliveus, a senior business analyst & trainer at MedRisk Inc., was recognized for her achievements in interactive technology. She earned a master’s degree in interactive technology (instructional technology) from UA with a GPA of 4.0.

Gaines Willoughby
Willoughby was recognized for his achievements in nutrition. He has been employed by PepsiCo for the past 8 years, and, as the south regional account manager for the foodservice division, he won the company’s “Ring of Honor” award in 2003 and the “Pinnacle” award in 2005. Previously, Willoughby was employed by Morrison Healthcare for six years as a hospital foodservice director in the states of Mississippi and Alabama where he won “Rookie of the Year” and “Director of the Year” awards while managing the dietary department at Biloxi Regional Medical Center. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from UA in the Coordinate Program for Dietitics and serves as a member of the UA Food and Nutrition Advisory Council.