Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies Alumnus of the Year
Each year, the Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies recognizes a graduate whose professional achievements distinguish them among their peers. Recent honorees and their activities are described below.
2019 - Crystal Pichon
Crystal Pichon earned a B.S. in Health Sciences from Southeastern in 2006, and is CEO of The Safety Place, a non-profit organization focusing on child and young adult safety serving the Baton Rouge area. Under her leadership, The Safety Place has grown to provide 700 safety education programs that include distribution of car safety seats, education of young drivers, training programs for cyclists and pedestrians, and gun safety education. Ms. Pichon has remained connected to Southeastern and regularly provides our students with internship and professional development experiences in event planning, public speaking, marketing, program development, and fund raising. She is a dedicated leader and passionate advocate who is making a difference in her community.
2018 - Joey Roberts
Joey Roberts received a B.S. in Health and Physical Education from Southeastern in
2012. As a senior, he was named Outstanding Health and PE Graduate for 2011-2012,
and was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Student Teacher Award by Southeastern's Teacher
Education Program. At the time of this award, Joey was Executive Director for the
West St. Tammany YMCA. A sought-after public speaker, Mr. Roberts was a Toastmaster's
Top 10 Keynote Speaker in 2016, serves on the Mayor's Council on Healthy Lifestyles,
was a recipient of Northshore's Finest in 2016, and was elected to the Covington City
Council in 2018.
2017 - Darrius Hughes
Darrius Hughes completed an undergraduate degree in Spanish (with a Health Promotion minor) as well as a master’s degree in Health and Kinesiology from Southeastern, and is a Certified Health Education Specialist. Since graduating, she has worked in the health education and promotion field as a counselor, educator, and addition specialist. She is currently Training Coordinator at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge. For several years, Darrius served as HIV/AIDS Training Coordinator for the Louisiana Department of Education, providing HIV/AIDs training for schools and community organizations, and evaluating the effectiveness of sex education curricula. Her career path also includes working as Outreach Coordinator-Disease Management for a health-insurance company, Social Services Counselor at a youth corrections agency, and Health Educator for Planned Parenthood. In addition to this award, she was recognized as 2014 Health Educator of the Year–Public Health by the Louisiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
2016 - Ashlee Menke 
Ashlee Menke completed the BS in Health Education & Promotion (2004) and the MA in Health and Kinesiology (2005) from Southeastern. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist as well as a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist. Her career includes working as Outreach Coordinator for APS Healthcare, Client Services Coordinator for American Health, and Prevention and Treatment Specialist for Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. For the 4 years preceding this award, Ashlee has served as Health Education Director for the Cancer Association of Greater New Orleans. In this position, she coordinates and delivers tobacco cessation programs in southeast Louisiana, and collaborates with other United Way agencies.
2015 - Samone Cammon
Samone Cammon completed a BS in Sport Management at Southeastern in 2010. While a
student, she served as president of Sport Management Association, worked with The
Disposable Heroes Project to kick off the 100 Mile Run in support of wounded and fallen
veterans, and interned with the Hammond Host Committee for the 2010 LHSAA Top 28 Girls
Basketball Tournament. She was recognized as the Outstanding Sport Management Graduate
in 2009-2010. After graduation, Samone began her career with The Wendy’s Company,
beginning as Marketing Coordinator for New Product Initiatives, and advancing to Marketing
Specialist. Her work centers on multi-dimensional marketing support of local and national
promotions, new restaurant openings, franchise consulting, and media planning, covering
the southeast U.S. In 2013 and 2014 Samone received the Wendy’s Diamond Award for
Best Sales Building Initiative, and Best Marketing Campaign of the Year. Originally
from Destrehan, Samone resides in Roswell, GA.
2014 - Robert Sloan
Dr. Robert Sloan began working in health promotion for the U.S. Navy right after graduating with our MA degree in Health Promotion and Exercise Science. He was soon promoted to department head and sent to Japan to coordinate regional training and research in health promotion for all Department of Defense medical facilities throughout Asia. He became the lead health promotion advisor for the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center during which time he completed his Ph.D. in Public Health. Currently he is the Deputy Director of health promotion in Singapore where he continues an extremely active research agenda on obesity and effects of exercise on health.
Dr. Sloan has authored over ten professional publications in highly respected journals
and has worked on or directed research projects with internationally known investigators.
He has won the Navy Health Research Award three times. Dr. Sloan remains consistent,
dedicated, passionate, enthusiastic, and cheerful. He is a health promotion visionary
with advanced creative energies and a refreshing positive outlook. Dr. Sloan's broad
professional impact reflects highly on Southeastern and indicates all that is good
about our Master's training program.
2013 - Rosalind Bello
Rosalind Bello completed the MA in Health Studies from Southeastern in 2001, and immediately embarked on an impressive career as a key health promotion professional and public health administrator working for a healthier Louisiana and nation. Her career has focused on public health initiatives supporting education and treatment of HIV/AIDS, sexuality issues, tobacco, and cancer prevention. Her career stops included serving as manager of the Baton Rouge Health Center (Planned Parenthood), and coordinator of the Mississippi Urban Research Center at Jackson State University). For several years, she worked for Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL), rising to serving as director. At TFL, she oversaw a 9-million-dollar annual budget and coordinated statewide tobacco control programming. At the time of this award, Ms Bello was Program Director of the Office of Health Policy at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
2012 - Valerie Altazin
Valerie Altazin completed an undergraduate degree at Southeastern in Health and Physical
Education followed by a master's degree and certification as an Adapted Physical Education
teacher. She has worked in area school systems for over 30 years, serving as Health
and Physical Education teacher, Adapted Physical Education teacher, and most recently
as coordinator of the East Baton Rouge system's Adapted Physical Education program.
Valerie has engaged in service to the special Olympics and the Louisiana Association
for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (LAHPERD) organization, and has
been significantly involved in the development of assessments and curricula for the
Louisiana State Department of Education.
Her work has been recognized by her peers, evidenced by her receiving the Ellen Gilletine
Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award in 2008. She is a vocal advocate
for Southeastern and the Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies.
2011 - Kenneth Jenkins
Ken Jenkins is a dual graduate of Southeastern, receiving an undergraduate degree
in Health and Physical Education in 1966, and a master's degree in Educational Administration
in 1969.
He has a long distinguished career in the East Baton Rouge Parish School system as
a teacher, coach, assistant principal and supervisor. He served many years as the
system's Supervisor of Health, Physical Education, Driver Education and Athletics,
and at the time of this award was the system Director of Student Activities.
Jenkins was named the Louisiana Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
in 1985, received the Educational Merit Award from the Louisiana Tennis Association
in 2001, and was honored as the Outstanding Athletic Director in the state in 2001
by the Louisiana High School Athletic Director's Association.
2010 - Reggie Stone
Reggie Stone received an undergraduate degree with a double major in Athletic Training
and Exercise Science from Linfield College in Oregon, and his master's degree in Health
and Kinesiology from Southeastern Louisiana University.
At the time of this award, he was employed as an Athletic Trainer with the New Orleans
Saints, where he worked since 2002. He has extensive work experience at an Athletic
Trainer that includes the NFL, the New Orleans Voodoo Arena Football Team, and Ochsner
Sports Medicine.
He is certified by the National Athletic Training Association Board of Certification
and is an active member of the NATA and Louisiana ATA.
2009 - Mary Martin Nordness
Mary Martin Nordness earned a BS in Nutrition from the University of Alabama-Birmingham
in 1989 and a MA in Health and Kinesiology from Southeastern in 2001. She is a Registered
Dietitian as well as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).
At the time of this award, she served as the Director of Nutrition Communications
for the Southeast Dairy Association, a post that includes creating nutrition education
resources, coordinating the association's nutrition affairs program, and serving as
a media contact for the organization
Prior to her current position, Mrs Nordness was employed by the Baton Rouge General
Health System as Chief Clinical Dietitian, and Coordinator of Community Wellness.
In addition to this award, she was one tabbed as an Ambassador of the National Dairy
Council and named to the National Dairy Council's Editorial Board.
2008 - Lisa Johnson
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.
2007 - Dee Jacobsen
Dee Jacobsen completed the BA in Health, Physical Education, and Safety at Southeastern,
followed by the MEd in Physical Education from the University of New Orleans, and
the PhD in Human Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi.
She was an accomplished student-athlete in college, playing both basketball and volleyball.
For several years she taught, coached, and served as Assistant Principal and Athletic
Director at Archbishop Chapelle High School in New Orleans, then returned to Southeastern
as an instructor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies.
At the time of this award, she was making the transition to LSU in Baton Rouge where
she took a faculty position in their Department of Kinesiology. Dee was an outstanding
faculty member recognized for her teaching, advising, and service. In addition to
this award, she received the Excellence in Service Award by the KHS Department in
2001, and the Pathfinder Award by the National Association for Girls and Women in
Sport in 1998.
2006 - Al Link
Albert “Al” Link received an undergraduate and masters degree in Health, Physical
Education, and Recreation from Southeastern Louisiana University and also completed
certification in Educational Administration and Supervision.
He served the Hammond community and the Tangipahoa Parish School system for over 30
years working as teacher, coach, and administrator, including a 6-year stint as Principal
of Hammond High School.
Upon his retirement, he continued his association with the area's education as a member
of the Tangipahoa Parish School Board.
Mr. Link is also recognized for his work in sports officiating, particularly basketball.
He was instrumental in the formation of the first organization of basketball officials
for women's high schools and colleges, supervised women's basketball officials for
the Southeastern Conference, American South Conference, and Sun Belt Conference, and
served as Chair of the National Board of Women's Basketball Supervisors. In 1997 he
was named Citizen of the Year by the Hammond Daily Star newspaper.
2005 - Tammy Louk Swindle
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.
2003 - Michael Berry
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 - W. Leroy Fanning
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.
