2007 Inductees

Tony Baker
BS - Recreation, 1993

Tony is currently the Operations Manager at C.A. Vines 4-H Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Joan Brewer
BSE - Mathematics, 1991
MS - Health, Physical Education, & Recreation, 1994

Brewer first came to ESU as a student, earning both her bachelor's degree in education graduating with two majors - physical education with a coaching emphasis and mathematics with certification in computer science. She was a teacher and coach at Northern Heights High School in north Lyon County for two years before returning to ESU for a master's degree. Upon completing her master's degree, she taught and coached volleyball at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina. She was at KWU from 1994 to 1999. In August 2001, Brewer earned a doctorate from Kansas State University in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in educational computing, design and telecommunications. Brewer's tenure at ESU began in January 2001 as an adjunct instructor in HPER. She became an assistant professor in 2001 and an associate professor in 2007 before serving as interim chair.

Gerald Christensen
BSE - Physical Education, 1959
MS - Physical Education, 1964

The longtime coach of the Topeka-based Thunderbolt Track Club, Christensen also runs the computer lab at Lowman Hill Elementary School in Topeka. He began his teaching career in 1960, teaching science and coaching the basketball and baseball teams. He became the director of physical education in Norton before moving in the mid-1960s to Topeka to work for the Kansas Department of Education. He served as a civil defense educator, director of school safety services and director of driver and trafficway education before retiring from the education department in 1969.

Marilyn Denise Hodges
BSE - Physical Education, 1981
MS - Health, Physical Education, & Recreation, 2008

Denise has been involved with aquatic instruction for 35 years.

Sherry Nelson
BSE - Physical Education, 1979
MS - Counselor Education, 1995

Sherry is a longtime staff member at Emporia High School and is currently the Chair of the Physical Education Department.