2001 Alumni Awardees
Outstanding Alumni K-12 Administrator Award
Janet H. JopkeJanet H. Jopke is superintendent of the Troy School District. During her long career as a teacher and administrator, Dr. Jopke has amassed a distinguished record of achievement and leadership.
She began her career as an elementary teacher in Bay City after receiving her bachelor's degree from MSU in 1965. In 1971, she joined the Utica Community Schools as a reading consultant and rose through ranks over the next 18 years. She left the Utica Community Schools in St. Clair Shores, and assumed her present position in 1993. Her achievements include developing a latch key program that became a state model, the creation of Begindergarten, a developmental kindergarten program, and spearheading voter approval of a $72 million school millage in Troy that brought cutting-edge technology to the district. Under her leadership, the district has continued its tradition of high achievement. The district consistently ranks in the top 10 in the state in Michigan educational Assessment Program test scores. Its two high schools, Athens and Troy, were selected as Outstanding High Schools by U.S. News and World Report. In addition, the Troy School District is one of the largest feeder districts to MSU with 132 June 2000 graduates enrolled in the university.
She received a master's degree from Oakland University in 1971, and educational specialist and doctoral degrees from Wayne State University in 1980 and 1984, respectively.
Outstanding Alumni K-12 Teacher
Sandra GertzSandra Gertz has spent the past 28 years as a teacher in her hometown of Ironwood in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. A gifted and committed educator, Ms. Gertz has taught generations of children at Ironwood Elementary School and has inspired them through her grace and leadership and the inclusion of the arts in her classrooms.
Ms. Gertz began her teaching career at Ironwood soon after receiving her bachelor's degree from MSU in 1972. She has taught first grade for 21 years, and has also has taught kindergarten, second, third, and fourth grade. Among her many innovative teaching projects during her distinguished career include the Lake Superior Circle Study Tour in which she circled Lake Superior with 37 of students and teachers in order to learn about the geography of the area and communities that surround the lake. She has also been actively involved in theatre, performing in more than 40 plays and directing four of them. Over the years, she has incorporated elements of theater in her classes to inspire students and instill self-esteem. To those who know and work with her, Ms. Gertz is an outstanding educator who has had a powerful impact on her students by broadening their dreams and inspiring them to a life of learning.
In addition to her MSU degree, Ms. Gertz received a master's degree from Northern Michigan University in 1978.
Kinesiology Professional Achievement Award
Jean C. NethertonJean C. Netherton is provost emeritus of the Alexandria campus of Northern Virginia Community College. As provost from 1976 to 1992, she was the chief administrative and academic officer of the 10,000-student college.
A cum laude graduate of the University of Arkansas in 1953, Dr. Netherton went on to earn a master's degree in physical education from the University of Illinois in 1955 and a Ph.D. in physical education, communications and instructional technology from MSU in 1966. She came to MSU in 1955 to teach in the undergraduate physical education program, and remained at the university until 1967. Her many achievements included implementing a major instructional program involving the planning and development of two courses using instructional television. She also advised the student section of the state Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation. In 1967, she joined the faculty at the University of Maryland, and in 1968 she became an associate professor at Northern Virginia Community College.
