2008 Alumni Awardees
Distinguished Alumni Award
Steven Danish
Steven Danish, Ph.D. is a well-respected and much-appreciated psychologist. During his 40-year career, Dr. Danish has published more than 18 books and monographs and has contributed 94 chapters and articles in reputable journals.
Dr. Danish is a 1969 graduate of Michigan State University’s College of Education, earning his doctorate in counseling psychology. He received his bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pa. and his master’s degree from Springfield College, Springfield, Mass.
A lead researcher in his field, Dr. Danish’s work has been funded by more than $4 million. His research has resulted in programs that have especially inspired children and at-risk adolescents. Currently, Dr. Danish directs Virginia Commonwealth University’s Life Skills Center and its counseling psychology doctoral program. An exceptional mentor and leader, Dr. Danish teaches graduate students how to develop, evaluate and implement programs that teach life skills to young people. Dr. Danish is a highly successful educator, as evidenced by his life skills program Going for the Goal, which earned him the National Mental Health Association’s Lela Rowland Prevention Award.
Dr. Danish is equally as passionate about addressing the needs of war veterans. He is the founder and director of the FREE 4 VETS program, which grants free services to war veterans while also providing training to meet their needs.
As a sport psychologist, Dr. Danish has fostered in athletes the ability and desire to teach. Under his guidance, countless athletes have become educators, teaching their students responsibility and life lessons through sport.
Adding to his credibility as an expert in the field are Dr. Danish’s many professional passions. For example, he is a registered sport psychologist for the Sports Medicine Division of the United States Olympic Committee and in the late 1980s he was appointed – and reappointed – to the Virginia Governor’s Commission on Sport and Physical Fitness.
In addition, Dr. Danish has participated in the editorial boards of three major industry publications and he is an ad hoc reviewer for the National Institutes of Health.
Because of outstanding contributions such as these, in 2007, Dr. Danish received The Society of Counseling Psychology Lifetime Achievement Award for Prevention and he was named a fellow of three divisions of the American Psychological Association and a fellow of the American Psychological Society.
Distinguished Alumni Award
Van Mueller
Since 1971, Van. D. Mueller, Ph.D., has been inspiring students and colleagues alike at the University of Minnesota. He achieved emeritus status in 1997, having served as chair of the university’s Department of Educational Policy and Administration from 1972 to 1981.
During his tenure, Dr. Mueller has advised more than 150 doctoral students. In fact, because of his expertise in the field of education finance, four of his advisees were recognized for outstanding dissertation research by the American Education Finance Association, an organization he co-founded.
Dr. Mueller has become a nationally known and respected expert on education finance – and Michigan is where his career began.
In 1964, Dr. Mueller earned his doctorate in educational administration from MSU. And, in 1980, he was named the MSU Department of Educational Administration and Higher Education’s Distinguished Alumnus. Dr. Mueller received his bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and his master’s degree from the University of Michigan.
While attending graduate school, Dr. Mueller served as a high school principal and as superintendent of Ashley, Mich. and Ithaca, Mich. school districts. Understanding the importance of teamwork in education, Dr. Mueller has been actively involved with the National PTA. He has served as its vice president and treasurer, and he is the past president of the Minnesota PTA.
Dr. Mueller’s career has also been marked by distinguished positions within state government. He directed a series of finance studies while working for the Minnesota Planning Agency and he headed a Governor’s Task Force in Human Resource Planning. In addition to representing Minnesota to the Education Commission of the States, Dr. Mueller has chaired two State Department of Education Task Forces on School Finance.
Since 1978, Dr. Mueller has served as coordinator of the Institute for Educational Leadership’s Minnesota site of the Education Policy Fellowship Program, a role in which he has overseen the development and growth of more than 300 fellows. Dr. Mueller has published more than 100 articles and chapters and he sits on the Journal of Education Finance’s Board of Editors.
A Michigan native, and a Minnesota legend, Dr. Mueller has inspired parents, colleagues and national experts with his commitment to educational quality and accountability.
Outstanding Alumni K-12 Teacher Award
Tom Kelly
From mobile planetariums to nature hikes to in-classroom reptile displays, Tom Kelly knows how to have fun. When he calls a student at home, who has achieved the title of “super scientist,” it’s a big deal. Each and every day, Tom Kelly, who is a science specialist for Grandville Public Schools in Grandville, Mich., takes learning to a new level.
Mr. Kelly is a 1987 College of Education graduate, receiving his master’s in science education. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University. Since 1985, he has been teaching a science lab class for first- through fifth-graders.
Parents and colleagues appreciate Mr. Kelly’s gift of balancing professionalism and fun. And his inspiring nature, coupled with his enthusiasm for learning, sets him apart from the rest. A natural leader, Mr. Kelly has taught a summer science program for first- through sixth-graders and for the past five years he has organized the annual “Bike Trip to the Zoo.”
Mr. Kelly always goes and above and beyond what is expected. For example, he is the past vice president of the Michigan Science Teachers Association and he sits on the John Ball Zoo Teacher Advisory Board.
Equally as passionate about improving education, Mr. Kelly has mentored other science educators through his involvement as a national trainer for Activities Integrating Math and Science (AIMS). He is actively involved with Grand Valley State University’s (GVSU) science education program, where more than 500 teacher education students have observed his teaching. At GVSU, Mr. Kelly served as a biology instructor and research associate for a National Science Foundation initiative to improve science education.
Within the community, Mr. Kelly is a much-loved educator. He teaches survival and treasure hunting summer courses through the community education program. Since 1997, Mr. Kelly has been the DataStreme local instructional leader, teaching 12-week graduate courses sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the American Meteorological Society. And he is a former member of the American Meteorological Society’s Board of Directors.
Because of Mr. Kelly’ long standing commitment to science education, in 1992 he received the national Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching. And in 1987, Grandville Public Schools named Mr. Kelly its Teacher of the Year.
Outstanding Alumni K-12 Administrator Award
Peter Gorman
As superintendent of North Carolina’s largest school district, Peter C. Gorman, Ed.D., has made quite the impression. He leads Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s 157 schools, its 138,000 students and its 18,500 staff members. A true change agent, Dr. Gorman’s immediate attention to improvement has resulted in increased student performance in the areas of biology, history, civics and economics.
Dr. Gorman received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from MSU, followed by a master’s degree and a doctorate from University of Central Florida. He sits on the MSU College of Education’s Dean’s Advisory Board.
Shortly after arriving at Charlotte-Mecklenburg in July 2006, Dr. Gorman created the Achievement Zone, which provides extra resources to 11 low-performing schools. He has rallied support to improve all schools within the district, as evidenced by the passing of a $500 million construction bond – an initiative that failed in past attempts.
Dr. Gorman’s visionary thinking resulted in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Strategic Plan 2010, which calls for academic accountability and excellence. With transparency and fiscal responsibility at the root of his administration, Dr. Gorman has built the trust of parents and teachers, which has resulted in a dramatic change in thought and improved morale.
With a strong demand for excellence, Dr. Gorman is a leader in the finest sense. Before arriving at Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Dr. Gorman served five years as superintendent of Tustin Unified School District, Tustin, Calif. Thanks to Dr. Gorman’s dedication to school improvement and his ability to foster community support, the district experienced its first-ever successful bond general election, which resulted in $108 million for school improvements.
Dr. Gorman is a pillar within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community, which inspired Leadership Charlotte’s 2007 Newcomer of the Year Award. Additionally, in 2007, the Public Relations Society of America presented Gorman with its Pegasus Award, which is given to an individual – outside the public relations profession – who demonstrates superior knowledge and use of public relations to foster improved community relations. As an example, Dr. Gorman regularly contributes columns to The Charlotte Observer, The Charlotte Weekly and the Charlotte Parents.
