The College of Education and Human Development is pleased to announce the 2008 Alumni Achievement Award recipients. These recipients will be honored at a dinner on March 14, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Grand Forks, with a social at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:45. The recipients are:

Dr. Mavis Kelley (posthumously), '81, '87, '92 – Teaching and Learning

Jerry Wenzel, '91 – Teaching and Learning

Dr. Gary Forrest, '70 – Counseling Psychology and Community Services

Dr. Karen Gayton Comeau, '81 – Educational Leadership

Dr. Leander Russell McDonald, '98, '00, '03 – Educational Foundations and Research

Debbie Thompson, '87 – Social Work

Tickets are $12. To order tickets, or if you would like to send a note of congratulations to any of the awardees, please contact Jena Pierce by March 7, at (701) 777-0844, jena_pierce@und.edu or send payment to 231 Centennial Drive, Grand Forks, ND 58202.

Dr. Mavis Kelley (posthumously) – Teaching and Learning

Mavis Kelley felt that her calling as an educator could best be accomplished as a middle school math teacher. She taught at Valley Middle School in Grand Forks for five years where she devised curriculum such as interdisciplinary units, promoted differentiated instruction through workshops, and established the “No Name Calling Week.” Mavis received three degrees from UND including a bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1981 and a master's degree in elementary education in 1987. She received her doctorate in education in 1992 and became a mathematics educator in the Department of Teaching and Learning. She influenced hundreds of teacher candidates during her 9-year career at UND. Undoubtedly, the area in which Mavis is best known for was her commitment to her students. Her energy was always focused on her students, regarding both their academics and how she could empower them to be the best. In her own words, “Students are #1.” Mavis sadly passed away in March 2005.

Jerry Wenzel – Teaching and Learning

Jerry Wenzel was an award winning science educator in the East Grand Forks Middle School for over 35 years. He retired in June 2007. His authentic science lessons with students have been recognized numerous times with stories in the Grand Forks Herald. Jerry received a master's degree in education from UND in 1991. Jerry taught Science methods courses in the Department of Teaching and Learning to elementary and middle school science teachers for many years. Through modeling best science teaching practices, Jerry has educated countless elementary teachers and students about the art of science. He received the 1998 Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year, the 2000 Middle School Science Teacher of the Year from the Minnesota Science Teachers Association, and the 2001 Wal-Mart/Sam's Club Regional Teacher of the Year.

Dr. Gary Forrest – Counseling Psychology and Community Services

Gary Forrest is executive director for the Psychotherapy Associates P.C., licensed clinical psychologist, author, educator and national consultant, in Colorado Springs, Colo. He received a Ph.D. from UND in 1970 in counseling and guidance. Gary is a national expert in drug and alcohol addiction. He has published numerous books in the area of chemical dependency and personality disorders including, Alcoholism, Narcissism, and Psychopathology, How to Cope With a Teenage Drinker: Changing Adolescent Alcohol Abuse, and has made appearances on national television talking about addictions. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, the American Counseling Association, and the National Registry of Health Providers in Psychotherapy, Inc.

Dr. Karen Gayton Comeau – Educational Leadership

Karen Gayton Comeau (formerly Swisher) is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Dr. Comeau devoted her career to improving educational opportunities for American Indian/Alaska Native students. Trained as an elementary teacher and educational administrator at Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD, she earned a doctorate in educational administration from the University of North Dakota in 1981. In addition to serving as the chair of teacher education, chief academic officer, and president of Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas, Dr. Comeau has experience at Huron College in South Dakota, the University of Utah, and Arizona State University.

Dr. Leander Russell McDonald – Educational Foundations and Research

Dr. Leander Russ McDonald is an assistant professor at the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota (UND) School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Russ is the director for the National Resource Center on Native American Aging and for the Spirit Lake Tribe Planning Department. He received a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1998 and a master's degree in sociology in 2000 from UND. He earned a Ph.D. in teaching and learning from UND in 2003. At UND, he continues to work with colleagues to refine a national needs assessment process that has assisted more than 330 tribes in gathering local Native elder data. On the Spirit Lake Reservation, he has developed and implemented a community based qualitative process for identifying and prioritizing issues, strategic planning, and local capacity building.

Debbie Thompson – Social Work

Deb Thompson graduated from UND with a bachelor's degree in social work in 1987. Since graduation she has provided outstanding Social Work service to the Grand Forks community in her roles at the Grand Forks YMCA. She spent 13 years as the Child Care Director at the “Y” and since 2000 she has served as the President/CEO. Under Deb's leadership the YMCA provides comprehensive child care services, recreational, and a variety of other services to an average of 4500 members. She oversees the recruitment and development of 450 volunteers annually who help in the implementation of “Y” programs. As part of her professional commitment she is involved as a volunteer in many community services including: Mayor's Youth Cabinet; Board Co-Chairman for the Coalition for a Healthy Greater Grand Forks; Corporate Member of Altru Health System; board member at “The Answer”; and a board member of the “Association of YMCA Professionals Dakota Alliance,” just to name a few.