2005 Hall of Fame Inductees

Beverly Bieniek was recognized as an Outstanding Alumna by the College of Education and Human Services in 2005.

Bieniek has worked as a special education teacher and consultant in public schools in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, as well as for the Kentucky Department of Education. She later served as Director of Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services for the Laurel Highlands School District in Uniontown, Pa.

Donald R. Cotten was inducted into the College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. He was previously inducted into the College of Education and Human Services Hall of Fame in 2005.

Cotten earned his doctorate in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in science education from West Virginia University in 1976. He also received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he studied biological sciences and science education.

Carol E. Eckman was inducted into the College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. She was previously inducted into the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Hall of Fame in 2005.

Eckman, often referred to as the “mother of the women’s collegiate basketball championship,” earned her doctoral degree in physical education from West Virginia University in 1983. A native of Berlin, Pa., she began her coaching and teaching career after graduating from Lock Haven State College, where she was a multi-sport athlete.

Barbara Judy was inducted into the College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. She was previously recognized as an Outstanding Alumna by the College of Education and Human Services in 2005.

Judy served as the Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator for the state of West Virginia and was a longtime president and chair of the board for the National Association of ADA Coordinators. She played a critical role in the creation and national recognition of the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) at West Virginia University, a pioneering service that provides consultation to employers on workplace accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

Michael Krak was inducted into the inaugural College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. He was previously inducted into the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Hall of Fame in 2005.

A native of Weirton, W.V.a, Krak played golf at West Virginia University from 1944-48 and served as team captain his final two seasons. In 1947, he leProfed the Mountaineers to a 12–0 match play record and an NCAA regional appearance, the first postseason bid in program history. He graduated from WVU in 1948 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education.

Robert C. “Bob” LaLance, Jr. was inducted into the inaugural College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. He was previously inducted into the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Hall of Fame in 2005.

William G. Monahan was inducted into the College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. He was previously inducted into the College of Education and Human Services Hall of Fame in 2005.

Monahan served as dean of the College of Human Resources and Education at West Virginia University for a decade, where he formalized the promotion and tenure process, established the HR&E Alumni Association, and helped launch the college’s teacher education preparation program. He also played a key role in renewing ties with the West Virginia Department of Education and in developing a cooperative doctoral program in Education Leadership Studies with Marshall University.

Beth E. Musser was inducted into the College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. She was previously inducted into the College of Education and Human Services Hall of Fame in 2005.

Musser earned her bachelor’s degree from Lycoming College in 1966, followed by a master’s degree in reading and language arts from West Virginia University in 1970. She completed a Ph.D. in language communication and child development from the University of Pittsburgh in 1981.

Mary O. Wykle was inducted into the inaugural College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. She was previously inducted into the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Hall of Fame in 2005.

Wykle earned both her bachelor’s (1965) and master’s (1966) degrees in health and physical education from West Virginia University. She built a distinguished career in aquatics education, wellness, and military training support through decades of teaching and service.

Kathleen Hawk Sawyer was inducted into the College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. She was previously inducted into the College of Education and Human Services Hall of Fame in 2005.

Sawyer earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wheeling Jesuit College and completed both her master’s (1973) and doctoral (1978) degrees in counseling and rehabilitation at West Virginia University.