2007 Hall of Fame Inductees

Debra Berkey 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 2007.

Berkey earned a master’s degree in physical education and motor development and a doctorate in professional preparation, pedagogy, and behavior analysis from West Virginia University.

James Bialek 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 2007.

Bialek earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Davis & Elkins College in 1974 and a Master of Science degree in physical education from West Virginia University. While pursuing his graduate degree, he served as a graduate teaching assistant and as an assistant baseball coach at WVU from 1975 to 1977.

Albert Blatnik 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 2007.

Susan Hardesty 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 2007.

Hardesty earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from WVU in 1967 and a master’s in special education from in 1974. Her career included 16 years of teaching music and special education in England, Massachusetts, and West Virginia, followed by work as an educational diagnostician in Jackson County. In 1988, she co-founded Read Aloud West Virginia in Jackson County, a program that later expanded statewide.

Melanie Kerber 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 2007.

Joanna Nesselroad 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 2007.

Nesselroad earned a Bachelor of Science in home economics from West Virginia University in 1946 and a Master of Science in 1955. She completed additional studies at the University of Tennessee, Penn State University, and New York University, as well as at the Britain Infant Schools and Paget Applied Research Institute in London. She earned her Ed.D. in education from WVU in 1978.

William Tancred 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 2007.

An accomplished international athlete, Tancred represented Great Britain 55 times in discus and shot put from 1964 to 1976. He competed in the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games and won medals in the Commonwealth Games, taking bronze in 1970 and silver in 1974. He was the first British discus thrower to surpass 200 feet and held the British record for 25 years with a throw of 64.94 meters.