2014 Hall of Fame Inductees

Patricia Anderson 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 2014.

A three-time graduate of West Virginia University, Anderson earned a Bachelor of Science in 1969, a Master of Science in 1972, and a Master of Arts in 1986. She spent her career in the Albert Gallatin Area School District in western Pennsylvania, where she made an impact as an educator, coach, administrator and advocate for women's athletics.

Pamela Balch 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 Education and Human Services Hall of Fame in 2014 and was named the College’s Distinguished Alumna that same year.

After earning her bachelor's degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College, Balch earned her master’s and doctoral degrees from West Virginia University and completed postdoctoral work through two Harvard University programs. She began her career in teacher education at WVWC and later held senior academic leadership positions across public and private institutions, including Associate Dean at San Diego State University’s Imperial Valley Campus, Vice Provost for Academic Planning at California State University, Chico, and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Bethany College.

Mary Ellen Burris 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 Education and Human Services Hall of Fame in 2014.

A native of West Virginia, Burris earned a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University in 1955 and a master’s degree in educational psychology from the University of Rochester. She began her career as a teacher and Cooperative Extension agent in New Jersey and New York and, for Cornell University, co-authored and co-hosted the award-winning educational television series Be A Better Shopper with consumer economist Heinz Biesdorf.

Steven Cole 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 2014.

Cole earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a concentration in athletic training from West Virginia University in 1976 and a Master of Education in Sports Medicine with a concentration in athletic training from the University of Virginia in 1978.

Joe Evans 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 Education and Human Services Hall of Fame in 2014.

Evans earned a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from West Virginia University in 1976. Beginning in 1970, he served at Glenville State College as a professor of physical science, preparing pre-service teachers for elementary and secondary classrooms and mentoring students for science-related careers. His teaching included extensive field-based learning through weekend workshops and field trips in the Glenville region with an emphasis on biological and environmental studies.

Jean Irion 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 2014 and was named the College’s Outstanding Alumna in 2017.

Irion earned a Bachelor of Science from West Virginia University in 1979 in physical education, general science education, and athletic training. She later completed a Bachelor of Science in physical therapy and a Master of Education in physical education with a concentration in athletic training from Temple University, and a Doctor of Education in higher education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Donald P. Lauda 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 Education and Human Services Hall of Fame in 2014.

Lauda came to West Virginia University as a post-doctoral student in 1969–70, supported by a federal grant in the Technology Education Department. He returned in 1973 as professor and chairperson of the department, where he became a national leader in advancing technology-based industrial arts programs in public schools. His influence extended to service on the Board of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and leadership as president of both the American Council of Industrial Arts Teacher Education and the International Technology Education Association.

Thomas P. Lombardi 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 Education and Human Services Hall of Fame in 2014.

Lombardi joined the faculty of West Virginia University in 1971, serving in the Department of Special Education until his retirement in 2010. He was instrumental in expanding special education at WVU, helping to develop the state’s certification requirements for teaching students with specific learning disabilities. He also wrote and directed the Dean’s Grant, a federally funded initiative that laid the groundwork for special education curricula used for years by the Benedum Collaborative Five-Year Teacher Education Program.

Kathryn Cottrill Vecellio 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 Education and Human Services Hall of Fame in 2014.

A native of West Virginia, Vecellio earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and Secondary Education from West Virginia University in 1971 and a Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling in 1972. She served for two decades on the Visiting Committee for the College of Education and Human Services and established multiple scholarships and endowments supporting WVU students and programs.

Daniel Zottarelli 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 2014.

A native of Westbury, N.Y., Zottarelli graduated from West Virginia University in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science in health and physical education and earned a varsity letter in wrestling under coach George Nedeff. He began his coaching career in Morgantown, where he guided a state champion at University High School, then moved to Kent County High School in Worton, Md., where he founded the wrestling program and the Kent County Junior Wrestling League.