J. Joe Evans

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.

At the state level, Evans contributed for decades to science education policy and practice. In the 1970s he served on the West Virginia Department of Education Science Committee, helping develop physics and chemistry essentials and advancing inquiry and problem–solving–based instruction. He played a key role in creating and evaluating state science standards and guided statewide chemical-safety workshops for middle and high school science teachers. He later served on the leadership team for West Virginia’s adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards. Evans also supported graduate education by serving on WVU doctoral committees in science education.

His honors include the Curtis Elam Professor of Teaching Excellence award at Glenville State College, recognizing his sustained contributions to teaching and teacher preparation.