2018 Hall of Fame Inductees

Elizabeth A. Dooley 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 2018.

A native of Fairmont, W.Va., Dooley earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education from Alderson Broaddus College in 1979, a master’s degree in special education from West Virginia University in 1986, and a doctorate in special education with a minor in higher education administration from WVU in 1989.

Daniel E. Hursh 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 2018.

A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Hursh was raised in Corvallis, Ore., and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Oregon, followed by a master’s degree in human development and a doctorate in developmental and child psychology from the University of Kansas.

Victoria J. Risko 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 2018 and was named the College’s Distinguished Alumna that same year.

A native of Pennsylvania, Risko earned a bachelor’s degree in English and elementary education from the University of Pittsburgh, followed by both a master’s degree and a doctorate in reading and literacy education from West Virginia University.

Tracy Schoenadel 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 2018.

A native of West Virginia, Schoenadel earned her degree in sport management from West Virginia University, where she worked for nine years in the WVU football office assisting Coach Don Nehlen and Recruiting Coordinator Donnie Young with administrative duties in recruiting and eligibility. She also served as president of the undergraduate student club in the School of Physical Education and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

David Taylor 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 2018.

Taylor earned a Bachelor of Science in physical education with a minor in athletic training from West Virginia University in 1996. A distinguished military graduate of WVU Army ROTC in 1997, he was commissioned as an infantry officer and went on to serve 24 years in the United States Army, including most of his career in special operations forces.

Deborah “Debbie” Thorpe 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 2018.

Thorpe earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education (1979) and her master’s degree in motor development and motor learning (1983) from West Virginia University. She taught elementary school for six years at North Elementary in Morgantown before pursuing additional training in physical therapy, earning her degree from the University of New England in 1988. She later received a doctorate in developmental and child psychology from the Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University in 1998.

Richard “Rick” Tucci 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 2018.

A native of Toms River, N.J., Tucci wrestled four years at West Virginia University under Coach Steve Harrick, earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education and biology in 1966 and a master’s degree in physical education in 1967. He also served as a graduate assistant coach during his final year.

Barbara “Bobbie” Gibson Warash 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 2018.

Warash earned her undergraduate and doctoral degrees from West Virginia University and a master’s degree from Florida State University. Early in her career, she served as education director at North Central West Virginia Head Start before joining the WVU faculty.