Mary Katherine Vass

Mary Katherine (Martin) Vass graduated from Winthrop College with a B.S. in physical education in 1958.  While at Winthrop she was a member of the Winthrop College choir, president of the Sophomore class, treasurer of the WRA and a Junior Marshal.  In her senior year, she was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

Mrs. Vass began her career as a physical therapist in 1961 following her graduation from Duke University School of Medicine with a certificate in Physical Therapy. As a hospital physical therapist, her experience spanned forty years, with 27 years at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte.  At Presbyterian, she managed the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation department.  In May of 1990, Mary Katherine planned the space, selected equipment, and coordinated all systems for the opening of the outpatient Physical Therapy Department at Presbyterian Medical Tower. In 1996, she received certification in the Leduc Method of treating lymphedema and an outpatient lymphedema clinic was opened as part of the Presbyterian’s Cancer Center.  She retired from Presbyterian in 2000.

She is a lifetime member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the North Carolina Physical Therapy Association.  She has served in several leadership roles for the NC Physical Therapy Association and in 1974 she was appointed to the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.  In 1996, the North Carolina Physical Therapy Association presented her with the Olive V. Wortman Service Award and acknowledge her many years of service to the profession by stating  “Mary Katherine exemplifies the best that physical therapy has to offer. Through commitment and service to the NCPAR she has enthusiastically sought better ways to enhance the ethics of our profession... She challenges others to do their best—always pushing them to champion the cause of those in need of our professional services.”

Mary Katherine was born into a Winthrop family in Columbia, S.C.  Her mother, Laura Rhodes (class ‘20), was active in the Columbia Chapter of Winthrop Daughters.  Two of her three sisters graduated from Winthrop College—Laura Martin Jones (class of ‘44) and Anne Martin Dempsey (class of ‘50).  Another sister, Ludie Ervin, graduated from the University of South Carolina. 

It is my great pleasure that we, the current faculty and staff, welcome Mary Katherine Martin Vass as a member of the Class of 2008 Distinguished Alumni.

Judith Royce Johnson

Dr. Judy Johnson graduated from Winthrop College in 1963 with a B.S. in physical education. She immediately began her graduate work at the University of Iowa completing a M.A. degree in physical education in 1967.  In 1969, she enrolled in the Ph.D. program in physical education with a specialization in motor learning/control at the University of Illinois at Champaign.  She completed her PhD. in 1974.

Judy Johnson began her teaching career at Wade Hampton High School in Greenville, S.C. in 1963.  She moved to Coker College as an assistant professor in 1965 and remained at Coker until 1969.  In 1972, she began her teaching career at Longwood College, where she was an associate professor and former chair of the Department. During 2004-05, she served as interim dean of the College of Education and Human Services and in 2003-04 she was associate dean of the College of Education and Human Services.  In 1998, she received the Mari Bristow Starke Faculty Excellence Award of Professional Excellence and Devotion to Students.

In July of 2005, Dr. Johnson retired from Longwood University and was recognized by the faculty, students and staff of the College of Education and Human Services for her “Exemplary professional contributions, personal commitment and tireless work ethic.”  The Longwood University Board of Visitors named her a Distinguished Professor in July 2005.  This is the highest honor to be bestowed upon a faculty member; only six individuals have received this title from the Board of Visitors. 

Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Johnson has served in a number of roles. She coached at every level and almost every sport, but spent the majority of her time coaching volleyball, basketball, field hockey, and gymnastics.  For 15 years she was a nationally rated volleyball official.  In addition to her coaching and officiating, Judy Johnson conducted numerous workshops and swim clinics in adapted aquatics. 

Her professional services include serving as President of Virginia AHPERD, chairing the Volleyball Lynchburg Board of Officials, serving on the Southern District Steering Committee and the National Association for Physical Education in Higher Education Program Committee.  She has made numerous presentations at the national, state and local levels, published in peer reviewed journals, and was an active and productive researcher throughout her career.

It is my great pleasure that we, the current faculty and staff, welcome Judy R. Johnson as a member of the Class of 2008 Distinguished Alumni

Jean Elizabeth Dawson

Jean E. Dawson graduated from Winthrop College with a B.S. in health/physical education in 1973. Upon graduation, she began her teaching career as an orthopedic teacher at Abbeville County School District from 1974-1976. During this time she was involved in the preparation and participation in the Special Olympics of South and North Carolina.  She moved from Abbeville to Dixie High School as a teacher of health and physical education along with coaching duties.  While coaching at Dixie, her team won the state volleyball championship along with four upperstate and five conference championships. She was named Conference 1-A “Coach of the Year” in volleyball and softball.  In her spare time, she coached a successful women’s basketball team.  While at Dixie High School, she completed her M.S. in physical education at University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

In 1983 Ms. Dawson left Dixie High School to take the position of Assistant Professor of Health and Physical Education at Erskine College.   She left Erskine to pursue a graduate degree from Georgia State University, which she completed in 1989.  In 1989, she was named assistant professor at DeKalb College, where she continues to teach and serve as an associate professor and the assistant department chair at what is now Georgia Perimeter College. She has won numerous awards including being named Health Educator of the Year by Southern District AAHPERD, Georgia Health Educator of the Year, and Teacher of the Year by Abbeville County School District. She has made numerous presentations at the state, district, and national levels.  She remains active in the profession.

While at Winthrop, Ms. Dawson played volleyball for three years, basketball, field hockey, and tennis for one year.  She was chosen to run the High School Play Day during her junior year and served as president of the Student Section of SCAHPERD.  While president of the Student Section, she helped organize a student convention at Myrtle Beach under the guidance of Drs. Bobb, Griffin, Taylor and Ford.  She lived for four years in Bancroft Hall where it was a 30 second walk or a 15 second “break neck” speed trip to Peabody. 

Jean Dawson is an avid golfer and more importantly a good golfer.  She was invited to participate in the Top 60 Georgia Women’s Amateur Golf Tournament and won the Georgia Women’s Golf Amateur Tournament (Four Ball) with Sue Schoeder in 2001.

It is my great pleasure that we, the current faculty and staff, welcome Jean E. Dawson as a member of the Class of 2008 Distinguished Alumni.

Joseph L. Eason

Joe Easton graduated from Winthrop University with a B.S. in physical education with a concentration in teacher certification in 1985. While at Winthrop he was active in Sigma Gamma Nu and served as a student senator during his junior year.

Although he never used his teacher certification, he has provided leadership through his work in public and private recreation.  He began his career in 1986 as youth sport director at the Rock Hill YMCA moving to fitness Director in 1988.  He remained with the YMCA in Rock Hill until 1990, when he joined the City of Rock Hill Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department.  From 1990 until 1995, he served as athletics supervisor and in 1995 moved to park supervisor for Cherry Park.  In this role he directed athletic programs at the Park and supervised operations and marketed the facility on the state, regional, and national levels.  In 1998 he moved to Florence County Parks and Recreation as director.

Joe Eason is known not only for his leadership in public recreation, but for his civic involvement.  He has served as a S.C. Rural Recreation Mentor, completed a term as President of the S.C.  Parks and Recreation Association (2002),  and served as a board member for Florence County Disabilities Foundation and S.C. Parks and Recreation Association.  He is active in the  Young Life of Florence Association, South Carolina Football Officials’ Association, and coaches youth softball.

The South Carolina Special Olympics honored Mr. Eason in 1994 as the Outstanding Volunteer Coach.  In 2003, he developed and implemented South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association Leadership Enhancement and Development Institute.  The program has mentored in excess of 30 graduates, who will serve as future leaders in the Association.  In 2006, Joe Eason was named S.C. Recreation and Parks Association Professional of the Year in recognition of his years of service and leadership to the profession.

On a personal note, Joe is married to Annette and has three daughters.  Morgan is 15 and Hannah and Emma are 10.  I am sure we are saving a place for all three girls at Winthrop!

It is my great pleasure that we, the current faculty and staff, welcome Joseph  Lawrence Eason as a member of the Class of 2008 Distinguished Alumni.