Mentoring the first Troy University student to receive a Ph.D. Changing systems to improve communication skills of children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Using theater and creative writing to improve literacy in junior high school. This is some of the work being done by three University of Arkansas alumni award winners.

The College of Education and Health Professions will honor Gi-Yong (Win) Koo, Patti Freemyer Martin and Martha Sandven for significant achievements in their careers during commencement exercises May 12 at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

Michael Miller, dean of the College of Education and Health Professions, and the college's Alumni Awards Committee chose the award recipients. Feature articles on each of the winners are linked below.

Win Koo, winner of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award, is an associate professor at Troy University in Alabama who coordinates the Doctor of Philosophy degree program in sport management. He received his doctorate in recreation and sport management from the U of A.

Patti Freemyer Martin, winner of the Outstanding Alumni Award in Health and Human Services, directs Ambulatory Care Services at Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock. She earned a bachelor's degree in communication disorders from the U of A and other degrees, including a doctorate, from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the U of A.

Martha Sandven, winner of the Outstanding Alumni Award in Education, teaches pre-AP English and English/Language Arts at Ramay Junior High School in Fayetteville. She earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from the U of A.