SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its All-Southern Conference Faculty and Staff Team on Thursday, with two representatives each from all 10 member schools being recognized by the league. Wofford's Dr. John Lefebvre and Tammie Burgess were among those honored.
While the selections were left up to each institution's discretion, the recipients all shared the common characteristics of demonstrated service to the institution and contributions to campus life and the local community. Faculty members selected have demonstrated strong contributions to teaching, research and/or service, while staff members are being recognized for bringing out the best in others and creating conditions for success.
The faculty and staff recipients include: The Citadel's Dr. Alexandra Macdonald and Diana Herrmann; ETSU's Dr. Russ Brown and Brandi Huskey; Furman's Dr. Jeff Yankow and Nancy Cooper; Mercer's Stephanie Morris and Delaney Ryan; UNC Greensboro's Dr. Stuart Marcovitch and Trina Porcher; Samford's Dr. Patrick Marsh and Leslie Armstrong; Chattanooga's Dr. Liz Hathaway and Theresa Blackman; VMI's Col. Jeff Kendrick and Michelle Murphy; Western Carolina's Alesia Jennings and April Tallant; and Wofford's Dr. John Lefebvre and Tammie Burgess.
"The Southern Conference is proud to publicly recognize the exceptional faculty and staff members at our institutions," SoCon Commissioner Michael Cross said. "Each of the selected honorees are leaders and mentors at their respective institutions and we celebrate their service and commitment. We thank them for fostering the special and unique environments found across the ten SoCon campuses and serving as pillars in their communities."
The recipients from Wofford will be recognized at the men's basketball game against UNCG on Saturday, February 17.
Dr. John Lefebvre is a professor of psychology at Wofford College. Trained as a clinical psychologist, his teaching and research focus on topics related to physical and mental health. In 2010, he was awarded Wofford's Roger Milliken Award for Excellence in Teaching Science. His research has concentrated on the experience of pain, especially the influence of personality, worry, and memory. Recently, his research has focused on improving student well-being through a variety of approaches including the Resilience Project. In 2022, his collaborative work on student well-being was highlighted by the NPR Podcast "Academic Minute". Dr. Lefebvre also has served as a leader on campus, directing the college's implementation of its strategic plan and he co-chaired the college's development of Experience Wofford. Dr. Lefebvre, along with his wife Lisa, are avid supporters of Wofford Athletics.
Tammie Burgess serves as Wofford College's Assistant Registrar. Mrs. Burgess started as the Secretary to the Registrar in 1988 and has worked in the Registrar's Office for her entire career at Wofford. Promoted to her current position as Assistant Registrar in 2009, she finds satisfaction in helping students and alumni, and serving as an Academic Advisor to transfer students, many of whom are student-athletes. Tammie has a fantastic memory and can recall details about a student's time at Wofford years after they graduated. She is extremely patient and kind and has a steady stream of people who come by the office just to say 'hi.' Tammie also enjoys working with the faculty and staff and has built many lasting friendships over the past 35 years. She regularly expresses gratitude for those she works with and the special friends she has made.
When she is not taking care of Wofford, she enjoys quilting, gardening, participating in her church, and spending as much time with her granddaughters as possible. And occasionally tooling around the family's farm in her Kubota.
