8.1MB - College of Education - Auburn University

Bolton-Holifield ’90 named to
Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
Ruthie Bolton-Holifield ’90, a two-time Olympic gold medalist,
former WNBA All-Star and College of Education graduate, earned
induction into the 2011 class of the Women’s Basketball Hall of
Fame. Bolton-Holifield, who graduated from Auburn in 1990 with
a degree in health and human performance, was one of six players,
coaches and contributors selected for the hall of fame’s 13th class.
In four seasons at Auburn, Bolton-Holifield led the Tigers to a
combined record of 119-13, including three Southeastern Conference
championships, four NCAA tournaments and two NCAA
runner-up finishes. She finished her career as the school recordholder
for most games started in a season (35) and most steals in a
game (10). Bolton-Holifield ranks fifth on the school’s all-time assist
chart (526) and holds 21st among the program’s career scoring leaders
(1,176 points).
Bolton-Holifield, a native
of McLain, Miss., was just
as prolific during a 15-year
professional career. A member
of 10 U.S. national teams, she
earned gold medals at the
1996 and 2000 Olympics and
earned top honors as USA
Basketball’s Female Athlete of
the Year in 1991.
Bolton-Holifield scored
more than 2,000 points in
her pro career, twice earning
WNBA All-Star honors.
University honors Ringer ’59 with Sheffield Award
Dr. Joyce Reynolds Ringer ’59, a College of Education graduate
and emeritus member of its National Advisory Council, earned the
2010 Pamela Wells Sheffield Award presented by the Office of the
President and the Auburn Athletic Department.
Presented since 1991, the award recognizes women who exemplify
the grace, character and community-minded spirit of the late
Pamela Wells Sheffield ’65, an elementary education graduate whose
husband and children also attended Auburn.
Ringer, an Auburn resident, has displayed her commitment to
the university in a number of ways. Ringer, the retired executive
director of the Georgia Advocacy Office, earned
an elementary education degree from Auburn
before earning her master’s degree in special
education and a doctorate in administration
from Georgia State University.
She was selected for the College of Education’s
Distinguished Alumna Award in 2003 and
served on the college’s National Advisory Council from 1997-2009.
“Teachers influence the future of the world,” Ringer said. “The
calling of teaching is such a blessing. To be able to help support
teachers and the College of Education and the professors who help
guide teaching, it’s just so important for the future of the world. I’m
very glad that I’ve had the opportunity to do that and I’m appreciative
of the College of Education and what it does.”
She and her husband, 1959 Engineering graduate Kenneth
Wayne Ringer, are members of the college’s Dean’s Circle. She has
been actively involved in the Auburn Alumni Association and has
also served on Auburn Magazine’s Alumni Board. Ringer has also
served as president of the Auburn men’s basketball Tip-Off Club
and as a student-athlete tutor. She is a current member of WINGS
(Women Inspiring and Nurturing Greatness in Student-Athletes)
and a member of the Tigerzone board.
Of the Pamela Wells Sheffield Award’s 18 recipients, eight have
connections to the College of Education:
• Dr. Jane Moore, the 1996 award recipient, served as a faculty
member in the Department of Kinesiology (formerly Health
and Human Performance) for 22 years.
• Dr. Jean Welsh ’85, the 1998 winner, earned her master’s degree
and doctorate from Auburn in rehabilitation and special education.
• Kym Haas Prewitt ’86, who was honored in 1999, received a
bachelor’s degree in English language arts education and serves
on the College of Education’s National Advisory Council.
• Dr. Debbie Shaw ’84, the winner in 2000, earned her master’s
degree and doctorate in higher education administration and
now serves as vice president of alumni affairs and executive
director of the Auburn Alumni Association.
• Dr. Susan Sorrells Hubbard ’87, the 2004 recipient, earned a
bachelor’s degree in home economics education, a master’s
degree in vocational and adult education and a doctorate in
education and now serves as associate dean for academic affairs
in Auburn’s College of Human Sciences.
• Sandra Bridges Newkirk, honored in 2006, recently retired
from the College of Education as an assistant professor of kinesiology
after 40 years of service.
• Carolyn Brinson Reed ’65, who won the award in 2008, earned
a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She has served
Auburn through the AU Foundation Board and the Auburn
Alumni Association.
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