Gunter And Tarman To Receive Honorary Alumni Awards

5-7-97
University Park, Pa. -- The Alumni Council of the Penn State Alumni Association voted to name two outstanding contributors to the University -- Laurie M. Gunter and James I. Tarman -- as Honorary Alumni. They will be honored at the annual awards ceremony during Reunion Weekend on Saturday, May 31.

Dr. Laurie M. Gunter, professor emeritus of nursing and human development and former head of the Department of Nursing, retired from Penn State in 1987 after 16 years of service. As head of the department from 1971 to 1975, she oversaw a number of major changes to nursing at Penn State, including the move from Allegheny Hospital in Pittsburgh to the University Park campus and the Hershey Medical Center; an enrollment increase from approximately 100 to 800 students; substantial changes to the undergraduate curriculum; the establishment of a graduate degree program; and an extended degree program for registered nurses, the University's first. She also served as interim department head from 1984 to 1985 and was professor-in-charge of the graduate program for many years.

Gunter is a graduate of Meharry Medical College School of Nursing, the Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial University with a B.S. in home economics, and Fisk University with an M.A. in education. She was one of the first Black women to receive a Ph.D. in human development from University of Chicago, which she received in 1959.

Much of her research has focused on nursing care for the elderly. She is co-author of "Education for Gerontic Nursing" and has published numerous articles and book chapters. She is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and has been a fellow in the Gerontological Society of America and the American Academy of Nursing.

An active volunteer in Seattle, Gunter is a member of the dean's visiting committee at the University of Washington School of Nursing and serves as an expert consultant to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Seattle. She is owner of the Blue Bell Bed and Breakfast in Seattle.

Athletic Director Emeritus James I. Tarman is known to Penn State fans nationwide. When he retired from Penn State in 1993 after 35 years of service -- including 11 as director of athletics -- then Penn State President Joab Thomas said, "Jim Tarman's tenure as athletic director represents the finest there is in intercollegiate athletics. High academic standards and aspirations are at the core of his work. He is the model of integrity that mirrors the lofty image Penn State athletics has."

Tarman is credited for playing a major role in merging Penn State athletic programs into the Big Ten Conference and his colleagues credit him with being one of the University's most creative and committed executives. He shared the distinction of two national championships in football, 1982 and 1986; NCAA crowns in women's lacrosse, 1987 and 1989; and men's and women's fencing, 1990, 1991; and various Eastern and regional titles in sports from wrestling to women's volleyball and others.

A 1952 graduate of Gettysburg College and a native of York, he was on staff of the Harrisburg Patriot News for a year and was assistant public information director and sports information director at Princeton University before joining Penn State in 1958.

Tarman was named to the College Sports Information Directors Hall of Fame in 1970. He has been a member of the National Football Foundation and Football Hall of Fame Honors Court; the National Collegiate Athletic Association Post Season Bowl and Special Events Committee; the Big Ten Championship and Awards Committee and Sponsorship Committee as well as the Athletics Committee of the National Association of Land Grant Colleges and Universities. He also has been a member of the Division 1-A Athletic Directors Association Executive Committee, the National Collegiate Athletic Association Public Relations Committee and the Big Ten Rules and Legislation and Principles, Priorities and Guidelines Committees.

In 1990, Tarman received an honorary membership in Penn State's Golden Key Society in recognition of his commitment to academics and athletics. He is a resident of State College and a trustee emeritus of Gettysburg College.

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Editors: For more information, contact Rayna Wendell, Alumni Association at 814-864-6517.

Contacts:
Alan Janesch (814) 865-7517 (office) (814) 867-3621 (home) axj12@psu.edu
Christy Rambeau (814) 865-7517 (office) (814) 237-9046 (home) cmr7@psu.edu