The West Virginia University College of Applied Human Sciences has named three faculty members to endowed professorships in recognition of their outstanding contributions to teaching, research, and service.
Sean Bulger , a professor in the School of Sport Sciences, was recognized with the Chester E. and Helen B. Derrick CAHS Endowed Professorship. Allison Swan Dagen , a professor in the School of Education, was awarded the Chester E. and Helen B. Derrick Teacher Education Endowed Professorship. Erin McHenry-Sorber, a professor in the School of Education, has been appointed the Alice Trotter Muffly Endowed Professorship.
The Chester E. & Helen B. Derrick Endowment supports a professorship in any of the schools making up CAHS, which provides support for research, teaching, and service. The Chester E. and Helen B. Derrick Teacher Education Endowed Professorship supports faculty who engage in teacher education. Chester E. Derrick, a graduate of the former WVU College of Human Resources and Education, began his career as a teacher at Hurricane High School and later served as a principal and counselor in the Kanawha Valley. The Alice Trotter Muffly Endowed Professorship honors the Morgantown native and 1949 graduate of the College of Human Resources and Education.
The professorships were awarded following a competitive review process led by a faculty committee composed of representatives from across the College and two endowed faculty from outside the unit. The committee evaluated nominees based on a demonstrated record of national distinction in scholarship, a commitment to leadership and mentorship, and ongoing contributions to their field and the University. Members of the evaluation committee included Johnna Bolyard (School of Education), Jeff Daniels (School of Counseling and Well-Being), Emi Tsuda (School of Sport Sciences), Diana Martinelli (College of Creative Arts and Media), and Scott Myers (Eberly College of Arts and Sciences).
Bulger’s teaching spans undergraduate through doctoral levels, and he has played a key role in aligning online curriculum, supporting program development, and advancing physical activity initiatives statewide. The evaluation committee highlighted his impact in service, including academic program support, alignment of online curriculum within the college, and efforts in promoting state-wide physical activity.
Dagen is nationally recognized for her leadership in literacy education and teacher preparation. Her work includes co-authoring national standards, securing grant funding to support reading specialists across West Virginia, and guiding program development in WVU’s Literacy Education program. The committee noted her strong record of scholarship, meaningful engagement with educators across the state, and lasting contributions to the field of teacher education.
McHenry-Sorber was recognized for her national leadership in rural education and her commitment to graduate student mentorship. She co-authored the Rural Education Research Agenda 2022–2027, serves as editor of The Rural Educator, and led the development of the M.A. in Leadership Studies in Education. The committee highlighted her scholarly impact, program-building efforts, and distinguished service both within the institution and nationally.