Story: Lisa Sollie

Dr. R.T. Floyd, director of the 人妻中出视频鈥檚 Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center and associate dean of the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance, has received the 2026 American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award.

Floyd has served the University for 45 years and was instrumental in establishing its athletic training program. Due in large part to his efforts, 人妻中出视频 was the first public university in the state to receive approval for both a bachelor鈥檚 program in athletic training and a master鈥檚 program. This year marks the 40th anniversary of 人妻中出视频鈥檚 Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center which was established in December 1986.

Since 1982, The National Athletic Trainers鈥� Association (NATA) and the AOSSM have presented the award annually to an outstanding NATA Hall of Fame member whose professional accomplishments have improved the quality of professional practice in athletic training.

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Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

After nearly 25 years of teaching mathematics at the 人妻中出视频, Kim Giles has earned one of the institution鈥檚 highest honors for classroom instruction.

During 人妻中出视频鈥檚 spring commencement exercises held May 7-8, Giles received the 2026 William E. Gilbert Award for Outstanding Teaching, the honor awarded annually by the student body in recognition of excellence in undergraduate classroom instruction.

After graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in industrial engineering, Giles eventually returned to her hometown of Livingston, where she found her calling in the classroom.

鈥淚t鈥檚 such a huge honor to have been nominated and recognized this way,鈥� Giles said. 鈥淚鈥檓 very thankful and grateful that I get to go to work every day, and not feel like it鈥檚 a job, but something I was meant to do.鈥�

Beyond her classroom responsibilities, Giles also serves as the College of Natural Science and Mathematics coordinator and liaison for the 人妻中出视频 Teach program, the STEM education initiative launched by the University in 2023. This program gives STEM majors an opportunity to explore teaching as a career path to see if it鈥檚 right for them.

鈥淚鈥檓 the connection between NSM and the College of Education,鈥� Giles explained. 鈥淚 not only look out for NSM students who are in 人妻中出视频 Teach, but if I have a math or science student who I think would be a good fit for the program, I encourage them to pursue it. I鈥檇 rather students find out early if teaching isn鈥檛 for them rather than when they鈥檙e finishing up their degree.鈥�

Outside the classroom, Giles volunteers with the Wesley Foundation alongside director Elizabeth Stone.

鈥淚鈥檓 there every Monday and Thursday evenings when they have Bible studies, helping feed the students and fellowship with them,鈥� she said.  鈥淚t鈥檚 one of my greatest joys each week.鈥�

Though Giles once considered retiring after reaching the 25-year milestone, she now says she has no plans to step away from the work she loves.

鈥淕od put me here for a reason鈥攖o teach and encourage my students every day,鈥� Giles said. 鈥淚 always tell them, 鈥榊ou got this, and you got to believe.鈥� I鈥檓 happy, and I enjoy my work, so until the day comes that I don鈥檛 enjoy it anymore, I鈥檓 going to keep showing up and doing what He called me to do.鈥�

As the recipient of the Gilbert Award, Giles will serve as macebearer and lead the faculty processional at the University鈥檚 commencement exercises in August, December, and again next May.

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Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Jordan Reese Lay

While college is often seen as a time for academic growth, Parker Woodham views his four years at the 人妻中出视频 a bit differently. Beyond lectures and exams, he describes his time at 人妻中出视频 as a period of personal transformation, one marked by self-discovery and growth that makes him proud.

An exercise science major and former preferred walk-on for the football team, Woodham stepped away from the program after his sophomore year. In doing so, he said his faith was renewed and he began an internship with the strength and conditioning program, where he worked with freshman football players.

Woodham鈥檚 interest in exercise science began in high school, where the all-state football player realized there was a gap between what he knew and how to apply it.

鈥淚 came from a 1A school. We didn鈥檛 have trainers or anyone working with us in the weight room. I understood the value of strength and conditioning鈥攖hat exercise is medicine鈥攂ut I didn鈥檛 have the knowledge or science to back it up. Being able to communicate that to someone effectively is something I gained through my exercise science classes at 人妻中出视频.鈥�

For Woodham, the field also carries personal significance: his family.

His parents had him as teenagers, continuing a pattern from the previous generation.  That family history, along with concerns with their long-term health, became a driving force behind his passion for exercise science.

鈥淚 could have found this information another way,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ut 人妻中出视频 and this program are the reason I know what I know and why I鈥檓 as confident as I am. Seeing a change in my parents’ health helped me realize I can make an impact on others.鈥�

Woodham is already seeing that impact through his internship.

鈥淭he freshman football players listen to my advice and trust me, and that鈥檚 reassuring,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檝e built several connections with the students in the program that continue today, even with guys who have transferred.鈥�

A first-generation college student, Woodham said he never fully envisioned what his college journey would look like. But once he arrived on campus and realized earning a degree was within reach, he committed to making it happen.

鈥淚 did really poorly academically my freshman year,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat was a wakeup call. I thought I had it all together, but I was wrong. The freedom and free time did a number on me, and I had to learn how to manage it. It also taught me to appreciate things I didn鈥檛 even realize I had back home. I decided I was going to be successful and be a good role model for my two younger sisters.鈥�

Reflecting on his experience after being awarded his diploma May 8, Woodham said his time at 人妻中出视频 has been defined by growth. Finding his path, building relationships and discovering a career he鈥檚 passionate about have given him a renewed sense of purpose.

Next, Woodham plans to pursue a position as a personal trainer while working toward his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification. But for him, the goal goes beyond a career.

He wants to keep making an impact at home鈥攈elping ensure his parents and grandparents are there for the milestones ahead, from his future marriage to raising a family of his own.

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