2024 George B. Hartzog, Jr. Awards Recipients

Dr. Jim Sibthorp began his career as an outdoor educator, teaching scuba diving and boating safety during academic semesters focused on marine biology, geology, and nautical archaeology. Students often shared transformative experiences related to group dynamics rather than academic content, motivating him to explore personal and group growth through outdoor education, leading to his Ph.D. at Indiana University.

Now a professor at the University of Utah, Jim directs the Outdoor Education and Youth Development lab, teaching research design, experiential education, and youth programming. He has supervised 18 Ph.D. and 32 M.S. students, celebrating their successes post-graduation. His research, supported by organizations like the Spencer Foundation, examines outdoor education outcomes and enhances youth programs' cultural responsiveness.

Honored as a Fellow of The Academy of Leisure Sciences, Jim has received the Distinguished Researcher award from the Association for Experiential Education for his significant contributions.

Dr. Michael Mengak, a distinguished wildlife biologist, hails from Northeastern PA. He earned his BS in Forestry and Wildlife Management from Virginia Tech in 1979, followed by a MS and PhD from Clemson University in 1982 and 1987, respectively. Recently retired from the University of Georgia’s Warnell School, he held numerous academic ranks since 2001 and served as Associate Dean for Outreach. A Certified Wildlife Biologist, Dr. Mengak is a TWS Fellow and Past-President of the Southeastern Section of The Wildlife Society.

Throughout his career, he has received 16 awards from the Southern Regional Extension Forester for excellence in outreach and publications. He has published extensively, contributing to over 55 peer-reviewed articles, 2 books, and numerous extension publications. His research focused on invasive species and wildlife management, while mentoring many graduate students. Mike is married to Kathy, and they have two children, Chris and Lara, both pursuing impactful careers in conservation.

Christopher W. Abbett serves as the National Park Service’s (NPS) South Atlantic Gulf Associate Regional Director for Partnerships, Lands, Interpretation, and Planning. Over his 35-year NPS career, he has significantly contributed to protecting Civil Rights sites, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birth Home and the establishment of the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument.

His efforts in enhancing local parks include vital projects like the Chattanooga Riverwalk and the Florida Greenways Program. Chris's leadership has garnered several accolades, including recognition from the National Recreation and Park Association for his work in community development. He has also received commendations for his role during Hurricane Katrina recovery with FEMA.

A graduate of Georgia State University and the University of Georgia, Chris plans to retire in late 2024, moving with his wife, Mary, to Berthoud, CO. His enduring passion for the NPS and community engagement remains evident in his career achievements.

Dr. Theresa G. Coble is the E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor of Experiential and Family Education at the University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL). In May 2023, she was appointed by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to the National Park System Advisory Board. Co-chairing the Committee on Recognizing Women’s History in response to President Biden’s Executive Order (EO 14121),

Dr. Coble has a distinguished career collaborating with the U.S. National Park Service, leading research in over 25 national parks, and co-developing an online master's degree in resource interpretation.

A Fulbright Fellow in 2010 and a Fellow of the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), Dr. Coble has secured over $2 million in grants and has been published in numerous scholarly journals. Her innovative teaching emphasizes heritage leadership, sustainability, and social justice. She enjoys gardening, cooking, and high-elevation hikes, all while living in University City, Missouri, with her husband, Dean, and dog, Milo.

William W. Gwaltney, a seventh-generation Washington, D.C. native, has made significant contributions to the National Park Service over his thirty-five-year career. Growing up with a rich family history, including ancestors who served in the segregated military, Gwaltney was deeply influenced by his heritage. He co-founded Company “B” of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, gaining recognition as an extra and technical assistant in the film “Glory.”

His leadership in diversity initiatives earned him numerous accolades, including the Regional Freeman Tilden Award for Interpretation and the Department of Interior Valor Award for saving a life. Gwaltney also played a crucial role as the Guest Curator for Military History at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

After his tenure with the NPS, he became the Director of Interpretation and Visitor Services for the American Battle Monuments Commission. Now retired in Denver, he continues to volunteer for the National Park Service.

Dr. Kyle Woosnam is a distinguished Professor of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at the University of Georgia's Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. Previously, he served as an Assistant/Associate Professor at Texas A&M University. Dr. Woosnam has received numerous accolades, including 15 teaching awards and 12 research awards, underscoring his commitment to academic excellence.

With 180 peer-reviewed journal articles to his name, he has authored three books and conducted research in 33 countries. His work focuses on social and environmental changes resulting from various external and internal factors. Currently, he oversees five Master's and ten Ph.D. students, contributing significantly to the academic growth of his field.

Beyond academia, Kyle is an active member of the UGA Faculty Teaching Academy and serves on the editorial board of 13 journals. Originally from Momence, Illinois, he enjoys cycling, hiking, and spending quality time with his family. He has been married to Margaret since 2003 and has four children: Josie, Ellie, Brady, and Sammy.

Robert G. Stanton, former Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior and Director of the National Park Service (NPS), is currently a Scholar-in-Residence at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where he focuses on resource preservation and park management. Appointed by President Barack Obama in 2014, he previously served on the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

Stanton began his NPS career in 1962 as a seasonal park ranger at Grand Teton National Park and became the first African American Director of the NPS. His leadership oversaw an 83-million-acre National Park System, enhancing its budget by 28% and initiating significant preservation efforts.

An advocate for diversity in conservation, Stanton has earned multiple accolades, including the Distinguished Service Award from the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Cornelius Pugsley Gold Medal. He holds five honorary doctorate degrees and resides in Fairfax Station, Virginia, with his wife, Janet.