Charity Anne Byram 4964 Chrisfield Lane Winston-Salem, NC 27104 GWU Class of 2015 28 May 2016 Dear Tenure and Promotion Committee, Tam writing to recommend the promotion of Dr. Jeffrey Hartman to the rank of full professor. Dr. Hartman was a part of ‘each of my four years at Gardner-Webb University in many different roles. Coming into college, I was working to narrow my major choice and deciding between a biology or health and wellness route, looking to pursue a career in occupational therapy. It was during this time that I first met with Dr. Hartman and learned about the Exereise Science major that was Just starting. Sinee then, Dr. Hartman has invested in me as my advisor, professor, and research mentor. He and his wife ‘opened their home and family to my class, often inviting us for meals and truly caring for us as we were away from home. ‘Throughout the Exercise Science program, I was challenged to think beyond the surface and make my learning my own. Thanks to Dr. Hartman, I was able to create leaming experiences beyond the traditional classroom. Because I had numerous AP and college credits coming into GWU, during my senior year I only required a few more credits to graduate. When Dr. Hartman and I sat down to discuss options for my senior year courses, [had two choices: to sit back for an easy schedule or to further my learning in Exercise Science creatively. Knowing graduate school for occupational therapy was my goal, we decided on the latter. Dr. Hartman empowered me to create a practicum experience as a teaching assistant for Exercise Physiology Lab as well as an undergraduate research project for the following year. These two experiences stand out to me as some of the most formative in my educational carcer. As a teaching assistant, I grew immensely in the ability to communicate scientific information and work with students to achieve their goals and potential. As my rescarch ‘mentor, Dr, Hartman took extensive time outside of his academic and work schedule to meet with me weekly. He assisted ‘me to tailor my project to my future career. He pushed me by guiding me along the path, but never giving me the answers so [had to make the project my own. When it came time to present at the Alpha Chi National Scholarship Honor Society annual convention, Dr. Hartman inspired me to hone my presentation skills and empowered me with confidence in myself and my research. He was a part of every step of the process and provided me the tools to grow in both skill and as a person, ‘The impact that Dr. Hartman and the Exercise Science program have made on my life have been most evident to me as I havc transitioned to working toward my Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree this past year. By strategically guiding me and my classmates to the path and empowering us to take the initiative in our scholarship, Dr. Hartman ‘ereated the foundation for graduate level learning and beyond. I feel strongly that this personal, academic, and professional growth have shaped me into the person I am today. I completely recommend the promotion of Dr. Jeffrey artman to full professor. Sincerely, Charity ME LB,yettirer MS. Occupational Therapy Student Lenoir-Rhyne University SOTA President