May 17, 2016 Dear Tenure and Promotion Committee Members, 1am writing to you in reference for Dr. Jeff Hartman. He has applied for promotion to the rank of Professor at Gardner-Webb University (GWU). Jeff and | have been colleagues since my arrival in 2012. During that time, we have developed an outstanding professional relationship and I consider Jeff a mentor. To date, according to the Office of Retention, Jeff's leadership of the Exercise Science (EXS!) program has helped to bring the number of students intending to major in Exercise Science to eighty. In my opinion, that success, in conjunction with Jef’s abilities in the areas of program stewardship, teaching, and student mentoring, make him an excellent candidate for promotion to Professor. ‘As a steward of the EXSI program, Jeff has honestly and diligently worked to manage the budget, improve the quality of the EXSI education, and fine tune the curricular pathway students must follow. His honesty is ever present as he probes for feedback and data, from both students and colleagues, searching for room for improvement. Jeffs diligence is demonstrated via predictable and almost rhythmic attention to meeting with EXS| staff and students. He also maintains a master lst of tasks, which is always open for discussion. | consider that practice to be @ crucial reason EXSI has seen so much early success at GWU. ‘Teaching is clearly Jeff's passion. He is organized and enthusiastic while focusing upon the desired outcomes. Increasingly, EXSIis solidifying a governing philosophy which places great importance upon the ability to demonstrate TUG success with an answer to this question, “what are students doing immediately after graduation?” Although students are likely to change industries and careers more than once, the first steps they are prepared to take after graduation reflect upon the purpose of the TUG education. Jeff's vision for EXSI has taken that philosophy to heart from the start and itis evident in how he teaches students day to day. Jeff extends mentoring well beyond the classroom environment. Mentoring is 2 deliberate method he has established for the purpose of preparing students for careers or professional schools immediately after graduation. He makes his mobile phone number available for students and encourages them to consider him a mentor immediately. In the 2014-2015 academic year, Jeff completed the process of adding both Practicum and Thesis experiences to the EXSI curriculum. Both experiences focus upon preparing students to develop an educational experience which requires a mentor. In 2015-2016, he was able to mentor a student through a ‘TUG Thesis experience using data collected as part of an NIH funded research project being conducted at the University of lowa. That project is an outstanding example of Jeff's desire to not only mentor students but also mentor them through elite level projects. In conclusion, |, without reservation, recommend Dr. Jeff Hartman be promoted. His time at GWU has been filled with academic excellence and a dedication to developing an EXSI program which truly demonstrates commitment to the mission of GWU. In my opinion, promoting Jeff to the rank of Professor would further demonstrate a GWU commitment to excellence and a persistent dedication to faculty who are instrumental to the University’s success. Sincerely, Dos fa David J Granniss, PhO Assistant Professor of Exercise