Each year, the Southern Conference honors two representatives from each of its member schools for their services to their institution and to the larger community. For 2019, Dr. Tom Martinek, Sr. in Kinesiology and the Bryan School’s John Chapman will receive the honor.
Martinek and Chapman will be recognized by the SoCon at the UNCG vs. NC State game on Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Greensboro Coliseum.
For the length of his career, Martinek has focused his work on how best to teach and support at-risk youth to ensure their success. He is best known for creating Project Effort, a values-based after-school sport and leadership program for underserved youth, and for playing a pivotal role in establishing UNCG’s Middle College, which serves as a bridge from high school to college and career for children who may struggle in mainstream schools. His work, at the nexus of research and hands-on research, has had an international impact, as it ensures youth who may struggle in school can get the resources and outreach they need.
Chapman, a lecturer in UNCG’s Bryan School of Business & Economics, is co-founder and director of business development of the North Carolina Sales Institute at UNCG. Chapman has more than thirty years of experience developing effective sales strategies with global businesses. He has worked with start-ups, community organizations, and major international companies including Coca-Cola and Stanley Works. At Stanley, he received the prestigious Sales Excellence Award in recognition of his work. He passes on this wide-ranging experience in his teaching at UNCG. He also oversees the Bryan School’s participation in the National Millennial Community and Gen Z Council. This national organization provides students from less-recognized institutions the opportunity to meet with the leaders of Fortune 1000 companies.
