Two School of Kinesiology faculty members honored at Endowed Faculty Recognition Ceremony

JoEllen Sefton and Michael Roberts, faculty members in Auburn’s School of Kinesiology in the College of Education, were honored at the university’s 2025 Endowed Faculty Recognition Ceremony.

Sefton, a professor and director of the Warrior Research Center, was named an Auburn Alumni Association Professor. The professorships, created with an endowment from the Alumni Association, honor five tenured faculty each year for their contributions to Auburn’s land-grant mission and whose teaching, research, and extension efforts positively impact the university. Professors chosen for this award must have direct responsibilities in at least two of Auburn’s mission areas and have demonstrated meritorious performance, distinctive competence, and potential for continued high productivity and excellence.

“I am deeply grateful for the support of this Endowed Professorship, which affirms the vital mission of the Warrior Research Center and our work on behalf of tactical athletes,” Sefton said. “My team and I are dedicated to enhancing the health, safety, and performance of service members, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders, and this endowment allows us to sustain and expand these efforts in honor of their service and commitment to protecting our communities. It also strengthens my ability to train the next generation of researchers who will carry this work forward, ensuring that our impact continues well into the future.”

Sefton earned her Ph.D. in interdisciplinary biology – sports medicine from the University of North Carolina – Charlotte in 2007. She received a master’s degree in exercise science from Central Connecticut State University in 2003 and a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Ohio University in 1981.

Roberts, a professor and director of the Nutrabolt Applied and Molecular Physiology Lab, was named the Humana Foundation-Germany-Sherman Endowed Distinguished Professor in the College of Education. This professorship was established in 1994, when the Humana Foundation established the Humana Challenge Grant to partially fund an endowed distinguished professorship. The College of Education was required to raise additional funding to complete the endowment.

Gordy German ’48 and Gloria Germany, and Gordan Sherman ’57 and Miriam Sherman, generously met the challenge on the College’s behalf. Because of their commitment to and beliefs in the College’s mission, the challenge grant was fully funded. The first Humana-Germany-Sherman Distinguished Professorships were awarded in 1999 and continue to reward professors of the highest caliber.

“I am profoundly grateful to be selected as the Humana Foundation-Germany-Sherman Endowed Professor and for the generosity that makes this award possible,” Roberts said. “I will proudly carry this honor forward in publishing scholarly papers and presenting at conferences. This recognition is not only a testament to my work as a researcher, mentor, and professor but also reflects the outstanding efforts of my graduate students, departmental colleagues, and college leadership. It serves as a reminder to uphold George Petrie’s principle to ‘believe in work, hard work’ as I strive for excellence in research, teaching, and mentorship. I am honored by this recognition and remain committed to advancing knowledge in my field while preparing the next generation of scholars.”

Roberts earned his Ph.D. in exercise physiology from the University of Oklahoma in 2010. He attended Baylor University where he earned his master’s degree in exercise physiology in 2006 and his bachelor’s degree in biology in 2004.

At the ceremony, Auburn University President Christopher Roberts thanked the donors whose steadfast support allows the university to bring high caliber faculty to campus and to support those faculty members as they elevate Auburn’s scholarship.

“When we strategically invest resources and infrastructure into our talented faculty, Auburn’s research and creative scholarship thrive, sustaining our world-class reputation as leaders in innovation,” he said. “The availability of endowed positions reaffirms the high value Auburn places on the work of our faculty and makes evident Auburn’s commitment to rewarding their extraordinary achievements.”