The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor given by the School of Health and Human Sciences to its outstanding alumni. It recognizes persons who have attained national and/or international stature through their achievements in teaching, scholarship, service administration, or leadership, creative endeavors, human relationships and inspiration.

The 2016 HHS Distinguished Alumni Award recipient is Dr. Jeffrey Martin. Dr. Martin received a master of science in 1989 and a PhD in 1992 in Kinesiology here at UNCG. Following graduation, he joined the faculty at Wayne State University where he is now a full professor in the division of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies.

He is Director of the Disability Sport and Exercise Psychology Research Center where he has been investigating psychological aspects of disability sport, and collaborating on many federally funded research projects.