Alumni Awards

Karen Yundt Lunnen ‘73

Western Carolina University
PT Department Head, 2001-2016 

“Dr. Lunnen was a pediatric physical therapist practitioner, a consultant to several middle schools, helped establish a physical therapy department in a small hospital, and an academician. In addition to teaching at UNC Chapel Hill, Karen is an author of highly regarded pediatric textbooks and has contributed chapters to additional physical therapy textbooks. She has also published and presented research findings in a notable physical therapy journal. She has been active in the physical therapy association at the local, state, and national levels. For example, she served on the national task force that developed the pediatric clinical specialization. In addition to her extended and outstanding service to patients and physical therapy students in her many roles, her community service throughout Western Carolina and internationally is remarkable. Karen is a leader who inspires others to participate. She is always willing to push the boundaries for the greater good. The Duke Physical Therapy Program should consider this alumna one of its shining stars." Distinguished Alumni Rebecca Craik ‘72

This year’s Distinguished Alumni Award winner was the inspiration for the Karen Lunnen Vision for Physical Therapy Program Fund as part of Western Carolina University’s “Fill the Western Sky” comprehensive fundraising campaign. She served on the Physical Therapy Advisory Committee, which worked to plan and establish a physical therapy program at WCU to meet the need for physical therapists in the far western counties of North Carolina. Since the first physical therapists graduated from WCU in 1998, the number of physical therapists in the 16 westernmost North Carolina counties has increased exponentially. Among other contributions, Lunnen helped secure funding for the program, develop preliminary relationships with clinical education sites, and design the original curriculum of study that was submitted to the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors for approval. The physical therapy program at WCU began in 1996, with a doctoral program getting underway in 2013. Lunnen began official employment at WCU in January 1995 as the acting department head, then transitioned to the role of academic coordinator of clinical education. She received tenure in 2001, served as acting department head from 2001 to 2003, and assumed the role permanently in 2003. Karen’s successor, David Hudson, has called her “a regional groundbreaker in the profession” and stated, “Karen Lunnen is a person with great passion for caring for people who are in need.”

Michelle Anumba '16

Director of Medical Services
Salt Lake City Stars and Utah Jazz

• 2x Best Athletic Training Staff for NBA G-League SLC Stars
• WNBA Champions Las Vegas Aces
• FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, Côte D’Ivoire
• World Athletics Championships, Track and Field, Budapest
• United States Paralympic Wheelchair Curling
• United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee Sports Medicine Volunteer
• USA Women’s Basketball
• Athletes Unlimited Basketball
• Texas Legends NBA G-League
• University of Texas at Arlington Men’s Basketball
• Texas Health Sports Medicine Sports PT Residency
• Duke All-American- Shot Put, 2012 Olympic Trials

“From the moment I met her, Michelle has carried herself with the quiet confidence and grace of someone destined to make an impact...Beyond her professional accolades, Michelle’s heart for mentorship & education distinguishes her as a true emerging leader. Since 2019, she has served as a clinical instructor for physical therapy and athletic training students, as well as undergraduate students from pre-PT programs across the country who aspire to careers in sports medicine. She pours herself into mentorship—not for recognition, but from a deep calling to be an example of what’s possible, a source of inspiration, and a guide for those navigating paths she once walked herself. Through her generosity, she encourages future clinicians to pursue their passions with courage, reminding them that “every ‘no’ is not a failure, but a redirection toward something greater. Michelle lives those words fully. When certain sports residencies and positions didn’t go her way early in her career, she refused to let those setbacks define her. Instead, she transformed rejection into resilience, ultimately finding her way to opportunities she never imagined. She often says she never planned to work in basketball—basketball found her—and that humility, openness, and sense of purpose are what continue to guide her extraordinary journey today.” Jasmine Cross Fluellen ’18

“What is most impressive to me regarding Dr. Anumba’s start to her career is not only the positions she has held…but the overall impact her example has been to those around her. Michelle has already demonstrated an incredible capacity to impact & influence those who look up to her as an example of what is possible through tenacious and meaningful work for others. She has quickly & effectively risen to hold director positions within professional organizations & is recognized both nationally & internationally for her contributions to the field of sports medicine. These accomplishments are only achieved through hard work & demonstrating a work ethic & skillset that is easily recognizable & clearly stands out among her peers.” Emerging Leader Paul Salamh ‘07

Distinguished Alumni Award

2025: John Lowman '95
2024: Mike Billings '94
2023: Lee Dibble ’91
2022: Gerard P. Brennan ’75
2021: Blair Packard ‘76
2020: Alan Lee ‘94
2019: Kelley Kubota ‘94
2018: Elizabeth Mostrom ‘78
2017: Dan Vreeman ‘03
2016: Anne Weekley Thompson ‘79
2015: Gary Zigenfus ‘74
2014: Rebecca Craik ‘72
2008: Andrea Behrman ‘80

Emerging Leader Alumni Award

2025: Garrett Bullock '17
2024: Allyson Sutkowi-Hemstreet ‘14
2023: Maggie Holland ’16
2022: Tasala Rufai ‘12
2021: Tara Widgins Dickson ‘12
2020: Michael Schmidt ‘12
2019: Amy Arundale ‘11
2018: Matthew Ithurburn ‘12
2017: Paul Salamh ‘07
2016: Annalisa Na ‘09
2015: Rebecca Gutman Quinones ‘07
2014: Dean McCall ‘04