Two educators and the Panama City police chief were honored as FSU Panama City’s 2013 Notable ’Noles on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the campus’s annual Alumni Luncheon. Notable ’Noles are alumni who demonstrated excellence as students and have made outstanding contributions to the community and within their careers.
Kevin "Scott" Ervin
Panama City Police Chief Kevin “Scott” Ervin was nominated by Banyon Pelham because of his role in the development of FSU Panama City’s College of Applied Studies and the creation of the Public Safety and Security Program.
Ervin credited his role in the program’s creation with his ability to speak to law enforcement officials. “Cops listen to other cops,” he noted.
“He has always encouraged a positive relationship with PCPD and made all the resources of the PCPD available to assist in the education of our students,” Pelham, FSU Panama City public safety instructor and Contracts & Grants manager, wrote in the nomination.
Ervin began his career with the Panama City Police Department in July 1999. He studied criminology and criminal justice at FSU Panama City, earning a bachelor’s degree in 2004 and a master’s degree in 2006. He became police chief in February 2013 and is an adjunct professor at FSU Panama City.
He is chairman of the criminal justice advisory board, chairman of the Gulf Coast Criminal Justice Selection Center and a board member at Gulf Coast C.A.A. and Anchorage Children’s Home. He also is vice chairman of the Gulf Coast Community College Criminal Justice Advisory Committee after serving as chairman from 2005 to 2010. He is a member of the FSU Panama City Alumni Board, the Florida Police Chiefs Association and the International Association of Police Chiefs. He previously was a member of the Panama City Faith Based Coalition.
“This award is a testament to the staff here, the encouragement of the professors and their commitment,” Ervin said.
Kathleen Brammeier Jones
Kathleen Brammeier Jones, a math teacher at Mosley High School, was noted for her involvement in the community and her focus on students.
While teaching at Surfside Middle School, Jones earned her master’s degree in math education in 2005 with a 4.0 GPA. She has National Board Certification in Mathematics and is a certified PLTW Master Teacher and National Gateway to Technology Core Training Instructor. She was named Math Awardee for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 2011, Arnold High School’s Teacher of the Year and the Rotary Club of Panama City Beach Service Above Self Teacher of the Year in 2012.
“Kathy represents the best and the brightest alumni of Florida State University, not only in the educational setting, but also in the community of professionals who support education in Panama City,” Sue Harrell wrote in the nomination.
Jones, who has won numerous teaching awards, established Project Lead the Way, a pre-engineering program, at Surfside and introduced the first Lego League competition to the Florida Panhandle.
Harrell lauded Jones’ networking skills which have prompted financial support and numerous mentoring opportunities from the community.
“It is this kind of advocating for students that singles Kathy out as a passionate, committed teacher leader,” Harrell wrote.
“It’s a nice honor to be recognized by the school we all love,” Jones said. “I’d like to see it grow in the community.”
Glenda Walters
Glenda Walters, Ph.D, an adjunct history professor at Gulf Coast State College, earned her master’s degree in social science education in FSU Panama City’s infancy in 1986.
“She was a pioneer; now she is a Notable ’Nole,” FSU Panama City Dean Ken Shaw said.
“It was the professors here who told me what I could do. I never thought of going on to an advanced degree,” Walters said. “They were dedicated from Day 1.”
She earned her Ph.D. in philosophy and history in 1995 using the FSU Panama City facilities while working as a full-time educator. She was a teacher at Mosley High School for 17 years and also has taught at FSU Panama City.
“Looking at Dr. Walters’ resume, it is obvious she gives back to her community,” her daughter Elizabeth Walters wrote in the nomination.
Glenda Walters’ most active role is as president of Bay Historical Society. She has been a member or adviser of the Centennial Committee for Panama City and Lynn Haven and now Bay County, and she has written two books on local history that were published by Arcadia Press.
She is a mentor for the Bay Education Foundation, earning the title of Mentor of the Year in 2003. She is a board member of Teen Court and the state of Florida Humanities Council, is a member of the Panama City Woman’s Club, previously served as a board member of the Science and Discovery Center (formerly the Junior Museum of Bay County) and is a supporter of the Bay Arts Alliance and Panama City Music Association. She also assists with Girl Scout Troop 632 in Lynn Haven.