University of West Florida

DR. PAT WENTZ
Special Achievement
Faculty Athletics Representative, 2009-2018

Dedication to the workplace and its mission is something every employer look for in its employees. On the University of West Florida campus it would be hard to find anyone more dedicated to the students, staff and fellow faculty members in the past 50 years than Dr. Pat Wentz
 

Since joining the UWF faculty in 1973, she has developed into an accomplished educator, researcher and published author who has served under all six UWF Presidents. 
 
But her impact on athletics has been felt since 2007 when she became the Faculty Athletics Representative for the University. In that time she has served on countless committees and represented UWF at conference and NCAA meetings and conventions.
 
UWF's intercollegiate athletics program has seen its most successful period coincide with Wentz's association with the 15-sports as well.
 
The Argonauts have won five team national championships, 12 individual national titles and 54 of their 96 conference crowns in that time span.
 
"I am very proud of our spectacular staff, coaches and students, along with their victories and near victories," she said. "What I am most impressed with is the sportsperson-like behavior of our student-athletes. They stand head and shoulders above our opponents on and off the playing field."
 
At the 2017-18 Athletics Student-Athlete Donor Dinner, it was announced that the Student-Athlete Leadership Award – given to those who demonstrate innovative, motivational leadership, impacting their academic, athletic and community environments – would be renamed in her honor as the Dr. Pat Wentz Student-Athlete Leadership Award.
 
She is currently serving as the Director of Educational Research and Administration.