News
- Home
- About Us
- Academics
- Advising
- Alumni
- Computer Labs
- Part-time Instructional Opportunities
- Research
- Scholarships
- Student Organizations
- Directory
- Contact Us
- Part of the College of Education and Human Development
News
2012
The American College of Sports Medicine recently appointed Dr. Timothy Michael to the Professional Education Committee for a term of three years.
Posted May 4
Dr. James Lewis, associate professor of Human Performance and Health Education, has received the 2012 President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Community Leadership Award.
Posted April 23
WMU Gamma Mu chapter of the National Health Education honorary, Eta Sigma Gamma celebrated its 19th Annual Award Ceremony in April. Gamma Mu members, their parents, spouses, loved ones and health education faculty members attended the ceremony. The ceremony presented an opportunity to recall the prominent accomplishments of the group in the academic year 2011/12. True to the ideals of Eta Sigma Gamma, the group engaged in education, service and advocacy on health education matters. Group activities included two professional development trips to Louisville, Kentucky and Washington DC. Education and Services on campus include planning on advocacy to make WMU a tobacco free campus, alcohol misuse education and services to various community agencies in Kalamazoo.
Awards were presented to deserving students: Gamman of the year award and Scholarship Key awards both were presented to Holly Ferweda, Distinguished Service Award went to Jared Badour, Outstanding New Initiate Awards were given to Katie Rietkerk and Kirsten Henry. Six graduating seniors were awarded the Eta Sigma Gamma cord of honor pending their completion and commencement ceremony this summer. In his brief presentation, Dr. Bensley encouraged the graduates to get involved and pursue their passion as good ambassadors of the University.
Posted April 20
The Department of Human Performance and Health Education recognized several of its alumni and students for their individual achievements during an event at the Fetzer Center in March. A main feature of the 2012 Academic Honor Academy Luncheon was the induction of seven alumni into the Academic Honor Academy.
The academy recognizes the outstanding professional accomplishments, contributions and service of the department's alumni. The 2012 inductees were Tracy Daniel, Sean Fletcher, Christine Juszczyk, Stephen Keizer, Stephen “Rob” Little, Margaret “Peg” Parrott and Megan Rickard.
Pictured are Margaret “Peg” Parrott, Christine Juszczyk, Tracy Daniel, Stephen Zeizer, Sean Fletcher, Megan Rickard, Stephen “Rob” Little and Chair of the Department of Human Performance and Health Education, Dr. Christopher Cheatham
Posted April 9
Dr. Yuanlong Liu, professor in the Department of Human Performance and Health Education has been elected as the president of International Chinese Society of Physical Activities and Health (ICSPAH), effective April 2012. ICSPAH is a nonprofit international professional association. The mission of ICSPAH is to facilitate professional growth and development among its members to promote healthy and physically active lifestyles through strengthening research and education throughout the world. Working with the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), ICSPAH’s current goal is to work with American and Chinese universities to face the challenges in higher education.
Dr. Liu has been with WMU since 1998. He is the recipient of the honor award of the Measurement and Evaluation Council of American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR). Dr. Liu has served a three years term as the academic research journal MPEES Editor-in-Chief. He is now serving as the section editor in Exercise Science of MPEES (i.e., biomechanics, sport physiology and sports medicine). In the measurement field, Dr. Liu has published numerous peer reviewed publications research presentations at national and international conventions.
Posted April 9
Physical Education professor Dr. Deb Berkey has been elected as chair of the North American Society for the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).
Posted April 6
Human Performance and Health Education professor, Dr. Deb Berkey, traveled with seven student members of the Epsilon Alpha Chapter of Phi Epsilon Kappa to attend the National Conference of the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in Boston, MA in mid-March.
The students are pictured with Dr. Al Stephan (Midwest District President) and Dr. Deb Berkey, chapter adviser. Students in the back row (l to r): Adam Carpp, Jason Schut, Trey Conner, Bobby Keller and Seth Weber. Front row: Stephanie Hoff and Carly Kirkpatrick.
Posted March 27
Eleven physical education intern teachers, accompanied by Dr. Deb Berkey, were among 100 professionals who participated in Legislative Education Day on Feb 29, 2012. The event was sponsored by the Michigan Fitness Foundation, the Comprehensive School Health Education Coordinator's Association and the Michigan Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. The purpose of the event was to increase the visibility of the importance of physical education, health education and the Healthy Michigan Fund with schools and communities across the state. A total of 120 legislators were visited during the day. Intern teachers representing WMU included: T.J. Furco, Matt Smorch, Jake Culver (placed in Otsego Public Schools), Kevin Lillibridge, Ben Munselle, Shawn Larson (Gull Lake Community Schools), Drew McLaughlin (Bridgman Public Schools), Zach Mallarney, Brandon Carter (Mattawan Community Schools) and Leslie Angle (Lawton Community Schools).
The picture was taken in State Representative Aric Nesbitt's Office. From left to right:
Dr. Deb Berkey, TJ Furco (WMU) Chris Furlong and Mike Maisner (Michigan Fitness Foundation), Leslie Angle (WMU), Rep. Nesbitt and Elaine Tomasi (Comprehensive School Health Coordinator's Association).
Posted March 14
A student in the College of Education and Human Development has successfully created and coordinated the Bench Press Contest for the past two years.
Myron Harrison, a senior in Recreation Management in the Department of Human Performance and Health Education, and four-year employee at the Student Recreation Center (SRC) had a vision to establish a dynamic event for Western Michigan University students within the SRC.
After months of researching other University's Campus Recreation strongman and/or bench press contests, Harrison sat down and composed a bench press contest especially for WMU. From developing the rules and regulations, registration form, how the competition would be conducted, to the prizes, awards and promotion, Harrison planned the entire event with support from SRC professional staff members.
The first year's event (Spring 2011) went well with a good turn out, but this year’s event saw a significant increase in participants. The Bench Press Contest presented awards to the top three winners of each weight class. There were four weight classes for the males and three for the females.
Posted March 13
Dr. Jody Brylinsky, professor of human performance and health education, has been appointed associate provost for institutional effectiveness, beginning April 1.
WMU News article
Posted March 12
The Epsilon Alpha Chapter of Phi Epsilon Kappa hosted the Western Michigan University Girls and Women in Sport Day on Saturday, February 4th at the Fetzer Center. The National Girls and Women in Sport Day, commemorated by an Act of Congress in 1988, was officially celebrated across the country on February 1. Twenty-one local athletes, nominated by their athletic directors and coaches, were recognized at the breakfast event along with their parents. The theme this year was Title IX Turns 40: In It For the Long Run. Dr. Deb Berkey, PEK adviser, served as host for the event. The keynote speaker was Ms. Jeanne Hess, Professor of Physical Education at Kalamazoo College.
Posted February 22
Dr. Michael Miller, professor in Human Performance and Health Education, was involved as contributing author for the recently released National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Preventing Sudden Death in Sports . This document will be used as a reference nation wide to promote safe sport participation and preparation.
Posted February 21
Gretchen Mohney, Instructor in Human Performance and Health Education, was invited to be a presenter at the Women in Sports Leadership Conference in Lansing on February 5th, 2012. This conference is held once every two years by the MHSAA (Michigan High School Athletic Association). Approximately 640 female high school student athletes across the state of Michigan were in attendance. Mohney presented 4 modules on two separate topics, Speed and Agility for the Female Athlete and Nutrition for the Female Athlete. Mohney will also be the Michigan Athletic Trainers Society Public Relations Committee representative at the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association state conference in March.
Posted February 20
Several Human Performance and Health Education students enrolled in HPER 2350: Theory of Coaching received their Michigan High School Athletic Association Coaches Advancement Program Level III Intermediate Level certificates. Students must pass three MHSAA CAP tests at 80% or above to earn certification. WMU annually is near the top in the state of Michigan in the number of students that receive the certificate.
Posted Jan 6
Dr. Jody Brylinsky, Professor in Human Performance and Health Education, was asked to serve as a technical advisor for US Soccer by their coach education division in Los Angeles, CA. In addition to giving two presentations, one on identifying elite coach competences, and a second on evaluating top coaches, Jody was also able to see the women's national team practice and work with several former World Cup players and current professional team coaches.
Posted Jan 6