Message from Dean Gallahue
HPER at 60:
This year, 2006, your School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation
is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its founding in 1946 by then Indiana
University President Herman B Wells. Our 60th year has been a watershed year
in the life of the school. In January, IU President Adam W. Herbert visited
the school and spoke at length with members of our academic council about the
new Life Sciences Initiative and the role HPER could play in this
important emphasis that will drive the agenda of the university for years to
come. In April, University Chancellor Kenneth Gros Louis addressed our faculty
and staff at the annual State of the School address and spoke eloquently on
HPER’s
60-year legacy. At the same meeting, IU Bloomington’s first Interim Provost
and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Michael McRobbie, mapped out a vision
for the school as it moves forward for the next five to 10 years. In May, President
Herbert, after a stimulating meeting with our board of advisors — also
known as the Dean’s Associates — made a request for a proposal
from the school for a comprehensive campus wellness program designed specifically
for faculty and staff.
Campus Faculty/Staff Wellness Program
The Strategic Plan for the Life Sciences at Indiana University serves as the centerpiece for important initiatives that will drive the agenda of the university for years to come. The School of HPER is an important player in the life sciences, in particular the science of humanity. The seventh goal of the plan is clearly focused on personal wellness and health. Therefore, as one of HPER’s Life Science Initiatives, and in response to a request for a proposal from IU President Adam W. Herbert, we are in the process of preparing a proposal for a Comprehensive Staff/Faculty Wellness Program.
May 2006 Commencement
Graduates and their families had a chance to reflect and celebrate their accomplishments at the HPER Senior Send-off Luncheon on May 6, 2006. The School of HPER provides an opportunity each December and May for its students to walk in a graduation ceremony and be greeted by Dean Gallahue and their department chair.
The Senior Send-off Luncheon was held in Mellencamp Pavilion immediately following Commencement. Approximately 600 people attended the luncheon, including 82 graduates.
HPER Alumni Board President Phil Bennett hosted the event. Phil said he “was very proud to represent the School of HPER Alumni Association in hosting the luncheon at the spring Commencement! It was an honor to meet so many of the excited graduates and their proud parents and family members.”
Honors Receptions
The School of HPER held two receptions this spring to honor our undergraduate and graduate students who were selected to receive scholarships for the 2006 academic year. A variety of scholarships and fellowships are available for admitted undergraduate and graduate students in the School of HPER. Eligibility criteria for these awards vary. Some of these considerations include demonstration of academic excellence, leadership in extracurricular activities, or financial need. Students are encouraged to discuss these award and scholarship opportunities with their academic advisors and apply via an online application in the fall of the prior academic year.
This year’s outstanding recipients included 69 undergraduate students who received a total of $78,550, and 16 graduate students, who received a total of $35,400, all were privately funded awards.
2006 Marian Godeke Miller Lecture Featuring Dr. Judy Monroe
The Marian Godeke Miller Lecture was generously endowed by Marian and Bill Miller of Lafayette, Ind., in 2000. The lecture traditionally focuses on health, wellness, and physical activity issues as they affect the citizens of the state of Indiana. Now in its seventh year, the Marian Godeke Miller Lecture is an important outreach of the School of HPER in delivering its core message of “Living Well through Healthy Lifestyles.”
Held on April 19, this year’s featured speaker was Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Judith A. Monroe. Prior to the lecture, Dr. Monroe graciously offered to spend the afternoon on the IU Bloomington campus meeting with faculty and students to discuss collaborative efforts with the School of HPER, as well as the future of careers in the health and wellness fields.
National Center on Accessibility to Congress
On May 11, 2006, Gary Robb, director of the IU National Center on Accessibility, testified before Congress about the need for improved accessibility training for National Park Service (NPS) employees and better physical and programmatic accessibility solutions at NPS sites across the country. The National Center on Accessibility was created in 1992 under a cooperative agreement with the NPS. Under the agreement, the NCA provides technical assistance, training, and other expert support to the NPS to ensure that people with disabilities have the opportunity to fully enjoy the National Park System. Mr. Robb was asked to testify because of the NCA’s national reputation in disability issues.
The National Park Service has consistently relied on the NCA to help meet its accessibility training mission, and since 1992 the NCA has offered 121 training courses in all parts of the country. More than 1,500 National Park Service employees and concession operators have attended these training sessions. Without a doubt the NCA’s influence has led to a positive park experience for thousands of disabled visitors over the last 14 years.
Recreational Sports Student Awards Dinner
Nearly 50 outstanding participants, employees, and volunteers of IU Division of Recreational Sports were recognized at the annual Student Recreational Sports Association Honors Banquet held on April 26, in Alumni Hall at the Indiana Memorial Union.
Connie Gross Retires
On Jan 1, 2007, long-time Administrative Assistant to the Dean Connie Gross will retire after serving nearly 46 years at the School of HPER. No other faculty or staff employee in HPER’s history has worked for a longer time period. Her contributions to the school and to the university have been truly immeasurable.
Faculty Retirements
Donald J. Burns, Department of Kinesiology
James S. Skinner, Department of Kinesiology
Calendar Highlights
July 16: HPER Alumni Day at Victory Field
Indianapolis Indians vs. Buffalo Bison
Tickets are $28 each and include a game ticket and buffet. Space is limited. Please
contact Dara Eckart at 812.855.7891 or deckart@indiana.edu to
reserve your seats
August 25: RecFest
http://www.recsports.indiana.edu/
October 21: Jill Behrman Run for the Endzone
http://www.recsports.indiana.edu/
October 28: Homecoming
IU vs. Michigan State
http://www.iuhoosiers.com
December 16: Commencement/Send-off Luncheon
http://alumni.indiana.edu
HPER NewsWorthy
Department of Recreation and Park Administration Name Change
The Department of Recreation and Park Administration will be changing its name to better reflect the leisure industry in its entirety. The name is now the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies. The decision to change the name of the 60-year-old department was the topic of intense study, debate, and discussion during the 2005-06 academic year. Key reasons for the change stemmed from the need to represent tourism as an additional concept within the leisure industry framework of the department. The increase in interest in tourism, coupled with the 30-year offering of a tourism and commercial recreation course and a 14-year offering of the tourism management specialization was stressed as even more important with the arrival of the joint master’s degree in Tourism Management offered between IUPUI and IU Bloomington.
A prescription for art
In today’s high-speed society, art can provide a way for people to step back, if only briefly, and gain a deeper perspective on their lives. It can help consumers tap feelings often tossed in the back seat as they race through their days juggling family and job responsibilities. Elizabeth Shea, coordinator of the Contemporary Dance Program at Indiana University, said a well-fed spirit is critical to overall well-being. “If we really look at the tripartite of mind, body and spirit, what’s feeding our spirit? What do we do that helps us develop as complete individuals?” Art can be beautiful. It can be controversial. Art allows consumers to empathize with people from different cultures, mindsets, and situations. Modern dance, for example, often addresses difficult social and political issues, such as homelessness, AIDS, and race. Shea said art appreciation is not limited to the connoisseur. It can be experienced in a variety of venues with a variety of ticket prices, including free. Museums, local arts groups, galleries, and universities are good sources for artistic performances and exhibits. “Art lets you feel,” Shea said. “It’s an expression of our humanity.”
Shea can be reached at 812-855-7020 and eshea@indiana.edu.
Mediation isn't just for demolition divorces or custody agreements
Mediators can help many divorcing couples save money and time by helping them move through the legal process more quickly and by avoiding contentious lawsuits. Most cases involving divorce or child custody issues should be settled out of court and usually are, said Amy G. Applegate, a longtime litigator who directs the Family and Children Mediation Clinic at the Indiana University School of Law–Bloomington. However, the divorcing or already divorced parties can make cruel accusations before it gets to that point. “One major problem is that the kids are caught in the middle,” Applegate said. “It’s very difficult for children. Over and over you hear from children that they want their parents to stop fighting, that they want their parents to let them love both of them. Mediation encourages people to look for non-litigation solutions. Litigation can take a real toll on individuals and families —- emotionally, financially, and with their time.” Because of their training and neutrality, mediators often can help divorcing couples reach more effective divorce agreements without as much animosity, benefiting the divorcees and their children. “They can lower the emotional volume tremendously,” said Robert Billingham, an associate professor in Indiana University Bloomington’s Department of Applied Health Science. In addition to his research on the long-term effects of divorce on children, his research interests include parent/child interactions and interpersonal relationships. Billingham recommends that any divorcing couple with children consider mediation because it can help avoid the unnecessary harsh accusations and hostility. Couples attempting a “good divorce” also should consider mediators because of the time and cost savings and because good mediators can help the couples consider perspectives and issues they might otherwise miss. Divorce, said Applegate, can make people behave in unfortunate and sometimes unexpected ways. “When your relationship is breaking up, you hear yourself saying things, see yourself doing things that you normally wouldn't say or do,” Applegate said. “Good people do this.”
Mediation services can be found through referrals from attorneys, courts or bar associations. Some law schools, including IUB’s, offer mediation services. Applegate said Internet resources can be helpful as well, such as www.uptoparents.org and www.proudtoparent.org. Applegate and Billingham both recommend that divorcing parents also consult with their own attorneys, noting that the mediator does not serve as an attorney for any of the parties to the mediation.
Billingham can be reached at 812-855-5208 and billingh@indiana.edu.
Taking a vacation from fitness
A week or two away from the gym won’t have a major impact on your fitness level, but vacation-related weight gain and waning motivation can make returning to a workout routine more difficult, said Michelle Miller, clinical professor in the Department of Kinesiology in Indiana University Bloomington’s School of HPER. “Physiologically, you can stop exercising for up to about 10 days and you should still be able to pick up where you left off. But what actually happens is that people come back from being on a trip and don’t want vacation to be over. The real hurdle is not that you’ve lost your fitness base but that you don't want to get back to reality.” In addition to the mental challenge of resuming a routine, bringing home a few extra pounds can slow you down, Miller said. “I hear from people who come back from cruises that they gained five pounds in a week.” Sudden weight gain can derail workouts by causing people to feel discouraged, as well as physically uncomfortable, she said. Miller advises planning ahead to give your fitness commitment more staying power than your tan. “Be sure your motivation goes beyond wanting to look good on the beach, or you won’t have a reason to resume your workouts. Before your trip, decide and prioritize what you will need to do to transition back to your normal routine. Above all, recognize that vacation is vacation and at some point it has to end.”
Miller can be reached at 812-855-8167 and michmill@indiana.edu.
The bitter truth about candy tobacco
Candy and gum that resemble tobacco
products undermine nationwide efforts to prevent tobacco use among youth, said
Desiree Goetze, a researcher with the Indiana Prevention Research Center at
Indiana University Bloomington. “Despite all the efforts of prevention
professionals and concerned parents to dissuade children from using tobacco
products, candy stores in malls and neighborhoods continue to stock these mirror-image
candy cigarettes, snuff, chewing tobacco, pipes, and cigars. Kids as young
as four years old are getting the message that tobacco is cool and fun. Legislation
to ban candy tobacco has been proposed on numerous occasions, but manufacturers
continue to produce these goods that desensitize children to an addictive carcinogen,” Goetze
said.
Researchers from the IPRC offered the following tips for parents who wish to
limit their child’s access to candy tobacco products:
- Be aware there are many types of candy tobacco products including chocolate cigars and licorice pipes;
- Popular candy stores in malls tend to sell candy tobacco products. These products are typically placed on the lowest shelf in reach of small children;
- If you find your child using candy tobacco or asking about it, this is a good opportunity to talk about the negative effects of tobacco use;
- Let store managers know your concerns about candy tobacco products;
- If your child picks up the product, help the child realize that if they really just want bubble gum, there are many other better choices.
Goetze can be reached at 812-855-1237 and dgoetze@indiana.edu.
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