HES NEWS

The Department of Health and Exercise Science was selected to participate in the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s (NSCA) Education Recognition Program (ERP), which recognizes departments that offer curricula tailored to train students for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exams. We are the only ERP recognized CPT program in Oklahoma and are one of only two CSCS programs in the state. Because of this recognition, our students qualify for a $50 discount on the exam registration fees.  The NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exams will be offered on the University of Oklahoma campus on December 16, 2007. 

Other news:

• Dr. Mary Dinger was promoted to Full Professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science during the Spring of 2008.
• Dr. Jeff Stout won the GNC-sponsored Nutritional Research Achievement Award at the National Strength and Conditioning Association's (NSCA) National Convention in July, 2008.
• Eric Ryan won the National Strength and Conditioning Association's (NSCA) Student Oral Research Award for his presentation in Las Vegas in July, 2008.
• Abbie Smith won the National Strength and Conditioning Association's (NSCA) Student Poster Research Award for her presentation in Las Vegas in July, 2008.
• Abbie Smith won the International Society of Sports Nutrition's (ISSN) Student Research Award for her presentation in Las Vegas in June, 2008.
• Eric Ryan received the HES Doctoral Student Research Award 2007-08.
• Abbie Smith won the G. Michael Sims Graduate Merit Scholarship for 2007-08, which honors an HES Master of Science student for outstanding academic performance.
• Pauline Stockdale retired from the university and HES after nearly 40 years of service on June 30, 2007. Congratulations and best wishes in retirement!
• Dr. Travis Beck, PhD – University of Nebraska, will join the department as a new Assistant Professor in August, 2007.
• Dr. Debra Bemben and Dr. Mike Bemben received Outstanding Faculty Awards from the OU Student Association during the Spring of 2007 Faculty Awards Ceremony.
• Eric Ryan received the HES Doctoral Student Research Award 2006-07.
• HES students were awarded the top prizes in division for Education and the Professions at the Graduate College’s 2007 Graduate Research Poster Session.  The winners were Ian Palmer (PhD student - 1st place), Murat Karabulut (PhD student – 2nd place), and Vanessa Sherk (MS student – 3rd place)
• Eric Ryan won the Central States Chapter - American College of Sports Medicine's (CSC-ACSM) Student Research Award in Springfield, MO, in October, 2007.
• Vanessa Sherk and Trent Herda shared the G. Michael Sims Graduate Merit Scholarship for 2006-07, which honors an HES Master of Science student for outstanding academic performance.
• Sarah Boyer received the 2006-07 Mary Anne Price Merit Scholarship, which honors an HES undergraduate student for outstanding academic performance.
• Ashley Meiers was the first recipient of the Virginia Morris scholarship, which honorsundergraduatestudent who most exhibits excellence in scholarship and the desire to pursue a career as a school or community educator.