139113 SRU Mag Back NEW - Slippery Rock University

College of
HEALTH • ENVIRONMENT • SCIENCE
School of Physical Therapy; Departments of Allied Health, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, Exercise and Rehabilitative Sciences, Geography,
Geology and the Environment, Mathematics, Nursing, Parks and Recreation, Environmental Education, and Psychology; the Robert A. Macoskey Center
for Sustainable Systems Education and Research;
Exercise science major carries
out groundbreaking research
on endurance
In what is thought to be the first study of its
kind, exercise science major Valerie Williams
measured the temporary flexibility loss
runners experience after a long-distance race.
Her groundbreaking research earned her the
Undergraduate Student Research Award at
the 27th annual Mid-Atlantic Chapter of
the America College of Sports Medicine
conference this fall.
Senior Valerie Williams, who conducted groundbreaking
research this fall on flexibility loss experienced by runners, checks
the pulse of graduate student Joe Moss. Williams is an expert on
conditioning and endurance. Behind them is Dr. Jeff Lynn,
assistant professor of exercise science and Williams’ adviser on
her important research project.
Williams, a senior, detected flexibility
loss between the knees and waist by using
four motion tests on runners before and
after they ran a 100-miler in Ohio.
“To our knowledge, she was the first to
measure significant decrease in flexibility,”
said SRU’s Dr. Jeff Lynn, assistant professor
of exercise science and her adviser.
Measuring flexibility has applications to
general conditioning, injury prevention,
rehabilitation, athletic training and wellness
care, he said.
Williams is a standout student at SRU.
She has a 3.9 grade-point average and is cochair
of the social committee for the
Exercise Science Society, a peer leader for
Fyrst Seminar, a freshmen orientation
program, and an anatomy tutor.
Nursing professor lauded
as technology pioneer
For her
leadership in
promoting the
use of
computers in
nursing
education and
health care,
Slippery Rock
University nursing Professor Ramona
Nelson has been named a 2004 fellow by
the American Academy of Nursing.
“The 2004 inductees are nurse leaders
who have been identified by their peers as
pathfinders in the nursing discipline,” Joan
L. Shaver, president of the academy, said.
Nelson, a professor at SRU since 1994,
is a pioneer in nursing informatics, which
combines computer information and
nursing science to create innovative
approaches to delivery of health care.
SRU’s Colleen Cooke one of
four in nation honored by
American Therapeutic
Recreation Association
For her
leadership,
published
writings and
teaching
excellence,
Slippery Rock
University
associate
professor of parks and recreation/
environmental education Colleen Cooke
has received a 2004 Certificate of
Recognition for Meritorious Service from
the American Therapeutic Recreation
Association. She was one of four recipients
nationwide.
In addition, she has served
as a medical staff member for the Jimmie
Heuga Center in Edwards, Colo., for 17
years. The nonprofit organization provides
workshops for those with multiple sclerosis.
MS Society names physical
therapy instructor Susan
Kushner ‘volunteer of the year’
Susan Kushner
embodies the
caring spirit at
SRU, a
character trait
that did not go
unnoticed this
fall: The
National
Multiple Sclerosis Society named Kushner,
associate professor of physical therapy,
volunteer of the year for her 16 years of
service to the organization.
Kushner has volunteered at the local and
national levels, giving speeches, teaching
classes and serving on numerous
committees.
U.S. Phil English, R-3rd of Erie (center), came
to campus recently to help launch SRU’s Center
on Disability and Health. The center helps those
with disabilities develop more healthy lifestyles
by providing access to adapted aquatics,
gymnastics and horseback riding, as well as
educational materials. English helped obtained
$161,000 and $125,000 grants for the center.
The Women’s National Wheelchair Basketball
Association was so impressed with SRU when
it hosted its national tournament on campus a
year ago, it is coming back for the ‘05
tournament Feb. 24-26. All games are free.
38 The Rock Winter 2005