College of Education and Human Services
Department of Exercise Science and Physical Education

Update #4 April 28, 2009

 

 

 

Message from Interim Chair, Sue Schwager
 
 

The end of the semester is upon us! While the time seems to have flown by, we accomplished a lot and I congratulate  the faculty and staff on all of your hard work. Here is a sampling of our semester’s accomplishments:

bulletWe have hired a new faculty member in our Athletic Training Education Program, Fred Gardin. Fred is completing his PhD in Athletic Training at the University of South Carolina and will be a welcome addition to our overworked Athletic Training Faculty. Congratulations to the Search Committee, chaired by Dave Middlemas on a job well done.
 
bulletWe have revised the Adult Fitness Concentration – now an Exercise Science Major and have received the Dean’s enthusiastic support as we move forward with this excellent curriculum revision. Congratulations to the Adult Fitness Committee, chaired by Dick Tobin
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bulletWe have been granted approval to our proposed revisions to the Teacher Education Curriculum – the ‘sport modules’ will now be 3 credit courses and have been revised to better reflect current curricular approaches to teaching sport. Congratulations to the Teacher Education Committee, chaired by Desi.
 
bulletThe University Gen Ed Committee approved PEMJ 227 Social Problems in Sport as a K3 – Social Science course at their March 10th meeting. Congratulations to the Department Curriculum Committee, chaired by Klara Gubacs-Collins


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Items of Interest

Panzer renovations will be completed this summer, beginning of August at the latest, according to Holy Gera. Desi and I met with Holly, Brian McLaughlin, Rob Chesney, and Leslie Jenkins to discuss some of the logistics relative to building access, equipment storage, and other topics. Holly has, once again, offered to conduct a tour of the facility before we all scatter for the summer and I encourage you to take her up on the offer. Please let me know if you’re interested in a tour, and I will set it up with Holly. There are a limited number of hard-hats available so we may need to set up two tours and Holly has graciously offered to accommodate our needs.

Request for a new line – On behalf of the Department, I will be submitting a request for a new line to the Dean by the end of the semester. I met with the Dean to discuss the feasibility of the request, and based on our enrollment data, she encouraged me to pursue the line. The position description will emphasize expertise in teaching the science-based courses in the department (our most glaring need based on student enrollment figures) and I will be distributing a draft of the position announcement shortly for your input.

Graduate Assistants – we now have five graduate assistant positions in the department. The four current graduate assistants’ appointments continue into next year and I will be interviewing candidates for the fifth position in the next few weeks

Annual Panzer Convocation was held on April 21. Thirty eight of our students received awards that are sponsored by the Panzer Trust and individual alumni.  Judy LoBianco, former student and supervisor of Health and Physical Education at the South Orange- Maplewood school district was keynote. Many thanks to the organization committee chaired by Dr. Klara Gubacs - Collins

Officers of the Panzer Student Association

Award Recipients

Tom Perillo, Panzer Alumni Jennie Murphy, PSA president, Dr. Susan Schwager, Interim Chair

 


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Faculty Happenings

Professor Tim Sullivan is completing his transition to retirement year and was honored by the Panzer Student Association. The senior class plaque bearing Tim's name and likeness was dedicated to Tim for his 42 years of service to the department.

 

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Adjunct Happenings

Meet Martha Lasky

Martha Lasky has been teaching dance courses for our department for the last 25 years. When asked about her tenure with the department, Martha said:

"I have been with E.S.P.E. since the old horse and buggy Panzer days, when we jockeyed for floor space with the baseball and basketball teams. My background in dance and theater has prepared me well for the ups and downs, ins and outs, twists and turns of teaching at Montclair. I love the Montclair kids- they are the light of my life.!!!!"

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Staff Happenings

Ed and Angel worked together to help students navigate the treacherous waters of registration for Fall, 2009 classes. With Ed’s help, I have added sections of a couple of the high demand major courses and with Angel’s help, students have been able to locate the advisers with whom they needed to meet


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Upcoming Dates of Interest

May 14th CEHS Convocation

May 17th Graduate Convocation

May 22nd 2009 Commencement


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Graduate Ass't Highlight

Spotlight on Christine Staunch  – Graduate Assistant from 2008-2010

Meet Christine Staunch

Ms Staunch has been active in sports and various forms of physical activity throughout her life. She competed in many sports such as basketball, softball, volleyball, cheerleading and baton twirling.  She has also studied dance and gymnastics for many years.  Baton Twirling has always been her first love.  Having been involved for over 25 years, she has represented the USA in international and world level competition and have won countless state, regional and national titles.  She has been a United States Twirling Association Certified Judge for 13 years and a certified coach for 15 years.  Four of those 15 years she has had the opportunity of being President and Director of her own twirling organization.  She also holds several other certifications including AFFA Certified Personal Trainer, Russian Kettlebell Certification, and Group Fitness Instructor.  She graduated NJCU with a BS in Criminal Justice.  Currently she is employed as a Personal Trainer at The Studio in Bayonne, NJ.

This semester, in her GA role, Christine has been teaching a section of Fitness Activities, assisting Dr. Alexander with the Monday Swim Program, and assisting Dr. Masterson with her research.

 

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