Eppley Institute offers grants for interpretation research

The Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands at Indiana University works to enhance the quality of natural, cultural, and recreational experiences for all people. For the first time in 2014 Eppley will offer research grants in the field of interpretation up to $3,000 for students and faculty members interested in advancing knowledge in the area of interpretation. 

Executive Director Steve Wolter said, “The Eppley Institute wanted to fund these grants in support of our partnership with the National Park Service and to advance knowledge in interpretation. We feel this is a good opportunity contribute further to the field.”

Committee member and co-chair Doug Knapp further reinforced the importance of the grants stating  that, “the field of interpretation is an important aspect of natural and cultural centers throughout the country. This educational/programmatic aspect of federal, state and local resource sites attempts to inform literally millions of visitors to the natural and cultural resource associated with these parks, preserves and monuments. This grant program is a way to support researchers to help find most effective ways to conduct this important service.”

Interested in applying?

Any student enrolled in a Master’s degree program with an interpretation component at any university or new faculty member (in first two years of teaching) is eligible to apply.

Applications will be reviewed by a committee, and it is anticipated that two grants will be awarded this year.

The application is available on the Eppley Institute website, and materials are due February 7, 2014. Questions should be directed to program manager Nona Capps at nfcapps@indiana.edu or 812-855-0864. All applicants will be notified of the committee decision by March 7, 2014.

Ka He named a fellow of the American College of Epidemiology



Ka He

Ka He, Chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and professor at the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, has been named a fellow of the American College of Epidemiology.

Dr. He received his ScD in Nutritional Epidemiology from Harvard University, MPH from Tufts University and MD from Soochow University in China. He served as an Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University and a tenured Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. He is an elected fellow of American Heart Association (AHA) and a fellow of American College of Nutrition (ACN).

Dr. He’s primary research interests lie in nutritional epidemiology, specifically, diet and nutrients in relation to chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Dr. He is the principal investigator of several NIH-supported projects, including trace elements and cardiovascular disease risk factors; trace elements and risk of stroke; amino acids, protein and obesity; fatty acids and ischemic stroke; and dietary supplement use and risk of pancreatic cancer. Dr. He is also the principal investigator on a research project supported by the American Cancer Society examining diet, supplement use, and colon cancer.

The American College of Epidemiology is the professional organization dedicated to continued education and advocacy for epidemiologists in their efforts to promote good science and the public health. It serves the interests of its members through sponsorship of scientific meetings, publications and educational activities, recognizing outstanding contributions to the field and advocating for issues pertinent to epidemiology.

Mowatt Receives Academy of Leisure Sciences 2014 Excellence in Teaching Award

The Academy of Leisure Sciences is dedicated to the intellectual advancement of leisure sciences by recognizing outstanding scholars, holding meetings and symposia, and facilitating activities that promote research and scholarly activity. Each year the Academy hosts the ALS Teaching Institute, designed to facilitate the discussion of teaching and learning, the practices of instruction and administration, and the importance of leisure among educators, but to also highlight and celebrate their accomplishments.

During the event, the Academy honors the field’s most talented educators with the Excellence in Teaching Award, recognizing a colleague who has demonstrated outstanding ability as a teacher of leisure services over the course of her or his career. The 2014 award will honor SPH Associate Professor Dr. Rasul Mowatt of the department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies for his contributions to the field and dedication to education in the field.

Athletic Training Students Provide Support in Crisis

As athletic trainers for Bloomington High School North, SPH students Loriann Mathews and Heather Mickelsen aren’t unaccustomed to making quick, sometimes split second decisions, to provide support for the athletes they serve. On October 18, 2013 though, they were asked to use the knowledge and instincts typically reserved for the field or gym in a less familiar environment.
 
While traveling with the Bloomington High School North football team and athletic trainer Orlin Watson to a game at Terre Haute South they came across an accident involving two cars, one of which was overturned in a ditch.  With the team bus stopped and coaches running to assist, Watson, Mathews, and Mickelsen also exited their vehicle to provide support.  “When we came to a stop and saw the two car accident there was no question about it, we were going to get out and help,” Mickelsen said.
 
As Watson and Mickelsen attended to the victims in the overturned car, Mathews assisted with the assessment of those in the other vehicle. With one victim lacking any response or vital signs, CPR was begun while others received treatment for their injuries.  Mathews and Mickelsen continued to assess the needs of other victims on the scene and provide support until emergency personnel arrived.
 
 “Without the education I have received through the School of Public Health, I would not have been able to assist in any way.  I have taken many classes through the Athletic Training curriculum that allowed me to gain the skills and knowledge needed for a situation such as this,” Mathews noted.
 
Both Mathews and Micklesen were recently honored for their service by the MCCSC school district for their leadership and assistance during the crisis.
 
 “It was a hard situation and everybody showed great character in their response,” Mathews said. 

APHA Call for Abstracts

In November 2013, more than 13,000 attendees including representatives from the School of Public Health-Bloomington converged on Boston, Massachusetts for the 141st American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting and Exposition. As one of the largest events around the globe bringing together health professionals to discuss and share health related research and policy, plans are already in place for this year’s upcoming event.

From November 15-19th, the 142nd Annual Meeting and Expo will convene in New Orleans, Louisiana. With up to 1,000 presentations expected to be offered to attendees the call for abstracts from potential presenters has begun.
Interested in presenting?

Submit an Abstract
Abstracts related to all areas of public health, including those that coincide with the 2014 theme "Healthography: How Where You Live Affects Your Health and Well-being,” are being accepted. Deadlines range from  Feb. 10-14 depending on topic area. You do not need to be a member of APHA to submit an abstract. However, if your abstract is accepted for presentation, the presenting author MUST become an individual member of APHA and register for the Annual Meeting.

Learn More About Submissions

McCormick Honored with the American Therapeutic Recreation Association’s Presidential Award

In October of 2013, the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) hosted its annual conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania bringing together researchers, practitioners, and students from around the country.

As part of the annual event, awards were distributed to those who have demonstrated professional success within the field and who have provided exceptional service to the organization. This year Dr. Bryan McCormick, current chair of the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Studies was honored with the organization’s Presidential Award.

Selected at the discretion of the organization’s President for distinguished service, this year’s award honored Dr. McCormick’s work in conjunction with IU SPH Alumni Dr. Gretchen Snethen with ATRA in analyzing the results and completing a summary that was presented to the ATRA membership committee regarding the ATRA Standards of Practice Survey and Evaluation Tool.

Student Spotlight: Elise Gahan

Elise Gahan considered Indiana University during her final years of high school specifically because of the superior programs offered by the School of Public Health and her interest in pursuing a degree in community health. Although raised in Omaha, Nebraska Elisa now calls Bloomington home as she earns her undergraduate degree in community health with minors in mathematics and psychology.

 

After graduation, Elise intends to continue her education by pursuing a graduate degree. “This semester has peaked my interest in environmental health and its importance to many aspects of life, so I plan to focus on environmental epidemiology in my graduate work,” she said. 

 In addition to her course work, Elise has taken advantage of the many opportunities the School of Public Health has to offer, participating in workshops on resume building and effective networking, as well as taking part in a leadership class to further her personal development.  

She has also served as a part of the SPH Student Ambassadors, which has allowed her to serve the school, meet influential graduates, and interact with faculty members.  

“It is great to see how concerned faculty such as Dean Torabi are with the wellbeing and interests of students at all levels.  I look forward to the upcoming years of my education and to becoming more involved with all that the School of Public Health as to offer,” she noted.   

A balanced view of sex "addiction"



Deb Herbenick

Dr. Deb Herbenick, co-director of the IU Center for Sexual Health Promotion and research scientist at the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington, provided a balanced view on sex "addiction" on a recent episode of the Katie Couric's talk show.

Watch the video.

SPH Support Staff Council Provides Support During Holiday Season

On December 16, 2013 the School of Public Health Support Staff Council offered SPH Faulty and Staff a chance to celebrate the holiday season in good company at the annual Holiday Luncheon. In addition to great food, a silent auction was featured for the third year at the event raising $920.00 in support of a holiday gift donation to the residents of Garden Villa Nursing Home.

"The silent auction is a way for the council to make money so that we can help people during the holidays.　 We chose Garden Villa this year because so many in nursing homes are sometimes forgotten during the Christmas season. We thought just giving the residents a small gift would make their holiday season a little brighter," said Support Staff Council President Sheila Glasgow.

Thanks to the generosity of SPH Faculty and Staff, gifts were delivered to 152 residents during lunch time on Christmas Eve. Each resident received a warm fleece blanket and gift bag filled Chap Stick, a comb, toothpaste, denture supplies, hand lotion, perfume or cologne, and some candy. With gifts to spare, the Council delivered the remaining bags to the Shalom Community Center for distribution among their guests on Christmas Eve.

Eppley Institute News: Impact of Climate Change on National Parks

The Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands, the National Park Service’s Interpretive Development Program, and the NPS Climate Change Response Program (CCRP) have produced three videos that illustrate the impacts of climate change on national parks. 

The videos were filmed on location at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, Everglades National Park, and Kenai Fjords National Park by IU Professor Emeritus Ron Osgood and cameraman Matt Bockelman, with assistance from NPS park ranger Matt Holly and staff members from each park.

 

Available on the CCRP website, the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park video explores species loss, precipitation, and fire; the Everglades National Park video explores sea level rise; and the Kenai Fjords National Park video explores glacial changes. A fourth video, produced by the CCRP office in Washington, DC, is also available on the site. It explores phenology and citizen science at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

These videos are part of planned training that is aimed at NPS interpreters presenting programs on climate change. This training is currently under development and should be available in 2014. Additional videos for this training are also being completed by the CCRP office in Washington, DC.

Alumni @ Work: Kent Hegenauer

 

Kent Hegenauer

Sr. Associate Athletic Director

University of Southern Mississippi

 

Kent Hegenauer always wanted to be a part of the Sports Industry, specifically College Athletics. “It brings together people from different backgrounds to support one common team, and I think there is something special to that,” he says.

As the Senior Associate Athletic Director for the University of Southern Mississippi, Hegenauer has not only become part of the industry, but an integral one, ensuring the success of a major athletic program. With a degree in Sports Marketing and Management from the School of Public Health Hegenauer felt confident coming out of school that he had a solid knowledge base and business background that put him ahead of the curve compared with others in his peer group.  There is no “normal day,” he says. “You can plan your day all you want, however in athletics, we are in the people business and many times things outside of your control will dictate how you spend your time and resources.”

 

When asked what advice he has for current student or new graduates he’s quick to note the importance of building and maintaining a professional network. “Your greatest resource later in your career is the network you build.  By even volunteering, you begin building your network.  Often times it is your network that is going to help you open the door for the job interview that you really want,” he said. “A college Athletic Department is in great need of people to help out, and I don’t think I have ever turned down a student who wanted to volunteer and learn.”

 

 

 

 

North American Society for the Sociology of Sport Graduate Diversity Scholarship renamed Gary A. Sailes Graduate Diversity Scholarship

Established in the late 1970’s the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (NASSS) exists to promote, stimulate, and encourage the sociological study of play, games, sport and contemporary physical culture. As an active member of the organization since 1984, IU SPH Associate Professor of Kinesiology Dr. Gary Sailes is dedicated to assisting those who have an interest in the field of study.

In an effort to support student academic endeavors, Dr. Sailes endowed a scholarship several years ago to support doctoral students of color who have a scholarly interest in a diversity issue within the Sociology of Sport.  His motivation for the endowment he says wasn’t one thing in particular, but just part of who he is.

“Altruism, servitude and mentorship have been programmed into my head since I can remember.  It is in my DNA.  I have always been the type of individual who gave a stray cat a home, give cash to homeless individuals standing on street corners with signs, give to the United Way, United Negro College Fund, etc.  That is just who I am,” he said.

While the original name for the scholarship endowed by Dr. Sailes several years ago was the Graduate Diversity Scholarship, this past year at the organization’s annual conference the Board of Directors voted to rename the scholarship the Gary A. Sailes Graduate Diversity Scholarship in honor of Dr. Sailes and his continued support.

IU School of Public Health students report on local park program and facility usage

IU SPH students are often asked to step outside the classroom and apply course concepts in a real world context and explore ways to improve health locally as well as on a state, national, and international level. In November, a group of IU students presented findings from a course project designed to examine four different Bloomington park programs specifically targeting the city’s softball leagues, arts events, senior citizens activities, and the B-Line Trail. Bloomington Board of Parks Commissioners heard the reports based on surveys taken by the students of local resident users. 

Students studying the city’s B-Line trail found that less residents were using the trail for walking as they were for biking, and that users in general were predominantly white. Another group looked into the motivation of participants in the city’s softball leagues, and found that socialization outranked exercise as the motivating factor for getting involved. Paula McDevitt, Recreation Services Director for the Parks Department, said information like this could help the department as it does long-term planning.

IU SPH Students Travel to West Virginia to Explore Impact of Energy Production

This October James Farmer, Assistant Professor in the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies, teamed up with Associate Professor Vicky Meretsky from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) to offer 27 students and 2 visiting scholars the opportunity to see firsthand the impact of energy production, specifically coal extraction, on rural residents. Students had the opportunity to visit several sites including a restored stream system, hydro plant, wind farm, and mountain top removal site, as well as hear from college students in the area studying the issue, industry representatives, environmental managers and advocates, as well as local residents and community organizers engaged in eco-restoration.

The trip allowed students the opportunity to witness individuals from the coal and gas industries and those engaged in watershed protection and restoration working together to solve human-environmental problems, “…problems that have had and will continue to have a profound impact on human health and quality of life,” Farmer noted.  He hopes that students became more aware of the need for collaboration in developing solutions to energy production problems, but that also the“…learned where their energy comes from and what it takes (and how it affects both people and the natural environment we depend on) to turn on a light switch.”