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Department of Kinesiology

Category: Spring 2019

A message from the department head

Craig HarmsWelcome to the 2019 Department of Kinesiology Spring newsletter.  We’re had a great year with much to recognize and celebrate.  We’re excited to transition to a new college name beginning June 1:  College of Health and Human Sciences.

I encourage you to read through our newsletter for interesting information from our department.  We have extraordinary faculty committed to providing over 650 undergraduate and 40+ graduate students with an excellent educational experience.  Cutting edge research from our faculty continues to explore the physiological and behavioral bases of physical activity on health outcomes.  Our faculty and students are creative and industrious as they successfully work together to achieve this goal.

Just a few of weeks ago, we celebrated with 32 outstanding undergraduate and graduate students at our annual scholarship banquet.  This was our largest banquet ever with nearly 150 students, parents, faculty, and guests in attendance. We were able to award a record number of scholarships!

Our Distinguished Lecture Series this year brought two prominent national and international speakers to campus.   Last Fall, Dr. Keri Schadler from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center presented “Exercise to improve chemotherapy efficacy:  Evidence in mice and men”, and Dr. Michelle Segar from the University of Michigan presented “Strike Gold:  Easy, new science-based messages and methods to achieve lasting exercise motivation across healthcare, wellness, and fitness contexts.” this Spring.   These lectures are posted on our department website.

We’ve also had many faculty and students recognized this year for their accomplishments which we’ve highlighted in the following pages.  Of particular note in this list is Dr. David Poole being recognized as a University Distinguished Professor, the highest honor bestowed on a faculty member at Kansas State University.  Dr Poole was also named the Kansas State University Coffman Chair for University Distinguished Teaching Scholar.  Dr. Katie Heinrich was named College of Human Ecology Outstanding Graduate Faculty member.

I’m also pleased that our Kinesiology Advisory Board met again this past Fall and Spring.  This is an outstanding group to work with and I’m excited about how they can contribute to the mission and vision of our department.   An update from David Brandenburg, who serves as president, is included.

We’re always glad to welcome alumni back and encourage you to stop by if you’re in the area.   We’ve made significant changes to our web site that you should visit, including a number of videos, that provides a more comprehensive look at the department (http://www.k-state.edu/kines/).

Thanks for all you do for K-State Kinesiology!

Dr. Craig Harms

Department Head

Becoming the College of Health and Human Sciences

Dear Kinesiology alumni and friends,

As I hope you heard back in December, the College of Human Ecology will become the College of Health and Human Sciences effective June 1.  Last year, I met with faculty and students, alumni, donors and key stakeholders of the college to gather feedback on this change. We received an extremely large number of supporters.  On December 12, 2018, the name change was officially approved by the Board of Regents. You can read the official University announcement here.

While the name is new, the college will still offer the same programs it has always offered. Our hope is that with a new name, our college becomes more recognizable at the national level and becomes easier for prospective students to understand what our college has to offer.

I look forward to what is next for our college where, “in a world focused on things, we focus first on people.”

Sincerely,

John Buckwalter

Betty L. Tointon Dean

College of Health and Human Sciences (effective June 1, 2019)

David Poole named University Distinguished Professor

MANHATTAN- Three Kansas State University professors have been named 2018 university distinguished professors, a lifetime title that is the highest honor the university bestows on its faculty members.

The professors receiving the distinction include Mary Beth Kirkham, professor of agronomy; David Poole, professor of kinesiology, and anatomy and physiology; and James Sherow, professor of history.

 

Continue reading “David Poole named University Distinguished Professor”

Internship Spotlight: Preston Judd

Program Information: Junior in Kinesiology

Internship Setting: Lafene Health Center Rehab Services

Hometown: Hayden, Alabama

Future Plans: Physical Therapist

Why did you choose this internship?

I chose to do an internship to get more hands on experience outside of the classroom and to be able to apply daily what I learn in my Kinesiology classes. This has enhanced my college educational experience. Continue reading “Internship Spotlight: Preston Judd”

Alumni Spotlight: Shane Thoreson

Shane Thoreson, M.D. is a Family Medicine Physician at Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville, Kansas.

Dr. Thoreson earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology at K-State in 2006 graduating Cum Laude.  While at K-State, he was highly involved in the K-States Singers along with other organizations.  He spent a summer in Izamal, Mexico serving through the K-State Community Service Program.   Dr. Thoreson was named an Outstanding Graduating Senior by the Dean of Student Life. Continue reading “Alumni Spotlight: Shane Thoreson”

Undergraduate Spotlight: Aidan Murray

Hometown: Salina, Kansas

Educational background (degrees earned): Graduate May 18, 2019 with a BS in Kinesiology

Program information (major/minor/etc.): Kinesiology

Research line/area (if applicable): Conducted research in Dr. Gina Besenyi’s Physical Activity Research in Community Settings (PARCS) Lab on developing a Park Prescription Program (Park Rx). Park Rx is aimed at getting healthcare providers to prescribe physical activity as they would any medication. Continue reading “Undergraduate Spotlight: Aidan Murray”

Doctoral Spotlight: Brittany Hollerbach

Hometown: Overland Park, Kansas

Educational background (degrees earned):

AA, Fire Science, Johnson County Community College

BS, Kinesiology, Kansas State University

MS, Kinesiology, Kansas State University

Ph.D., Kinesiology, Kansas State University

Program information (major/minor/etc.): Major: Kinesiology

Research line/area (if applicable): Firefighter behavioral health research with a focus on women in the fire service Continue reading “Doctoral Spotlight: Brittany Hollerbach”

Doctoral Spotlight: Shane Hammer

Hometown: Cherryvale, KS

Educational background (degrees earned):

Kansas State University B.S. in Kinesiology, 2015

Emphasis: Exercise Physiology

Kansas State University M.S. in Kinesiology, 2017

Thesis Title: “Perfusive and diffuse oxygen transport in skeletal muscle during incremental handgrip exercise”

Emphasis: Exercise Physiology

Program information (major/minor/etc.):

Ph.D. in Kinesiology, Expected Graduation Date: 2020

Emphasis: Integrative Physiology Continue reading “Doctoral Spotlight: Shane Hammer”