Kinesiology and Physical Education Educators honored at Conference

The Share the Wealth Physical Education Conference, sponsored by the Valdosta State University department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, honored three former department employees at its 20th annual conference held at Jekyll Island, Ga. this past January. According to Dr. Stan Andrews, department professor and marketing director for the conference, the goal of the conference is to promote the physical education profession and to provide a venue for physical educators to share their talents and learn new and varied ways to enhance physical education programs in their schools.

Dr. Andrews presented the conference co-directors and former professors Judy Phillips and Dr. Deborah J. Baber with the naming of a scholarship in their honor. “The Phillips-Baber Share the Wealth Scholarship” honors the work of Phillips and Baber in perpetuating the conference.

“Ms. Phillips and Dr. Baber have devoted twenty years of their lives to ensuring the STW conference continues to grow and be a success,” Dr. Andrews said. “I have worked with the conference for 16 of the 20 years and without Ms. Phillips and Dr. Baber at the helm, it would have folded long ago.

In addition, the late Dr. John Merriman, former department head, was honored with an award in his name. “The Merriman-Puckett Young Professional Award” will provide financial assistance to a young professional to attend the conference. Mr. Don Puckett was also recognized in the naming of this award.

For more information, please contact the department of Kinesiology and Physical Education at (229) 333 - 7161.