AHS E-News
Winter 2009
Posted: December 1, 2009

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In This Issue

Construction of Huff North Addition to Begin Soon

Huff North Addition

More than 24,000 square feet of state-of-the-art classroom, research, conference, and office facilities will be added to Huff Hall's north side, in a long-awaited construction project that is slated to get underway in January 2010. The addition will house the Center for Health, Aging, and Disability and the Master of Public Health degree program, and will serve as the hub of vibrant, interdisciplinary research and education efforts aimed toward improving the health, wellness, and quality of life needs of a diverse society. Learn more about the north addition.


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Online Degree Meets Needs of RST Professionals

In February 2010, the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism will graduate the first group of students to complete its online master's degree in recreation, sport, and tourism management. The online master's, one of the first of its kind in the nation, was launched in Fall 2008 in partnership with the University of Illinois Global Campus. Within a year, the online master's program had enrolled 97 students and emerged as a shining star among the offerings of the Global Campus, which is now being restructured. As part of that restructuring, RST will assume full ownership of the online degree, a move that Department Head Cary McDonald says will allow RST to make the program even more successful. Read more about the online RST master's degree.


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Kinesiology Professor Jeff Woods Delivers McCristal Lecture

Jeff Woods

For more than 20 years, Jeff Woods has been studying how exercise affects the immune system. He has amassed a number of impressive results, and made outstanding contributions to the literature on physical activity, inflammation, and the immune response. Dr. Woods was selected to be the 2009 King James McCristal Distinguished Scholar in recognition of his many significant achievements. His McCristal Lecture focused on one of his recent studies on the effects of cardiovascular exercise on the effectiveness of flu vaccines in older adults. Read more Dr. Woods.


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I-LEAP Program Receives National Award

The Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program (I-LEAP) received an Outstanding Advising Program Award from the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). The program uses mentoring, one-on-one counseling, tutoring, and workshops to help first-generation students, students from underrepresented groups, student athletes, and students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve academic, personal, and social success. I-LEAP boasts a retention rate better than 98 percent, and I-LEAP scholars earn higher grade point averages and are less likely to be put on academic probation than their peers. Read more about I-LEAP.


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Speaker Events Connect Students, Alumni

Speaker Events

Started in 2007, the AHS Alumni Speaker Series invites outstanding alumni back to campus to talk with current students about their careers. The various professional pursuits of featured alumni showcase the versatility of degrees within the College, and expose students to both traditional and non-traditional career paths. Events this semester have included alumni in the fields of otolaryngology, pediatric home care, hospital administration, safety coordination, park district administration, and not-for-profit agency leadership. Read more about the Alumni Speaker Series.


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Students Raise Money for Food Bank

Student Council

On November 12, the Student Council of the College of Applied Health Sciences collaborated with the Macy's "Come Together" campaign to host an appreciation dinner for AHS faculty and staff. Guests were asked to make donations to the Eastern Illinois Food Bank, which provides food through a network of more than 200 emergency food programs in 14 counties in eastern Illinois. Much to the delight of Student Council members, the event raised $500 for the food bank. "For every dollar received, seven meals can be provided to men, women, and children in our local area," explained Council member Diana Arellano. "The council was very excited to know that they will help to feed 3,500 people!"


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Homecoming Gallery

A good time was had by all at the College of Applied Health Sciences' tent party on October 9. Take a look!


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