Candice Brown, senior sport and exercise psychology major at West Virginia University, received the American Kinesiology Association Undergraduate Student Award for 2019-20 for the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences.
Brown, from Chapmanville, W.Va., was overwhelmed after hearing of her award nomination. “I am extremely honored and grateful to be selected for this award, but I attribute most of my success to my loving family, friends and mentors. Without their constant encouragement and support, I do not believe I would be where I am today.
“I would like to thank each of them for their part in my success, as well as acknowledge and thank all the wonderful faculty members I have had the pleasure of learning from in CPASS. My time spent at CPASS has felt like a home away from home, and I will certainly stay in touch with faculty next year, as I continue my education in the WVU Counseling Master’s program,” she said.
Brown participated in research with Scott Barnicle, teaching assistant professor and program coordinator for sport and exercise psychology. “Candice is an amazing young student with tremendous drive and determination. I have been lucky enough to see her develop over the past three years and is easily in the top-5 undergraduate students I have ever had in class,” Barnicle stated. Brown is a 4.0 student who has served as a tutor in the WVU athletic department for nearly two years.
Brown also serves the vice president of the SEP club and is a peer adviser in the SEP program, where she helps other students in coursework studies and scheduling. Additionally, she is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, as well as the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Each year, the AKA honors a select number of students from member departments, recommended by department faculty, whose academic and leadership records are distinctive.
The annual scholar awards are intended to recognize and promote academic excellence, further the dedication of accomplished students and promote kinesiology and its related fields.
The American Kinesiology Association will review all nominations and select national award winners, later to be noted on their website.