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The newly-established Willie and Linda Akers Endowed Scholarship will support qualified students in the West Virginia University  College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences.

The $25,000 endowment will focus on scholarships for undergraduate students at CPASS, with first preference for students in the athletic coaching education major.

Like many students entering college, Danielle Funk was not sure what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. She didn't switch into the CPASS sport and exercise psychology program until the spring semester of her sophomore year.

“I can honestly say it was the best academic decision I made while at WVU. CPASS has different opportunities available and provides its students with skills that are applicable in a variety of future careers. While I am passionate about and want to stay with SEP, I know fellow CPASS students who want to use their CPASS undergraduate degree to pursue nursing, business administration, education and physical therapy. 

Sport and exercise psychology student Alyxis Harper started her freshman year at WVU in August 2013 and had to overcome a significant challenge to complete her degree. Harper was scheduled to graduate in June 2017, however, a life-changing event in her first year forced Harper to reevaluate her plans, including the possibility of deciding to drop out of school.  

Harper became pregnant during her second semester and refused any option other than to have and keep her baby. “Having a baby could have changed my college career and my ability to complete college at all, however, when I was faced with this challenge, my parents came to my rescue and agreed to take care of my baby so I could complete college,” Harper explained.

Drs. Lynne and Andy Ostrow understand the value of education. As West Virginia University faculty members, the duo each spent 35 years helping students achieve their dreams at the University. Now, they are taking that passion for education one step further by providing $50,000 for scholarships at WVU.

The Ostrow International Achievement Award ($25,000) will provide financial support to enhance study abroad and international travel experiences for undergraduate students in the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (CPASS). Additionally, the funds may be used to support students’ participation in faculty-led overseas travel.

A fourth year sport and exercise psychology doctoral student, Stefanee Van Horn, has received an NCAA graduate student grant to support her research: “An Examination of Coach Provided Social Support to Injured Athletes.” Van Horn is the second CPASS student in two years to achieve the NCAA award. Megan Byrd was the first.

Van Horn explains why the award is important to her. “Receiving a grant as a graduate student feels fantastic. It has helped me continue to see the value in the research I am engaging in and helps me demonstrate my abilities as a researcher.

A WVU physical education teacher education graduate is putting a new spin on physical activity in southern West Virginia. Chris Roth, Eastern Greenbrier Middle School physical education teacher and 2016 West Virginia Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year, will visit campus on Friday, November 18, 2016 at 11 a.m., CPASS room G08. His presentation is entitled Re-imaging Middle School Physical Education in Greenbrier County, WV. The event is free and open to the public.

Roth, along with his Greenbrier County colleagues, introduced mountain biking, archery, disc golf and slack lining into middle school physical education. These curricular changes occurred in partnership with WVU CPASS faculty and were funded by a Carol M. White Physical Education Program grant, through the U.S. Department of Education.

Annie Machamer, PETE master’s grad and current EdD student, earned the Dance Educator of the Year award at the West Virginia Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance conference, October 20-21.

Machamer is thankful for the experiences she received from the WVAHPERD organization. “The conference as a whole allowed me to be exposed to a wide variety of opportunities, learning from other educational leaders and networking within my profession,” Machamer explained.

A number of WVU Physical Education Teacher Education students and faculty attended the West Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance conference on October 20-21. This is the first of a series of stories celebrating their success at the conference.

Obi Atkinson, PETE undergraduate student, won the Bea N. Orr Student Award, presented to outstanding students in the field.

Armand Trotto, athletic coaching education graduate, has earned a sports performance coaching position with Parisi Speed School, at Healthquest in Flemington, NJ. Trotto trains athletes of all ages and sports.

“At Parisi we run classes for groups of athletes ages 7-11 in our Jump Start program. We have classes for our athletes, ages 12-14, in our Total Performance 1. Lastly, we have classes for our athletes who are ages 15 and up called Total Performance 2,” said Trotto. 

Katheleen Amaefule, visiting scholar in sport management and administration from Nigeria, is spending the fall semester at West Virginia University. Amaefule is one of eight visiting scholars on campus, hosted by the West Virginia Council of International Programs. WVCIP, a professional development program, fosters training and work related opportunities with cross-cultural and multidisciplinary dimension.

Amaefule holds a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in sports science from Olabisi Onabanjo University and a master’s degree in sport management from Ahmadu Bello University. Amaefule is a member of various council and associations.