May 15, 2009

Four win Health Education and Recreation honors

by K.C. Jaehnig

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Department of Health Education and Recreation honored students and alumni April 16 during its annual Allen Symposium, named for the late John R. Allen, who chaired the department from 1983 until his death from cancer in 1993.

Those receiving awards included graduate student Ksenia Novikova of Russia, junior Amber K. Preston of Atlanta, Ga., and seniors Jacqueline D. Salemi of Bloomingdale and Joshua P. Sheehan of Crystal Lake. All will have their names listed on a departmental plaque.

Novikova won the William E. O’Brien Outstanding Graduate Student Award, comprising $400, a plaque and certificate. Named for the man who chaired the department from 1974 through 1983, the award recognizes academic scholarship, professionalism, honesty and integrity.

Preston won the Kathleen Ann Guilfoyle Distinguished Student Service Award, comprising a plaque and certificate. Named for a longtime Student Recreation Center staff member, the award recognizes leadership and dedication.

Salemi won the William H. Freeberg Therapeutic Recreation Award, comprising $200, a plaque and certificate. One of two awards named for a seminal figure in the department who founded outdoor programs and activities for those with disabilities, this one recognizes demonstrated commitment to working with that population. Salemi, past president of the Student Recreation Society, participates in professional conferences and an international peace camp in Ireland.

Sheehan won the William H. Freeberg Academic Achievement Award, comprising $200, a plaque and a certificate. This award recognizes academic performance, community service and professional contributions. Sheehan also won the Student Recreation Society Award as the undergraduate with the highest grade-point average and was named one of 25 outstanding seniors.