New professor makes waves in Dixon Center

Dr. Maria Elena Hallion, the new assistant professor of sports science, has helped to train much of the staff and set up the hours of operation for the Dixon Center. She believes in achieving balance in every aspect of life.

Ben Lunn

staff writer

Students coming to see Dr. Maria Elena Hallion don't have to worry about getting distracted in her office by all of the clutter. In fact, her office is pretty bare.

And don't even think about e-mailing her-her computer is not plugged in. She is still moving in and trying to get adjusted to her new position as assistant professor of thy sports science department.

Hallion is not completely new here this year. She was hired in April as the fitness director for the Dixon Center. Hallion was responsible for training much of the staff and

Dr. MarieElena Hallion Assistantprofessor of sportsscience

implementing some of the items necessary for the opening of the Dixon Center. For example, she set the hours of operation. In July, she was approached with a new job offer. She moved from staff to a full-time faculty position.

Hallion attended West Chester University as an undergraduate student in exercise science. Later she received a master's degree from East Stroudsburg in cardiac rehabilitation and her doctorate in health education from Temple University.

She grew up in southern New Jersey and currently lives with her husband of five years in a house that is three miles from the place where she grew up. She loves to bike ride and walk on the beach, making the area that she lives in all the more perfect for her. She loves being so close to Philadelphia, a city that she described as old and rich. She also enjoys having the beach just minutes away.

Balance, as she explains, is a key part of her life. "Balance with work and family and friends," said Hallion. "It all needs to be there, it all needs attention. I think a good skill is to balance it all."

Hallion 's life is full of balance in every aspect. She always tries to eat healthfully with fruits and vegetables, but she guiltily admits that some of her favorite foods are french fries and a good chicken steak sandwich. Reading and movies are two of her favorite pastimes, especially "tearjerkers" and "Forrest Gump." Hallion also loves to laugh-a little tidbit she hopes her students pick up on. Alongside all of the play, she enjoys running her own business. She is a partner in Health ProVisionaries, a company that gives on-site chair massages to workers of other companies. Typically, a company or its employees will pay Health ProVisionaries to come to their place of work and give on-site massages to the employees, who will remain sitting in a chair for their massage. This helps to reduce stress and increase employees' productivity. Her job here at Cabrini, however, is her ideal job. answers on page 9

"It's a blast," said Hallion. "I love my job. This job is what I've been working toward since 1992."

As an assistant professor of the sports science department, Hallion's job entails teaching classes and overseeing the internships for the sports science majors. She enjoys taking a hands-on role with the students and aiding them in the search for employment. A major goal of hers is to help the sports science program here become very visible in the area. She has already begun to receive positive feedback from companies in the field. Calls have been coming in constantly from employers looking for reliable staff, according to Hallion.

I have worked at Cabrini for 17 years. When I am not helping students or scheduling appointments, I like to spend as much time as I can with my three cats and two dogs. My favorite place to travel is Maine. One of my hobbies is making stuffed animals to give to family and friends as gifts.

I live in Broomall and have three children. The Poconos is my favorite place to travel, but someday I hope to visit Ireland. My favorite food is pasta. When I am not working at Cabrini, I am active in various committees and enjoy spending time with my children.

I exercise every day in the Dixon Center and take classes in yoga and tai chi. I love to travel and I have visited Norway, Sweden, London and Paris. My greatest wish is to visit the German Village of Oberammergau in the year 2000 to see the passion play that is performed there every 10 years. I love to sing and read about history.

I come to work at Cabrini each morning on the Blue Route. You will usually see me eating lunch at my desk. When I am not helping students, I enjoy reading children's literature and doing Jacobean embroidery. If I could go anywhere in the world, I would love to visit the North Pole to meet Santa Claus.

I live in the Philadelphia area and have worked at Cabrini for many years. When I am not at work, I love to travel to the beach, state parks and historical sites. You may find me reading about Revolutionary and Civil War history. I sing in a choir and enjoy spending time with my four grandchildren.