Fall 2016: The Benefits of Outside Play

REC INSIDER FALL | 2016

: Y R O T S COVER The Benefits of

OUTSIDE PLAY

RECreate Yourself.

From the Director Welcome to the latest edition of the Rec Insider!

FEATURES + COVER STORY ON...

4 SPOTLIGHT Anna Niemeyer, Outdoor Pursuits Brittany Morriss, Aquatics & Safety Katie Taylor, Facilities & Member Services

CORNER 7 RECIPE Autumn Apple and Pear Salad Butternut Squash & Spinach Lasagna Salted Caramel Apple Crisp

& WELLNESS 8 HEALTH Creativity, it’s Good for Your Health STORY 10 COVER Benefits of Outside Play THE OUTDOORS 12 DISCOVER Pineywoods, Hill Country, & The Ozarks NEWS 16 ALUMNI Michelle “Weez” Wentzel

I am writing this today after two days filled with staff training. Our Safety Day ensures that all of our employees are certified in CPR and First Aid with the goal of staying skilled and confident enough to use the training if the need arises. Our Common Training today Ken Morton consisted of Track 1 for our new employees and then a self-awareness activity for everyone that focused on individuals learning their personality styles, an appreciation of other’s differences, and hopefully how to be better team members by understanding themselves and the needs of others they may work with.

That means it is time for the new school year to start and we are excited and ready to serve our campus community.

From move-in, to our Decades party to the start of fitness classes, intramurals and outdoor trips, we are eager to see all the students back on campus and using the services we provide. As you will learn inside this issue we have a few new faces to help us meet that goal.

You can also discover ways that creativity is good for you, the benefits of playing in the outdoors, learn some new recipes and check in with one of our great Alums Michelle “Weez” Wentzel.

Since this is a busy time, I have got to run but check out all the great things we have to offer and if you get the chance come back to Nac for a visit, Axe ‘Em, Jacks! we’d love to see you! And as always…..

Cody Kuykendall Assistant Director Facilities & Member Services Grace Saldaña-Romero Business Supervisor Kelley Consford Administrative Assistant Travis Lankford Assistant Director Competitive Sports & Camps Chris Morriss Coordinator Intramural Sports & Camps Steven Whitman Coordinator Outdoor Pursuits Dan Harbuck Challenge Course Manager Katie Yandell Coordinator Aquatics & Safety Amie Simmons Coordinator Fitness & Wellness Jessica Waguespack Coordinator Employee Wellness Sarah Kouliavtsev Coordinator Promotions & Sponsorships Graduate Assistants: Sonia Nieto - Fitness & Wellness Katie Taylor - Facilities & Member Services Brittany Morriss - Aquatics & Safety Anna Niemeyer - Outdoor Pursuits

FALL / 2016

HAPPENINGS & EVENTS

For additional details on events and special hours, visit www.SFASU.edu/CampusRec.

SEPTEMBER

15th / OP Interest Mtg: Neches River Paddle 22nd / SFA Rec’s 9th Birthday!

1st / ZUMBAfest

7th / OP Registration Ends: Day at the Lake

2nd / IMS Registration Ends: Flag Football, 2v2 Sand Volleyball, 6v6 Dodgeball, Inner Tube Water Polo

8th / Learn-To-Swim Registration Ends

23rd / IMS Registration Ends: Volleyball, Racquetball Singles

8th / Football Combine

24th / Tailgates Games @ Homer Bryce Stadium

2nd / Registration Ends: Lumberjack Fitness Academy 5th / Labor Day: All Facilities Closed

OCTOBER 4th / 2v2 Spikeball

♦●9th / Parents’ Night Out

24th / SFA Parents’ Day

10th / Tailgate Games @ Homer Bryce Stadium

28th / Fall Fit Fest

♦●14th / Parents’ Night Out

5th / OP Interest Mtg: Intro to Backpacking

15th / Tailgate Games @ Homer Bryce Stadium

5th / Wellness Seminar

25th / SFA Rec Job Fair

8th / Nature Near You: Discover Nacogdoches

29th / Jacks on Belay Climbing Competition

14th / IMS Registration Ends: Soccer

NOVEMBER 1st / Homecoming Tie Dye 2nd / Wellness Seminar 3rd / Lumberjack Open Climb

♦●

6th / WOW Kickball Tournament

5th / Tailgate Games @ Homer Bryce Stadium 5th / SFA Homecoming 5K

31st / Halloween 31st / Spooky Spin 8th / Election Day

12th / SFA Showcase Saturday

8th / OP Interest Mtg: Backpacking Eagle Rock Loop

15th / Pickleball Tournament

●8th / Table Tennis Tournament ♦●9th / Wellness Fair & Blood Drive 11th / Parents’ Night Out 11th / Veterans Day

19th / Tailgate Games @ Homer Bryce Stadium 24th - 26th / Thanksgiving Holiday: All Facilities Closed 28th / IMS Registration Ends: 5v5 Holiday Basketball Tournament

DECEMBER

7th / De-Stress Fest & Polar Bear Plunge 7th / Wellness Seminar 17th / Commencement 21st - Jan 1st / Winter Holiday: All Facilities Closed

LEGEND

▶EMPLOYEE WELLNESS FACULTY/ STAFF PARTICIPANTS ONLY

TO SFA & NACOGDOCHES ●OPEN COMMUNITIES

♦GREAT FOR KIDS! 3

SPOTLIGHT ON...

GETTING TO KNOW OUR NEW GRADUATE ASSISTANTS!

Anna Niemeyer Outdoor Pursuits

Pursuing: Master’s in Student Affairs and Higher Education Undergrad: Bachelor of Science Biology, Concentration in Outdoor Leadership Lyon College - Batesville, AR

Tell us how you got started in Campus Recreation: Lyon doesn’t actually have Campus Recreation per se; the programs that fall under Campus Rec are part of different departments. I became part of the outdoor program at Lyon College my freshman year.

My involvements began as a trip participant and eventually lead to trip leading. LEAP (Lyon Education and Adventure Program) is a part of the Student Life Department and was the

starting point for my involvement in other Student Life organizations, such as the APPLE Upward Bound Project and Phi Mu Fraternity. For APPLE, I tutored high school students hoping to be first generation college graduates; I tutored Math and Science as well as lead seminars on college budgeting and ACT test taking strategies. I was an active member of Phi Mu all four years I attended Lyon, as their provisional member director.

I worked with new members to learn the ins and outs of the fraternity and to help them adjust to life as a fraternity member.

When I first got to Lyon, my plan was to become a veterinarian, but after working with students in varying capacities I decided to change my career goals and pursue my master’s degree in order to become a coordinator for a collegiate outdoor program.

after meeting the staff, I think that SFA will give me that opportunity.

Why did you choose to pursue your Master’s at SFA? I chose SFA because I was interested in pursuing Student Affairs and after interviewing for the GA position I was excited to become a part of the staff with the Outdoor Pursuits program. Lyon College is a school with fewer than 800 students, so I was looking for a school that was bigger without being too big: SFA seemed like a perfect fit.

I plan to use my time as a GA to gain as much experience as possible and,

Brittany Morriss

What’s the plan after graduation?

The plan after graduation is to get a job working for a collegiate outdoor program and see where that takes me.

My hope is that through a position as an outdoor program coordinator I will be able to effect positive changes in the lives of students.

Aquatics & Safety

Pursuing: Master’s in Kinesiology

Undergrad: Bachelor of Science Kinesiology (Exercise Science), Minor in Health University of South Dakota - Vermillion, SD

FALL / 2016 Tell us how you got started in Campus Recreation: I started as a Campus Recreation lifeguard my freshman year of college. The reason I got into Campus Recreation was because I loved the atmosphere and being on campus working. Especially as a freshman, working on campus at the Rec made me feel more involved at the University and with Campus Recreation.

Why did you choose to pursue your Master’s at SFA? It was fate! My husband got a job as the Intramural Sports & Camps Coordinator, so we packed up and moved to Nacogdoches. Luckily, I was looking for a new Graduate Program, and found one here! Doing the research and getting to know the professors made me realize that this program was going to be a better fit for me than the University of South Dakota.

What’s the plan after graduation?

The plan after graduation is to get an Aquatics or Fitness job at a university Campus Recreation Center. The Campus Recreation field is very competitive, so I am trying to be hopeful that I find one once I

SPOTLIGHT ON... graduate.

Katie Taylor

Facilities & Member Services

Pursuing: Master’s in Student Affairs and Higher Education Undergrad: Bachelor of Arts History, Minor Health Promotion University of North Texas - Denton, TX

Tell us how you got started in Campus Recreation: I started in August 2010 with Recreational

Sports at North Texas. I worked strictly ID shifts for the first semester I was there. Then in spring 2011, I wised up and started working as an Equipment Checker—which gave me the opportunities to get to know more of my co-workers, because I was working behind the main desk.

During that same semester, I also gained experience working various Physical Education Building (PEB) shifts. In May of 2011 I was promoted to Member Services; in that position I assisted patrons who had questions (in person and via phone) as well as sales. At the MS desk we were tasked with making sales for most of the program areas and maintaining all of the laundry for towels.

In January 2012, after an interview process I was promoted to Student Staff Coordinator — this position is the liaison between the student staff and the professional staff. I was in charge of not only the Rec Center, but the satellite facilities as well. I would take stats, respond to any and all incidents and accidents that happened in the facility and be the building supervisor and is over all of the program areas when on a shift. While working as a Coordinator, I was able

2016-2017 Graduate Assistants: Sonia Nieto - Fitness & Wellness, Anna Niemeyer - Outdoor Pursuits, Brittany Morriss - Aquatics & Safety, Katie Taylor - Facilities & Member Services

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SPOTLIGHT ON... to gain experience in the process of hiring new employees by becoming the Chair of the Informal Hiring Committee and I held that position until I graduated in December 2015.

Prior to Fall 2015, I didn’t really have an idea of what I wanted to do post-grad. It wasn’t really until late September/early October that it really clicked and I realized that Campus Rec was what I wanted to do for my career. I guess that I never really realized that everything my bosses at Rec Sports did was their job—in all honesty, I didn’t really know that going into the Rec field was even a possibility. So it was from there that the ball really got rolling and getting me introduced to the world of NIRSA and the vast expanse that is Campus Rec. After I graduated this past December, my bosses at North Texas gave me an internship opportunity— which I was really excited and thankful to have been given.

So starting in January 2016, I was an intern for UNT Rec Sports where I worked with Informal (facilities), Fitness and Marketing/ Development. I was able to learn more of the ins and outs of the administrative side of Campus Rec, and start to feel more prepared for what was to come in a GA position.

I chaired a second committee—a

student service committee—which was comprised to 2 student staff from each of the program areas. The committee participated and planned events that took place within the Rec Center—aimed at creating a stronger community among the Rec Staff and then events that were geared toward community service. It was a labor of love, and I had so much fun getting to see their ideas come to fruition. I attended the conference in Orlando— interviewed for this job, and so here we are.

Why did you choose to pursue your Master’s at SFA? I had looked into attending SFA for my undergrad; came over did a campus visit with one of my best friends, but ultimately I decided to stay in Denton to stay close to home and save money while attending UNT. Fast forward a few years to the end of my undergrad and the beginning of the process

of starting to look for a place to complete my Master’s. I chose SFA for my Master’s because of the feeling I had when I first came for a visit.

The feeling of family and belonging on campus. It felt like a place where I would not only receive a great education, but would be a place where I could thrive and learn from faculty and staff who are committed to their students and want to see them succeed. SFA really felt like a place that would be like home—a place where my thoughts, opinions and perspective matter. Another reason for choosing SFA for my Master’s is because it is much smaller than UNT—I wanted to get the experience of a smaller university where I can really connect with the people who are in my classes and the people I meet on campus, rather than it being a sea of faces that I may never see again.

What’s the plan after graduation? After graduation—that’s still a couple of years off, so there isn’t a definite plan yet. But I know that I want to continue in Campus Rec in some capacity—I’m passionate about developing, and encouraging students and preparing them to be contributing citizens to society. That doesn’t have to mean that they are all going to go into the same field, but knowing that there are certain skills that we can equip them with so that when they enter the workforce they are prepared. ●

FALL / 2016

RECIPE CORNER

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Creativity

It’s Good for your

health

By Jessica Waguespack

In our world today, where we are don’t use, the right side. It helps us Being physically social with friends always connected through television, recover from illnesses, injury, and and family allows bonds to thrive and social media, text message, work stress. In a study published in the similar likes and interest to develop. email available on our phone, and on- Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine, demand everything, it’s easy to spend HIV patients that used writing as a our entire day consuming information form of treatment, found that they and responding to emails instead of had improvements in their CD4+ taking the time to be creative and lymphocyte counts. Which translates produce something. Taking the time to, writing positively impacted the to be creative offers more than just cells in their body, and improved their the opportunity to disconnect from immune system. our incredibly social world, it offers many health “Being creative can impact our body much the The fall season brings many benefits as well. social opportunities that are same way that meditation can.”

The important creative in nature. The annual fact is, that there is a well-established link between It Improves Ones Mood tradition of pumpkin carving creativity and the positive impact We all have our ups and downs between family and friends can it has on one’s mental and physical in our personal, professional, and be an incredibly creative social health. academic careers. We experience event. This tradition of making Below are just a few of the ways that times of hardship, sickness, and jack-o’-lanterns has been around creativity can be the key to overall transition. A creative activity is for centuries. The great thing better health and wellness. correlated to an improvement in about pumpkin carving is that overall emotional health. Building the designs can be an extension It Relieves Stress and Anxiety something or crafting something are Have you ever gotten lost doodling examples of being in class, journaling, knitting, baking, creative and ways “...build something. Share something.

Craft something. Make more art.” or playing music? Being creative to connect with can impact our body much the your inner self. same way that meditation can. It’s of one’s personality, allowing the similar to how yoga impacts our It Cultivates Our Social Life carver to incorporate meaning into brain. Allowing oneself to get lost in Being social is essential to our the design. The following images something allows us to disconnect overall wellness. But it’s more than are pumpkin carving ideas for from the high emotional and physical just being social through text message, even the inexperienced pumpkin challenges that occur in our daily life, Facebook and Twitter. Using the carver. But the most important even for a few moments. opportunity to be creative by building thing is to build something. something, painting a picture, Share something. Craft It Increases and Renews Brain sketching your new garden are just something. Make more art. Your Function a few ways to be creative socially. health and happiness will improve Being creative causes us to use the and we’ll all be better off for it. ● side of our brain that most people

Pumpkin Carving Benefits

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COVER STORY

The Benefits of

By Katie Yandell

OUTSIDE PLAY There’s no doubt in the belief that children grow and develop from playing outside. Numerous scientific studies have been conducted proving the benefits of children at play increasing learning from their environment, interpersonal interaction skills, and mental wellbeing. Many sdults on the other hand do not play much, if at all.

Have we become too grown and too busy to engage in games? Do adults reap the same benefits as children from play and more specifically outdoor recreation? More and more research is being conducted as structured play is the most common form of play for children and as we are engaging in mostly technological devices for our leisure activities.

Yes, adults need play time. There is no need to take ourselves so seriously. Robins, Smith, Segal, and Shubin reported that play among adults fueled imaginations, creativity, problem –solving abilities and emotional well-being. Play is not only beneficial to the needs of our children but to the general well being of all “grown-ups” everywhere. They also suggested play to be more effective and more enjoyable when participated in with at least one other person and not involving the “sensory overload of electronic gadgets.”

improving brain function. Adults much like children are considered to learn more efficiently if play is used to learn a new task or skill. The actual act of playing creatively benefits physiologically and mentally while just experiencing laughter and fun with others can improve empathy, compassion, trust and intimacy with others (Robins, Smith, Segal, & Shubin, 2016). Play is also considered a general state of mind. You don’t necessarily have to participate in a game but being in a playful mood and finding fun in everyday tasks can keep you feeling young, improve your relationships and connections to others, and help you feel more energetic.

So what are the main benefits to play “the denser the forest, So if play is good and we can and why should we do that inside, what’s the point in the lower the stress” make time in our taking those principles outside? busy schedules to Americans now spend 93% of their engage in more play? Play relieves stress and time inside a building or vehicle ( Atchley releases the “feel good” hormone, endorphins & Strayer, 2012). This staggering statistic is (Robins, Smith, Segal, & Shubin, 2016). one of the reasons to recognize the intense When completing puzzle activities or games benefits of outdoor play. This could be as in which you are required to use complex simple as taking a walk through the park. In thinking skills you are not only having fun and reducing stress but also stimulating and

a study published by the National Academy of Sciences, taking a 90-minute walk through a natural environment had a significant impact on participant’s mood. They found that there was decreased blood flow of the subgenual prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain associated with bad moods, in contrast to the control group which walked 90 minutes in an urban city setting.

Researchers from the University of Illinois and the University of Hong Kong conducted research to look at stress levels in various outdoor settings following an intensely stressful event. What was found validates statements from psychologists Atchley & Strayer, “the denser the forest, the lower

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COVER STORY of a person where observed in relation to spending time outside playing in recreation activities. The article surmised that there is evidence to suggest spending time in nature will contribute to the solving of environmental challenges. Increasing the desire to get outside and the positive experiences contribute to a greater investment in the environment and global preservation of wild spaces. These values lead to increasing naturalistic intelligence.

Psychologist David Suzuki and Richard Louv have been conducting research on a condition deemed nature deficit disorder which causes emotional, physical and psychological ailments in both children and adults caused by a lack of outdoor exposure.

the stress” (2012). The fresh air and sunlight have the greatest effect on a person’s mood as well as psychological health (Preston, 2012).

Organized recreation activities are a great way to increase time playing outside and include the benefits of social interaction. In an article published by Tina Pashley in 2015, the author discusses the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual components

Due to the increase of screen time and decrease in unstructured playtime, organizations are getting creative to get people outside. The National Wildlife Federation is creating a campaign to get kids back outside called the “Be out There”. On their campaign website they list the current scientific reasons the great outdoors is really great. Including increased fitness levels and active healthy bodies from participating in recreational activities such as hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, and general exploration. Being outside is also said to improve distance vision.

Exposure to natural settings may be widely effective in reduction ADHD symptoms. Additionally getting outside and in touch with nature and engaging in outdoor activities has proven to improve critical thinking skills. Nature is also said to make people nicer, enhances social interactions, and increases value for community and close relationships.

such as disc golf, or arrange a camping trip for your family or friends. If you need suggestions or help, our Outdoor Pursuits Program at SFA is a perfect resource for all things outdoor related!

References:

Atchley, R.A. & Strayer D., Creativity in the Wild: Improving Creative Reasoning Through Immersion in Natural Settings. 12 December 2012. PLoSONE 7(12): e51474. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051474 Hrala, J., Time to get away from the desk…8 May 2016http://www.ciencealert.com/urban-tree-coverage-cansignificantly-reduce-stress-study-findings .

National Wildlife Federation., There’s a Reason They Call it the Great Outdoors. August 2016. http://www. beoutthere.org.

Pirrone, M., What Hiking Does to the Brain is Pretty Amazing. 11 April 2016. http://www.wimp.com/whathiking-does-to-the -brain-is-pretty-amazing/.

Preston, S. & South University.; Spending Time in Nature for Your Health-How Outdoor Activities Improve Wellbeing. 6 September 2012. https://www.southuniversity. edu/whoweare/newsroom/blog/spending- time-innature-for-your-health-how-outdoor-acitivites-improvewellbeing-102984.

Robinson, L., Smith, M., Segal, J., & Shubin, J. How Play Benefits your Relationships, Job, Bonding and Mood. April 2016. http:// www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/ benefits-of-play-for-adults.htm

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So get out there this fall, take advantage of the beauty around you. Take a hike, a walk, participate in outdoor recreation activities with others

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DISCOVER THE OUTDOORS

It will get cooler, I promise! The fall and winter are great times to get outside and go camping, biking, canoeing, climbing, or pretty much anything outside!

pavilions, as well as primitive cabins and airconditioned cabins.

- Erick Alvarez, Outdoor Center Assistant - Class of ‘17

Outside of Nacogdoches and across the state/region, there are plenty of places to get outside. I have asked a few of the current Outdoor Pursuits employees to share with you some special places they like to explore. I encourage you to make some plans to get outside. If you need help, shoot us Pace Bend Park on Lake an email (outdoorpursuits@sfasu.edu), and we will do our best to answer Travis is a stellar swimming and any questions you have, if we can’t we will point you in a better direction. climbing destination. For campsites Thanks, and as always, Axe ‘em, Jacks!

- Steven Whitman, Outdoor Pursuits Coordinator

Huntsville State Park

is a gorgeous space of over 2,000 acres of Piney woods in South-East Texas.

With 21+ miles of multi-use trails accessible for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use.

The park’s trails vary in difficulty from beginner, for those looking for a leisurely stroll through the woods, to advanced, for those looking for something a little more exciting. The park contains 210 acre Raven Lake that is great for swimming, boating (with canoe, kayak, and boat rentals available on-site), and fishing from boats and the public pier. The park has guided

horse-back rides offered by 2E Stables with rides for people of all ages and experience levels. For those wanting to stay overnight, the park has over 150 campsites with electrical and water hook-ups, RV stations, group

ranging between $15-$20, Pace Bend offers breathtaking views of Lake Travis especially at sunset and several recreational opportunities.

Bring your boat, kayak or canoe and explore the nine miles of coastline where there are numerous limestone cliffs with inlets and caves. Also take time to discover the interior of the park as it is managed as a wildlife preserve and is accessible by biking, hiking or even horseback riding. The interior of the park is a fantastic place to see white-tailed deer, ringtail cats and dozens of bird species.

A superb hole-in-thewall restaurant Lee’s Almost by the Lake, offers delicious burgers, shakes and fries along with adult beverages so it is a great place to stop after a long day of exploring. The entrance fee to Pace Bend allows you to get into Reimers Ranch, about 25 minutes away, which is a popular climbing destination

FALL / 2016

for local Austinites and climbers all over the state. If you have gear then head over there and get immersed in the friendly, helpful community of climbers that habit Reimers Ranch.

There are several unique Austin attractions like Hamilton Pool and Jacob’s Well, but they both require reservations so plan ahead to visit them. Downtown Austin is about an hour away from Pace Bend and multiple days can be spent exploring our state capitol.

Austin is well known for their disc golf courses, 6th street bar district, and they have currently the best bouldering gym in the state with Austin Bouldering Project. All in all, Pace Bend Park offers you countless options of activities to do in park or can serve as a home base while you explore the Lake Travis and Austin area.

- Casey Byrne,Trip Leader & Climbing Wall Manager - Class of ‘17

Horseshoe Canyon Ranch has something for

everyone. Outdoor Pursuits takes trips here to teach students how to climb and increase their skills related

to climbing. But this dude ranch in Northwest Arkansas offers more than just that: horseback riding, zip lining, swimming, canoeing, hiking, cave trips, and more. They have all sorts of options for camping, from

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primitive sites to cabins, and most of the primitive sites have a bathroom close by. This is a great place for both family trips and fun trips out with friends. They offer guides for both horseback riding and rock climbing so both experts and beginners can enjoy the valley.

- Rachel Sanders, Trip Leader & Wall Specialist - Class of ‘17

Bentonville, Arkansas is

home to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, but this is more than just an art museum. The grounds surrounding the museum are home to 8 trails totaling more than 3.5 miles in length.

Many of the trails are multipurpose and can be used for hiking or biking. On the trails, you will experience the flora, fauna, and geographical

features native to the Ozarks.

While some of these trails were intended to showcase the beauty of the region, other trails are home to sculptures and other works of art including the BachmanWilson house by architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

- Anna Niemeyer, Graduate Assistant, Outdoor Pursuits â—?

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ALUMNI NEWS

Michelle “Weez” Wentzel

Store Manager, Bath and Body Works, Lubbock, Texas prepared you for your current position?

When were you at SFA? And what was your position?

2007-2008: “The Intern” of Intramural Sports or what ever Mills told me to do 2008-2009: Sport Club Graduate Assistant

What would you say was the biggest challenge you faced while at SFA?

My biggest challenge was learning a lot about my self professionally and personally. Academics was a huge struggle for me and quite the emotional roller coaster, but the support from my Campus Recreation family helped me preservere and graduate with my masters, which I thought that I would never get.

How did your time at SFA

I can make some mean spreadsheets! On a serious note, from Campus Recreation to retail, I have learned how to push and challenge my staff and mentors around me, whether it be those tough conversations or teachable moments or challenging thought processes. It has made me well rounded and taught me how to work with a variety of different personalities.

Do you have any advice for our current students and/or GA’s?

You get out of it what you put into it. Build those relationships and truly take the time to get to know those around you.

Be confident in trying new ideas and do not be afraid to speak your mind and stand up for something you are passionate about. Enjoy those scavenger

hunts and team building actvities and retreats, you will appreciate them later on.

What is your favorite memory from your time here at SFA?

Working with Brian Mills and graduating with my master’s degree.

And the time that I was helping Rachel Treat take a barrel downstairs at the HPE and the dolly slid down the stairs. Let’s just say it smelled fresh and clean for weeks.

In three words, describe your time at SFA. Axe ‘Em, Jacks ●

FALL / 2016 This scholarship was created to provide financial assistance to current student employees of the Campus Recreation Department. Dr. Raymond “Ray” Worsham was the Intramural Department Director at SFA for 43 years prior to the creation of the Campus Recreation Department.

Dr. Worsham was the keystone to the Intramural Department for more than four decades and his dedication and lasting impact is something that we will celebrate for decades to

come with the creation of this scholarship. Under Dr. Worsham, intramural sports flourished to the highest numbers the program has ever seen.

Thousands of students spent nights playing on the intramural fields, in the HPE and around campus over Dr. Worsham’s tenure.

The strong intramural tradition lives on through our current sport offerings, The Intramural Champ shirt, the contact we have with former student athletes in the program and we are privileged to honor him with this scholarship.

2016-2017 Recipient An honors student with a 3.42 GPA majoring in Finance, he has worked for Campus Rec for two years. He says that, in that time, he has grown a lot as a person, and that Campus Rec’s “student development mentality” has played a major role. He goes on to share that his biggest success story (so far) that he can attribute to his employment at Campus Rec is his professionalism, interpersonal skills, and interview skills.

In addition to being a Head Lifeguard and Operations Manager here at the Rec, he currently holds the Philanthropy chair of his fraternity and is involved with Greek Wide, a branch of Campus Crusade for Christ International.

Ken Morton (Director), Kaleb Castor, and Sarah Kouliavtsev (Alumni Committee Chair)

FOR MORE INFORMATION

about the Dr. Raymond Lee Worsham Scholarship contact Promotions & Sponsorships Coordinator Sarah Kouliavtsev at (936) 468.5844 or via email

Kouliavtsg@sfasu.edu

One of his letters of recommendations described him very accurately, and I’d like to share that quote with all of you: “[He] is a high character guy. He is polite and respectful. He has a selfless and caring heart that drives him to want to invest in the lives of people.”

Congratulations!

- Sarah Kouliavtsev, Alumni Committee Chair

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INTRAMURAL SPORTS SUMMER CHAMPIONS

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SFA Campus Recreation is committed to developing a culture of Lumberjack wellness through excellent facilities and inclusive experiences in adventure, fitness, sport, and play.