Physical education association honors UAB faculty member and student club

Retta Evans, Ph.D., and student club UAB FLAME received recognition for their dedication to physical, wellness and nutritional education in schools.

Written by: Tiffany Westry

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asahperd logoUAB School of Education Associate Professor Retta Evans, Ph.D., and student club UAB FLAME — Future Leaders in Athletics, Management and Education — were honored at the fall conference of the Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

ASAHPERD represents professionals who promote healthy lifestyles through health, physical education, recreation, dance, sports programs and exercise science. The organization has more than 1,200 members across Alabama.

Evans, from UAB’s Department of Human Studies, received the Honor Award, the highest award given by the association to a member who has made significant contributions to the association over a period of time.

Evans has been an active member of ASAHPERD since 2005, holding many offices including vice president of health and research council chair. In addition, she volunteers her time to review for the ASAHPERD Journal. During her term as president in 2012-2013, Evans’ emphasis was on the importance of school wellness policies and their impact on the school community. She has been a member of several State Department of Education task forces and committees that develop curriculums for schools and the community.

UAB FLAME, a student organization made up of kinesiology majors with a concentration in physical education teacher certification, received the Willis J. Baughman Award. The Baughman Award recognizes a major’s club in a college or university for outstanding leadership and service to school and community. The award is given in honor of Willis J. Baughman in appreciation for his long and distinguished service to ASAHPERD. Baughman is considered a pioneer in the areas of health and physical education.

The purpose of FLAME is to provide an opportunity for students to make unique contributions to the educational process through programs, projects, activities and community service. Students are given opportunities to develop leadership and cooperation skills at the local, state, district and national levels of SHAPE America.

FLAME serves on and off UAB’s campus, including providing nutritional education to UAB students, hosting toy drives for area elementary school students during the holiday season and partnering with Glen Iris Elementary School to provide assistance with programs for students.

Last year’s FLAME president, Kamron Graham, and current president Justin Wiley were also recognized by ASAHPERD. The students received Future Professional Grants in recognition of their leadership.

Instructor Toni Leo and Associate Professor Sandra Sims, Ph.D., serve as faculty adviser and faculty mentor for FLAME.