Posted on November 19, 2001 at 10:45 a.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Donna J. Hester, Ph.D., associate professor of physical education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), has been selected executive director of the Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (ASAHPERD), effective June 2002.

Hester, who teaches in the UAB School of Education’s Department of Human Studies, was selected to the post during the recent fall conference of the ASAHPERD held in Birmingham.

The ASAHPERD is an incorporated, non-profit organization that is affiliated with the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and the Alabama Education Association. Founded in 1925, ASAHPERD is designed to promote professional development, research, public awareness, standards and guidelines for personnel and programs in health, leisure and movement-related activities. The organization has a membership of 1,400 professionals and students.

Hester has held numerous offices in the ASAHPERD, including journal and newsletter editor, student section advisor and president.

Hester earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Ohio State University in 1975, 1980 and 1983 respectively. She joined the UAB faculty in 1983.