West Virginia University’s Valerie Wayda was recognized for her outstanding contribution within the allied professions of health, education, physical education, recreation, sport and dance in North America by the North American Society of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance Professionals recently.

Wayda, chair of the department of Coaching and Teaching Studies in WVU’s College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, received the group’s 2013 Fellow Award at its annual meeting in Charlotte, N.C., in April.

NAS Fellows have demonstrated leadership through professional involvement over a period of at least two decades.

“It was a very humbling experience to be nominated and then selected for induction into NAS,” said Wayda, associate professor within the Department of Sport Sciences at CPASS.

Prior to assuming responsibilities at WVU she taught at the University of Central Arkansas, Ball State University and the University of Virginia. She received her doctorate in sport studies from WVU.

Wayda is a life-time member of American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance and has been a member of National Association of Kinesiology and Physical Education in Higher Education since 2000. She has served in various leadership roles within Midwest District AHPERD and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education. She has several peer-reviewed publications and has made numerous presentations at the local, state, national and international levels. Her current research focus in on professional dispositions.

-WVU-

kc/05/06/13

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CONTACT: Kimberly Cameon, CPASS
304.293.0827, Kimberly.Cameon@mail.wvu.edu