Four kinesiology students receive national recognition from American Kinesiology Association
04/29/15
Four LSU School of Kinesiology students received national recognition from the American Kinesiology Association for their distinctive academic and leadership accomplishments.
Kinesiology senior Ricky Richard received the AKA Undergraduate Scholar award. Richard is a Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship recipient, Student Ambassador, member of the Black Male Leadership Initiative, Leadership LSU, and Tiger Twelve.
Louis Hines, master’s student with a concentration in Pedagogy and Psychological Sciences, received the AKA Masters Scholar award.
Hines grew up in Gulf Breeze, Florida and played NCAA Division III soccer at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama. In May, he will complete his master’s degree in kinesiology with a concentration in Pedagogy and Psychological Sciences. He will teach physical education in Pike Road, Alabama in the fall.
Christopher Aiken, Exercise & Sport Science graduate research assistant, received the AKA Doctoral Scholar award, nominated by SOK Director Dr. Melinda Solmon. Aiken came to LSU in the fall of 2011 after graduating with a B.A. in Psychology from UNLV in 2007 and a M.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Tennessee in 2011. Aiken's primary research interests include practice manipulations that facilitate motor skill learning. He plans to graduate with his PhD in Kinesiology this summer.
“LSU and the School of Kinesiology have helped me develop professionally and academically by allowing me the freedom to pursue my academic interests,” said Aiken. “The School of Kinesiology also allowed me a great opportunity to teach Motor Learning (KIN 3513) and to mentor undergraduates by helping them complete their own research projects. These opportunities provided very valuable experience that will benefit me for years to come.”
Zach Wood, PhD candidate in SOK, received the AKA Graduate Student Writing Award. This award recognizes graduate students who have published in peer-reviewed scholarly journals while enrolled in kinesiology departments. His paper, titled “University Intramural Sport Administrators’ Perceptions of Gender Modifications in Intramural Coed Flag Football,” was published in the journal Sport, Education and Society. It examines intramural sport administrators’ perspectives regarding coed intramural flag football gender modifications.
Wood holds an M.S. in Kinesiology with a specialization in Pedagogy and Psychological Sciences from LSU as well as a B.A. in Political Science from Xavier University (Ohio). Before starting his Ph.D., he worked professionally in campus recreation at LSU and Oregon State University.
The awards are intended to recognize and promote academic excellence, to further the professional competence and dedication of academically accomplished students and to promote kinesiology and its related fields. These awards are competitive and one winner is chosen by the AKA Awards Committee for each category. The National Scholar Awards recognize the academic and leadership accomplishments of undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students in AKA member departments.
National Award recipients received a $250 gift certificate from Human Kinetics in addition to their certificate of recognition.
About SOK
The LSU School of Kinesiology advances the understanding of physical activity, sport,
and health to optimize the quality of life for diverse populations through excellence
in teaching, learning, discovery, and engagement.
Visit the School of Kinesiology at lsu.edu/kinesiology
About CHSE
The College of Human Sciences & Education (CHSE) is a nationally accredited division
of Louisiana State University. Formed in 2012, CHSE brings together programs and capitalizes
on individual strengths to create a dynamic new college that addresses the socially
significant issues we face as a state and nation. The College is comprised of the
School of Education, the School of Leadership and Human Resource Development, the
School of Kinesiology, the School of Library and Information Science, the School of
Social Work, and the University Laboratory School. These combined schools offer 8
undergraduate degree programs and 18 graduate programs, enrolling more than 1,900
undergraduate and 977 graduate students. The College is committed to achieving the
highest standards in teaching, research, and service and is continually working to
improve its programs.
Visit the College of Human Sciences & Education at chse.lsu.edu.