PR2006 Jul 3
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 3 2006
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Leigh Hays 205-391-2310
Dr. Milady Murphy receives 2006 International Exemplary Leader Award
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Dr. Milady Murphy has been awarded the 2006 International Exemplary Leader Award by the Chair Academy. The Chair Academy is an organization committed to exemplifying the best practices of organizational leadership worldwide. Dr. Murphy’s work as the founding director of the Wellness Center of Shelton State Community College and her dynamic contributions to the community through “partnership programs” earned her this distinct honor.
In 1988, Dr Murphy was charged with establishing the Wellness Center at Shelton State Community College. Understanding the challenges, she developed a goal of “partnership” to broaden the scope of the program and to provide outreach to the communities served. Working with other programs within the College, the Wellness Center began to develop exercise and health classes designed to appeal to many sectors of the community at-large.
One of the most recent community outreach programs partners the Wellness Center and Life Long Learning. This program provides exercise programs for nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the Tuscaloosa area. The Wellness Center provides certified exercise instructors and Life Long Learning oversees the administrative details which allows these services to be offered free of charge to citizens who are often forgotten or overlooked in health and fitness arenas.
The Wellness program, with the Division of Instructional Services at Shelton State has established a varied curriculum of Health; Physical Education, Recreational and Nutritional classes intended to meet the needs of the students. A certificate program was designed to help create job opportunities for these students in the field of personal training and exercise instruction. Ninety percent of Shelton State’s certificate graduates find jobs in the community and beyond in the industry.
In addition to the above cited partnerships, The Wellness Center encourages students of all ages to exercise and work together. Working with programs such as Life Long Learning, Continuing Education and Community Education, allows for an inter-generational approach to teaching. In many classes, senior citizens are working out and learning side-by-side with eighteen year-olds. This mix improves the quality of life for all students and removes the “jock” atmosphere stigma common to many gyms. Because of this philosophy, The Wellness Center at Shelton State provides an atmosphere that is welcoming to people of different genders, ages and beginning levels of physical abilities.
The Chair Academy acknowledged these programs and the work of Dr. Murphy by stating: “Dr. Murphy has transformed the curriculum of the Wellness Center into a force for personal and institutional improvement. For two decades, she has demonstrated a dynamic, enthusiastic, dogged and evangelistic commitment to the critical role of high-quality instruction and the principles and practices required for physical and mental fitness, health and well-being”.
Camille Cochrane, Dean of Instruction at Shelton State Community College said, “We are delighted and proud of the accomplishments of Dr. Murphy and the Wellness Program. The services we provide through this program touch the lives of so many diverse groups in our community. And, that is what we, at Shelton State, are about – making a difference in the lives of others.”
Dr. Murphy beamed with enthusiasm over the award which was voted on by her peers. “I could not achieve any of these accomplishments if I did not have the help and support of my administrators, faculty, staff, community and family. It takes a team approach to attain and maintain educational goals in this day and time and Shelton State offers that to all its faculty and staff. I appreciate the ability to thrive in my chosen profession and to feel the work I do is supported.”
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