May 06, 2025 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo Paralympic multi-medalist Susan Hagel and the 2004 gold-medal-winning women’s wheelchair basketball team were among those selected for induction this summer into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame. The USOPC announced on Tuesday its Class of 2025 that brings together eight individual Olympic and Paralympic athletes, two teams, […]
Month: May 2025
Remembering pioneering scholar Jack Kelly
May 22, 2025 | Laura Payne, Mike Raycraft, Kim Shinew and Monika Stodolska Jack Kelly, a professor in the Department of Leisure Studies at Illinois for many years, died on Feb. 10, 2025, at the age of 94. Faculty members of the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism collaborated to write this remembrance of Kelly. […]
Ballot battles: The fight for green space funding in an age of misinformation
May 21, 2025 | Adelyn Mui Green spaces benefit people and the environment in many ways but not all voters see it that way Public green spaces—parks, forests and conservation areas—increase potential for varied recreational opportunities, improved mental and physical health and better environmental sustainability. However, funding these spaces remains a challenge. Department of Recreation, […]
2025 Sapora Symposium: Honoring a century of legacy at Huff Hall
May 22, 2025 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo Themes of visionary leadership and George Huff were briefly overshadowed by Grimace The theme of the 2025 Sapora Symposium was visionary leadership, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Huff Hall and paying tribute to the legacy of George Huff. Only one thing could potentially overshadow that, and it is purple and […]
Immersive learning: RST faculty guide students out of the classroom and into the real world
May 22, 2025 | Jonathan King RST faculty members design and lead innovative educational practicums that immerse students in experiential learning environments By JONATHAN KING Renata Endres is taking her belief in an applied teaching approach on the road—on Route 66, to be precise. “I believe the most effective way to bridge the gap between the […]
What is the role of racial segregation and park availability in physical activity?
May 22, 2025 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo Two researchers uncover dynamics that challenge the assumption that more parks lead to more activity In cities across the United States, physical activity is often promoted as a cornerstone of public health, yet disparities in access and engagement persist. Despite the well-documented benefits of leisure-time physical activity, many communities […]
At 10 years, Chez Veterans Center honors its family and friends
May 19, 2025 | Ethan Simmons After long journeys to Urbana-Champaign, the Chez family joined each other at the campus center bearing their name, beaming with pride. Thirteen years ago, Ron Chez—a 1962 University of Illinois graduate and Army veteran turned investor and philanthropist—provided a lead gift to build the Chez Veterans Center. Since then, […]
From Mayo Clinic to Urbana-Champaign
May 22, 2025 | Anna Flanagan In addition to their professional experience, Gabrielle Dillon and Jack Senefeld share research interests When Gabrielle Dillon joined the Department of Health and Kinesiology in the College of Applied Health Sciences last fall, she was greeted by a familiar face. She and Jack Senefeld, who had joined HK in fall 2023, had briefly overlapped […]
Study shows smart home technology to be beneficial for aging in place
May 22, 2025 | Jonathan King Mobility disabilities, defined as a “serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs,” affect approximately 21 percent of adults 65 years of age and older Saul Morse believes his wife might not have survived a recent health episode without assistive technology. “Had it not been for our voice-activated digital home assistant, […]
Wolff brings hands-on approach to musculoskeletal anatomy course
May 22, 2025 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo Many students majoring in HK want to pursue careers in occupational therapy, physical therapy and athletic training Whitney Wolff had just completed a semester as an assistant professor at tiny Lakeland University in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, when the opportunity to work at an R1 university arose. Wolff, who earned her Ph.D. […]