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. […]
Tag: RST Newsletter Spring 2025
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 […]
2025 RST department head message
May 21, 2025 Hello RST Friends and Alumni, Welcome to the spring 2025 edition of the RST newsletter! We are excited to share some of the latest research breakthroughs from our faculty, outstanding student achievements and the ongoing contributions of our incredible alumni. This year, we are especially proud to showcase how our students and […]
Remembering pioneering scholar Jack Kelly
May 21, 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. […]
2025 Sapora Symposium: Honoring a century of legacy at Huff Hall
May 21, 2025 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo George Huff was the theme, but Grimace stole the show 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 lovable: Grimace. […]
The role of racial segregation and park availability in physical activity
May 22, 2025 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo RST researchers set out to explore how racial residential segregation impacts leisure-time physical activity prevalence and how park availability influences this relationship 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 […]
A new fellowship for a groundbreaking leisure researcher
May 23, 2025 | Ethan Simmons As a graduate student, Liza Berdychevsky didn’t expect much fanfare when she first visited a Leisure Research Symposium as a “future scholar,” on behalf of The Academy of Leisure Sciences (TALS). In 2008, she was completing her master’s program and searching for a university to complete her doctorate. Yet […]