Dana Voelker, a new graduate of the kinesiology doctoral program in the College of Education, was selected to receive the Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship from the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD.)
The scholarship is annually awarded to recognize students who have achieved academic excellence, showcased leadership in the profession of physical education and a commitment to their school and community through professional activities or volunteer services. The award includes $1,750 and a three-year membership to AAHPERD.
Having already received her master’s in counseling from the College of Education and currently pursuing a doctoral degree, Voelker has maintained a 4.0 grade point average in her four years at Michigan State. She also has become a university fellow, and served on more than 10 committees and boards, including the executive board for the Association for Applied Sports Psychology. Her work, focusing on the promotion of positive youth development through sport from a life skills and health perspective, has been featured in eight conference presentations, four refereed publications, four book chapters and 20 workshops.
Voelker has also recently received the 2011 Outstanding Doctoral Degree Student Award, the Kinesiology Endowed Fellowship and the William Wohlgamuth Memorial Fellowship, which is given to graduate students pursuing youth sports research.
Voelker received her AAHPERD scholarship at the organization’s national convention from March 13-17, 2012 in Boston, Mass.