The Ware Family Foundation has bestowed its distinguished professorship, established in honor of West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences alumni Alfred F. and Dolores Jamison Ware, upon Dr. Eloise M. Elliott, professor of physical education, Concord University.

This marks the second endowed professorship for WVU’s College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. Elliott will also serve a one year appointment as Visiting Associate Professor at the College.

The College will announce the endowment at a ceremony this Thursday, Sept. 17, 4:30 p.m. in room 172, Coliseum. Concord University and WVU administration, colleagues, staff and students will celebrate Elliott’s appointment. The ceremony is open to the public.

“Dr. Elliott will use her position to develop programs, conferences and other initiative to help reduce childhood obesity rates in West Virginia. She will continue to spread the message and the need for childhood health and wellness in the state,” explained Dana D. Brooks, dean, WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences.

“Dr. Elliott’s focus on the health and wellness of children throughout West Virginia reflects the Ware’s passion and vision for a healthier West Virginia,” said Concord University President Gregory F. Aloia.

“Dr. Elliott’s work as the Ware Distinguished Professor will emphasize the benefit of combining healthy activities, and lifestyles of young children while sharing this message statewide,” he added.

Elliott received a BA in Elementary Education from Concord University, a MA in Physical Education from Salem University, and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. Since 1989, Dr. Elliott has been employed at Concord University in the Department of Human Performance, where she served as chair of the dept from 1993 to 2004.

“I am truly honored to accept the Ware Distinguished Professorship this year. I am looking forward to representing and serving WVU and the Wares, and am committed to working diligently to improve the health of West Virginians,” she said.

As the Ware Distinguished Professor, Elliott will focus her efforts on obesity prevention and service to West Virginia. She will continue as co-manager of Camp NEW You, a year-long program that helps adolescent children and their families identify and practice lifestyle changes to reduce unhealthy body weight, and she will work with others in the College and Physical Activity and Sport Sciences and the CARDIAC Project to expand the program, particularly to Marshall University in summer 2010.

Elliott will help organize a physical activity symposium in June 2010 that will focus on a strategic plan for West Virginia and will showcase the state’s current efforts in changing physical activity culture. Her focus will include use of web-based instructional modules, working with physical education teachers to better meet the needs of overweight children, and promoting the development of a comprehensive physical activity plan that includes quality physical education, creating active time during recess and drop-in physical activity opportunities, after school programs, and active transport to/from school.

Additionally, in her role with WVU’s CARDIAC Project, she will continue to lead interventional strategies throughout the state to improve children’s health, and will work within the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences in teaching and scholarship.

Elliott’s work focuses on children’s health, specifically physical activity, nutrition and obesity prevention, and on pedagogy and curriculum development. Her interest in educational technology led to the development of Healthy Hearts 4 Kids, and Take Charge! Be Healthy! school-based health instructional modules delivered via the Internet designed to teach intermediate age children and adolescents about good health practices. Currently, Healthy Hearts has been used by more than 30,000 students in 47 states.

The Ware Distinguished Professor is a position established by the generosity of the Ware Family Foundation. The Ware Professorship focus incorporates leadership in childhood health and fitness, and Elliott’s appointment will help to enhance the wellbeing of children.

For more information about the ceremony, contact Kimberly Cameon, 304-293-0827.

-WVU-

kc/9/14/09

CONTACT: Kimberly Cameon, College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences
304-293-0827, Kimberly.Cameon@mail.wvu.edu