Tony Mobley, emeritus HPER dean, receives Pugsley Medal
Tony Mobley, HPER dean emeritus
Tony Mobley, dean emeritus of the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, has received the 2006 Pugsley Award from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in association with the National Park Foundation.
The Hon. Cornelius Amory Pugsley Medals are the most prestigious awards that recognize outstanding contributions to the promotion and development of public parks in the United States. Mobley received the award for his outstanding leadership contributions to park and recreation education; to multiple professional organizations in the field; and as executive director of the National Recreation Foundation.
"I have viewed Dean Emeritus Mobley as a student, alumnus, faculty and administrator, and his ability to establish connections with people has no parallel," said Lynn Jamieson, professor and chair of the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies. "His ability to develop partnerships with other institutions, establish a strong and loyal alumni base of practitioners in all fields and to forge lasting connections with colleagues on and off campus has been a key reason why the School of HPER is so strong."
Mobley became HPER dean in 1976, a position he then held for 26 years before retiring. During this period the school more than doubled its enrollment, increased its research productivity and visibility, and expanded its influence in virtually all areas of its instructional, scholarly and public service missions. Fundraising initiatives resulted in the establishment of eight endowed chairs and professorships, and the disbursement of more than $100,000 in student scholarships each year. International exchange agreements were forged with 17 universities around the globe.
He has held leadership positions, including presidencies, of numerous national associations, including the National Recreation and Park Association, the Society of Park and Recreation Educators, the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and the North American Society of Health, Physical Education, Sport and Dance Professionals. He led the effort to establish a national accreditation program for academic park and recreation departments that was recognized by the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation. He also was instrumental in the establishment of the National Institute for Fitness and Sport, located in Indianapolis.
The inaugural Pugsley Medals were awarded in 1928. The winner of the first national level award was Stephen T. Mather, the first director and "father" of the National Park Service. The award has a distinguished list of recipients. Last year's recipients included Patrick F. Noonan, president of The Nature Conservancy; Clifton E. French, superintendent of the Three Rivers Park District; and Mrs. Lyndon Baines Johnson. Mobley is one of two recipients this year; the other is L.W. "Bill" Lane, publisher of Sunset magazine.
For more information about Mobley, please visit his complete biography at http://www.hper.indiana.edu/development/mobley.shtml.
