Last modified: Monday, April 22, 2002
Gallahue named dean of IU School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation
David Gallahue, an administrator and faculty member with more than 30 years of experience with the Indiana University School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER), has been named dean of HPER.
Sharon Stephens Brehm, chancellor of the IU Bloomington campus, announced the selection of Gallahue today (April 22) following a nationwide search. The new dean succeeds Tony Mobley, who is retiring after 26 years in the position. Gallahue will assume the post July 1.
"David has served the school and the campus exceedingly well, taking on major responsibilities for the enhancement and management of HPER," Brehm said. "At the same time, he also has served the discipline in such roles as president of the National Association for Sport & Physical Education. He is held in high regard throughout the school for his strong academic focus, mentoring of younger faculty and innovative training methods. I am sure that he will be an excellent dean, and I very much look forward to working with him."
Gallahue, 59, is currently associate dean for academic affairs and research at HPER and a professor of kinesiology. He earned his B.S. degree from IU and has been active at the professional and local level with IU, HPER and the Bloomington community. Gallahue has an international reputation in children's physical activity. He is the author of numerous textbooks, book chapters and journal articles, and his work has been translated into Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese and Greek.
Gallahue has served as a visiting professor, guest lecturer or keynote speaker on more than 200 occasions throughout the world. Last year he directed a HPER hike along the Great Wall of China in cooperation with the Beijing University of Physical Education.
"Being selected to serve Indiana University as the next dean of the School of HPER is indeed humbling," Gallahue said. "Retiring Dean Tony Mobley has been an outstanding leader. He brought the school to national and international prominence. I will do my best to continue his legacy by striving, with my colleagues, for research and academic excellence, cultural diversity, and quality service to our various constituents in promoting our motto of 'Living Well.'"
The new dean earned a B.S. degree from IU in 1964, M.S. degree from Purdue University in 1967 and Ed.D. degree from Temple University in 1971. His research areas include children's physical activity, motor performance, childhood obesity intervention, youth sport delivery systems and children's hero choices. He has served as a consultant to governing bodies of the U.S. Olympic Committee that deal with gymnastics and skiing.
Upon becoming dean of HPER, Gallahue will lead a school that was established in 1946 as the first school of its kind in the United States. It has grown to be one of the largest, with some 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students, 72 faculty members and more than 100 staff members. The school is comprised of the Department of Applied Health Science, the Department of Kinesiology, the Department of Recreation and Park Administration, and the Division of Recreational Sports. Degrees are offered in 30 specialty areas at the bachelor's, master's, directorate and doctoral levels.
Gallahue joined IU as an assistant professor of kinesiology in 1970 and advanced to associate professor in 1975 and professor in 1983. He has served as associate dean for academic affairs and research since 1996 and was acting dean in 1998. His service with IU and HPER has included such areas as strategic planning, faculty governance, international programs, research, tenure and promotions, administrative structure, and student recruitment and retention.
Gallahue and his wife, Ellie, owned and directed Challengers Day Camp, a popular local day camp for children, for over 15 years. They continue to be active in a variety of outdoor activities, including raising horses, trail riding, hiking, downhill skiing and gardening.
