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News Release

Last modified: Monday, May 23, 2011

Gilbert, McCormick assume leadership positions at IU's School of HPER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2011

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana University School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) has announced the promotion of two faculty members to leadership positions. Bryan McCormick, associate professor in the Department of Park, Recreation and Tourism Studies, has been named the chair of the department. Kathleen Gilbert, professor in the Department of Applied Health Science, has been selected as executive associate dean of the school.

McCormick, who joined the department in 1995, also has served as interim chair. He is the president of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association and has received numerous awards for teaching excellence. McCormick's research has focused on the social and community functioning of people with severe mental illnesses, and has taken him to areas such as Serbia and Sarajevo to study the effects of recreational and support networks in areas experiencing social strife.

"Dr. McCormick has demonstrated a solid leadership role within the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies and will be a valuable member of the leadership team here at the School of HPER," said Mo R. Torabi, interim dean for the School of HPER.

Gilbert, who joined the Department of Applied Health Science in 1988, also has served as the director of undergraduate education. Her research has largely focused on behavioral health, specifically bereavement; loss and grieving in the context of family; loss and meaning making; stress and resilience in the family; cross-national research; and qualitative research. She currently serves as president of the Association for Death Education and Counseling, and is also Certified Family Life Educator (since 2000) and Fellow in Thanatology: Dying, Death, and Bereavement (since 2005). Gilbert replaces Jerry Wilkerson, who is retiring after serving in this position for eight years.

"As a valued professor and director of undergraduate education, Dr. Gilbert has the ability to work with faculty and students in a fair and decisive way which is an important trait to have in this position," Torabi said. "I look forward to working with Dr. Gilbert in the dean's office and collaborating with her on the decisions which will affect the school's progress and transition to a school of public health."

About the School of HPER

Indiana University's School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, founded in 1946, encompasses a broad spectrum of academic interests and professional fields. HPER offers 43 undergraduate, 23 graduate and 22 minor degree programs through the departments of Environmental Health, Applied Health Science, Kinesiology, and Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies.

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