Centenary College Professor Receives District Honor

SHREVEPORT, La.— A professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at Centenary College of Louisiana has once again been honored for her work and contributions in her field by the Southern District of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (SDAAHPERD).

Shelley Armstrong, Ph.D.

Shelley Armstrong, Ph.D., received the Taylor Dodson Young Professional Award at SDAAHPERD's annual convention, held in Myrtle Beach, S.C., February 13. The award recognizes a young professional under the age of 40 in the 13-state district who works and has gained prominence in the areas of health, physical education, recreation and dance; and has made significant contributions in research, professional organizations, professional literature, and outstanding community service.

Armstrong is currently an assistant professor and Acting Chair of Centenary College's Department of Health and Exercise Science. She is an advisor, internship coordinator, holds the Broyles Research Chair, and serves on Academic Policy and NCATE committees at Centenary. She is also a certified secondary health & physical education teacher and a certified national collegiate athletic association (NCAA) Division I coach. She has been the head coach of both the men's and women's Cross Country teams since 2004.

Before teaching in higher education, Armstrong was a clinical research associate in cancer prevention and control at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. She has produced numerous publications in scholarly journals such as the Journal of American College Health, Gastroenterology Nursing, and the LAHPERD Journal. Armstrong presents at local, state and national conventions including AAHPERD, LAHPERD, the National Girls and Women in Sport ceremony, and the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" event. She will present at the Women's Health Congress conference in Washington D.C. in March.

Armstrong was also cited for her accomplishments as the Race Director and originator of the annual Centenary College "Healthy Kids' Fun Run" and "YOUth FIT", a summer running program for children operated by the Shreveport Parks and Recreation organization. She is an avid runner, completing the Houston Marathon in the top five percent of all runners and the top two percent of all female runners.

Armstrong has received several other awards including being named as one Shreveport's "40 Under 40" award honoree which recognizes "Northwest Louisiana's most successful young professionals for outstanding achievements and community involvement" by City Life Magazine and the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce.

In November, Armstrong won the same award that was presented by the Louisiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance was founded with the goal to improve the quality of life through health and fitness and recreational activities. AAHPERD envisions a society in which all individuals enjoy an optimal quality of life through appreciation of and participation in an active and creative, health-promoting lifestyle. Members of AAHPERD and its national, district, and state associations are recognized as dynamic role models in the realization of this desired future. Members and staff are fully committed to accepting responsibility for continued determination of this future.

Southern District AAHPERD is to support and promote the aims of AAHPERD and assist in strengthening the state associations of the 13 states which comprise this District: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

About Centenary College of Louisiana

Centenary College is a private, four-year arts and sciences college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1825, it is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Centenary is one of 16 colleges and universities constituting the Associated Colleges of the South and has been recognized as "One of the Best 371 Colleges" by the Princeton Review and one of "America's Best Colleges" and one of "America's Best Private Colleges" by Forbes.com. In 2008 Centenary College celebrated 100 years in Shreveport and Bossier City.