At Southeastern, many faculty are members of organizations/associations that relate to the area they teach in. For one faculty member, her work earned her special recognition by an organization.

Linda Synovitz, who serves as a professor of health education and promotion in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies, recently received the Honor Award from the Southern District Association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

According to their website, the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) is the largest organization of professionals supporting and assisting professionals involved in physical education, recreation, fitness, sport and coaching, dance, health education and promotion and all specialties related to achieving a healthy and active lifestyle.  The southern district of the organization contains 13 states.

Synovitz was announced as the winner of the Honor Award during the organization’s convention in Greensboro, N.C.

Synovitz, a member of the national organization since 1980, commented on the award.

“The honor award is based on all the types of activities that professional people in my field do,” said Synovitz. “That means it’s based on my research, my publications that are the result of my research and my presentations at the district, state, national levels. Also, it includes my service not only to my university but service to professional organizations like the American School Health Association and to the state AAHPERD and to the southern district AAHPERD where I’m an officer for both.”

In addition to her involvement with AAHPERD, Synovitz conducts research in the areas of Health Behaviors, Sexuality Education and Behaviors, Complementary and Alternative health research.

As an instructor in the field of health education and promotion, Synovitz gave her opinion on the recommendation of health studies and health education programs being terminated.

“It seems that whenever states get in trouble, the first place they are going to look at is education and health services, which are two places they should not cut. So yes, I am extremely opposed to it,” said Synovitz. “I’m appalled by it, and I think a lot of people in this state are going to suffer because of it.”