Adelphi University Dean, Student, and Alumna Receive Top Awards from the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) honored an Adelphi University administrator, student, and alumna with its highest awards. On March 30, 2007, a reception was held at Adelphi University with Adelphi alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends. 

About the Award Recipients
Ronald S. Feingold, dean of the Adelphi University Ruth S. Ammon School of Education received the Luther Halsey Gulick Medal for his leadership, dedication, and distinguished career in health and physical education. He has developed programs and services that enable individuals to pursue healthy lifestyles at every age. Prior to his appointment as dean, Dr. Feingold served as the chair of the Adelphi department of health studies, physical education, and human performance science for more than 30 years. A world-renowned expert on physical education, he has spearheaded leading national and international professional organizations and was a lead writer for the New York State Education Department’s current standards in health and physical education. He is a member and past president of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD); the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (NYSAHPERD); and the National Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (NAPEHE). He has been a member of the Long Island Board of the American Heart Association for more than 25 years and previously served as its chair and is a founding member of the North American Society for Leadership in Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.  He has received honors from the American Heart Association, Nassau County Sports Commission, and National Association in Kinesiology and Physical Education in Higher Education (NAKPEHE), among others.

Undergraduate Brian Rath ’07 won the Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship Award. The national award recognizes outstanding students for their leadership, scholarship, and community service. Mr. Rath, who majors in physical education, maintains a 3.9 grade-point average, and is the former captain of the Adelphi baseball team, is the third Adelphi student to achieve this honor. In 2006, he earned numerous awards, including the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation New York State Major of the Year and National Major of the Year, the Robert Pate Scholarship as the top physical education student in the Northeast, and East Coast Conference Baseball Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Alumna Lori Rose Benson M.A. ’98 won the 2007 National Association for Sport and Physical Education Channing Mann K-12 Physical Education Administrator of the Year Award for outstanding leadership and innovation in the field of physical education. As the New York City Department of Education director of fitness and physical education, she has revamped and revitalized physical education in the New York City schools to improve the health of students. Since 2003, Ms. Benson has spearheaded the K-12 Physical Best curriculum, which encourages students to improve their individual fitness level as they learn about the lifelong benefits of physical activity. She also helped incorporate the NYC FITNESSGRAM assessment, which provides teachers, students, and parents with information about students’ individual fitness levels and strategies for setting and achieving personal fitness goals. NYC FITNESSGRAM benefits 700 schools and 500,000 students.