On behalf of the faculty and staff of the Department of Health and Exercise Studies, I’d like to extend a sincere congratulations on your graduation. We know that this is not what you envisioned for your senior year, and that you’ve faced many unexpected challenges during your final semesters at NC State. But, in true Wolfpack fashion, you persevered, leaned on one another for support, and made it to your graduation. We have the unique privilege of seeing each and every one of you during your time at NC State. Whether we taught you in a 100-level HES course your first year, or you enrolled in a HES minor, we are extremely proud to have had you in our classes and help you get one step closer to graduation. After you leave NC State, we hope you implement the skills learned in your HES classes to sustain a healthy mind and body for lifelong wellbeing. With the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired during your time at NC State, and the resilience you’ve shown over the past year, we are positive that you are ready to take on any challenge that is ahead. Come back to visit and keep us apprised of your next steps. Best wishes for your continued success. Go Pack! Beth Wright Fath, MFA, CMA Department Head and Associate Teaching Professor Health and Exercise Studies
Dear Class of 2021
10,983 students taught 503 class sections 2 Isaac Frank Ormond Scholarship recipients 74 students graduating with a HES minor
“The coaching techniques we have learned taught me the value of leadership and the importance of investing in our players in order to make the most impact!”
Claire DeCroix dance
“I wanted to keep dancing in college and I found my place in the Dance minor program! All of my dance classes were a huge relief from my technical classes and allowed me to grow as an artist. In the future I hope to continue to dance and eventually teach!”
Chandler Lasater coaching education
Michelle Cobb
Michelle Cobb sports science
Claire DeCroix
Bryce McCulley
Bryce McCulley coaching education
“I loved learning about the many aspects of coaching that I didn’t know about. Learning practical ways to coach effectively was an awesome aspect of the coaching minor.”
let's hear from a few of our graduating seniors
“I loved this minor program because it gave me a more in-depth view into the world of sports science and I cant wait to apply this information in my future in physical therapy. My favorite part of the minor program was learning more details about how my body functions as an athlete and being able to better equip myself and my teammates for competition because of it!”
Chandler Lasater
Michael Cummings
Lauren Kinlaw outdoor leadership
Hannah Wubbenhorst dance
“The minor coordinators started off as teachers but now they are my family. “
Victoria Fonte sports science
Tamiyah Braswell
“I loved getting to know all the instructors in the program and see their passion for fitness embodied in their courses.”
Hannah Wubbenhorst
Lauren Kinlaw
Tamiyah Braswell dance
Victoria Fonte
Michael Cummings sports science
“The dance minor program has equipped me tremendously for dancing, choreographing, and teaching in the future. It has also expanded my personal horizons of experience, and as a result has deeply influenced my own style and growth therein. Finally, it has helped me flourish in a community of other dancers, teachers, and mentors. I am so, so grateful I took the jump! “
“I loved getting my minor in Outdoor Leadership because I was able to explore so many passions about Outdoor Recreation that I probably would have never been able to do without the help of my professors and the help of NC State. My favorite part of gaining my minor in Outdoor Leadership was the connections I was able to make with my peers and professors who shared in the same passions as I do. My professors were so encouraging and helpful in directing me about how to use my minor in the future no matter which course I was in, I knew that I could gain advice or insight about what to do post grad from each and every one of them.”
congratulations to all students graduating with a HES minor!
“I plan to attend physical therapy school after graduation, and taking classes within the sports science minor has helped me to prepare for this next step in my career path! I hope to apply my physical therapy skills in a sports setting in the future.”
Two students use a canoe during a health and exercise studies class
As part of NC State’s General Education Program requirement, every undergraduate student takes classes in the Department of Health and Exercise Studies. However, the department has much more to offer, including several minors and community building experiences.
As part of the Division of Academic and Student Affairs and University College, the Department of Health and Exercise Studies (HES) fosters an inclusive academic environment to educate and inspire students to build and sustain a healthy body and mind for lifelong productivity and wellbeing. Each year, nearly 15,000 students enroll annually in on-campus and distance education sections, thanks to the efforts of more than 30 faculty and instructors. However, HES is far more than just exercise, as courses create communities filled with diverse students from different majors, minors and backgrounds, providing collaborative and interactive experiences. We spoke with Lindsay Rusczak, administrative and marketing assistant for HES, about the department’s fitness initiatives, their adjustments since COVID-19, and ways that students can get involved. Tell us about the Department of Health and Exercise Studies and its role at NC State. HES is one of the oldest academic departments at NC State, approaching its centennial anniversary in 2023. NC State’s General Education Program (GEP) requirement that students complete HES credits has been in place since the department was established, which illustrates the university’s long-standing commitment to the health and wellness of our community. We are a unique academic department because, through the GEP requirement, we see every undergraduate student during their time at NC State. With this opportunity, our mission is to foster an inclusive academic environment in which we educate and inspire students to build and sustain a healthy body and mind for lifelong productivity and wellbeing.To achieve this, our focus is two-fold: we offer five academic minors and offer GEP courses. We have students who go beyond the required two HES credits because they want to explore more of our course offerings. Other students find that taking HES classes helps manage stress and provides dedicated time to be active and prioritize wellness. We’ve really tried to broaden our offerings for students with diverse interests, and to help students discover new passions. Over time, the department expanded its offerings to nearly 100 different types of activities. Many students discover a new favorite activity or a career path from trying classes that wouldn’t otherwise be available to them, such as scuba diving, karate or rock climbing. And, students learn from faculty who are not only experts in different academic disciplines with years of practice, but also enjoy sharing their passion with students at any experience level. How does HES help students reach their academic and fitness goals? Many students take HES classes not just for the credit, but to gain skills in a certain field. We aim to provide the best education, training and experiences to prepare students for their intended careers. For example, students in the sports science minor often apply to graduate school for occupational and physical therapy. By the time they finish the minor, those students will have had coursework in anatomy, physiology, nutrition and health behavior, and have the foundational knowledge needed for graduate school. Other students come into HES classes with specific fitness goals in mind, or they develop them during the class. Whether it is being able to do more push-ups, increase body mass, develop a fitness plan or learn mindfulness, we will help each student achieve their goals in a safe, educational environment. Tell us about the HES curriculum and the minor degree options in the program. Also, what is the Take 8 at NC State program? Our curriculum includes a variety of both activity and lecture courses, and courses for our five minor programs. Students must take two credits in health and exercise studies before they graduate. One credit must come from our 100-level offerings, which include fitness and wellness courses focused on the fundamentals of health-based fitness. The other credit may be a 200-level activity course which teaches the skills, history and concepts of physical activities and sports. We offer minors in outdoor leadership, coaching education, health, sports science and dance. Oftentimes, a student will take one class in a minor as their GEP requirement, realize they have an interest in and want to specialize in that area of coursework, and enroll in the minor. Many of our 200-level classes fulfill minor requirements. Other students see our minors as an opportunity to gain a formal education in a specific field that may not be offered anywhere else at NC State or at other colleges. For example, students interested in rock climbing or coaching can start to turn those interests into careers by minoring in outdoor leadership or coaching education. Take 8 at NC State is a program to encourage students to stay active each semester and to dig deeper into HES course offerings by taking more than the required two credits. Students who complete 8 credits of activity classes from the 100-level and 200-level classes before graduation receive a HES Take 8 at NC State t-shirt, and those who complete 4 credits receive a HES water bottle. Beyond the prizes, our goal is that students build lifetime skills committing to health and wellness, and stress management. Taking a class each semester builds structure for regular activity and academic disciplinary exploration. The Take 8 at NC State program started in 2010, and so far we’ve had over 400 students complete it. How has HES adapted and how have classes changed during COVID-19? Assuming the university returns to normal operations in the fall, are there any virtual experiences or aspects of the program that you expect to continue offering moving forward? Moving classes online is challenging for any department at NC State, and moving classes that primarily occur in the water, on fields or even a rock climbing wall was even harder. However, our faculty quickly adapted to teaching their classes online because they needed to keep classes moving forward. With about a 48-hour timeframe, we were able to successfully transition over 230 class sections online without skipping a beat. Some classes were able to meet synchronously over Zoom, such as yoga and dance classes. Others, such as sea kayaking, required more creativity, adding in pre-recorded lecture videos and reading materials to supplement activity-based learning. We’ve found that students enjoy having a hybrid class setting, where half of the class is online and in-person each week. This reduces the number of students in each class, yet all of the students in the class have the chance to learn in person. We will continue to offer hybrid classes in the fall if it is necessary to limit the number of students in class at the same time. What is something that students might not know or realize about HES? We provide so many opportunities for students beyond the required two classes. Students may come to NC State and not explore our courses beyond taking their HES credits, but we encourage them to look into our other offerings. College is the time to explore your interests, and it’s easy to just take the necessary classes for your major without seeing what else is out there. We have opportunities for students to engage in research, gain certifications and practical skills, and travel around the country, all while receiving college credit. Many of our classes allow students to pursue hobbies and personal interests in an academic setting, while training and learning from faculty who are disciplinary leaders in their respective fields. Students can also pursue independent studies or fulfill requirements for the University Honors Program. Anything else you want the DASA and NC State community to know? Yes, we are proud of the accomplishments of HES faculty, and our unique commitment to IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access) that comes from the GEP requirement. In addition to holding advanced and terminal degrees in their respective fields, many faculty are also disciplinary experts who regularly present regionally, nationally and internationally. The HES GEP requirement provides us with a unique opportunity and responsibility. This is the only place on campus where all undergraduate students are together, regardless of their areas of study. Our classes reflect the truly diverse nature of NC State as we teach students of different geographic and religious backgrounds, genders and sexual orientations. That means we have a responsibility to provide access, be inclusive, and build community and a sense of belonging. There are several ways in which these already happen, such as: Offering almost 100 different types of activity courses which provide access students may have not previously had, and to address diverse interests; Most classes do not require additional fees or purchasing specialized equipment; Specialized courses for specific populations (100 level sections for students with ADHD, and Adapted PE for students if they are unable to participate in other sections); Offering beginner level access to most disciplines. For example, you do have to have taken golf or ballet prior to enrolling; Small class sizes which allow for more faculty and student interaction, and lastly, Inherent in the nature of the disciplines in our department is team- and community-building. These two aspects of our department are not mutually exclusive. Our accomplished faculty are essential to providing inclusive and accessible classes, and the diverse student population enhances the instruction, skills and perspectives of our faculty. We are excited for how this relationship will further impact not only the Department of Health and Exercise Studies, but the larger NC State community as well.
Get to Know HES
By Caleb White, DASA Marketing and Communications Intern Story previously published in Academic and Student Affairs News
Outdoor yoga class
Continue reading for interviews with Wayne and Chris!
Chris Ousley senior lecturer 30 years Nita Horne Lecturer 25 years Gary Wayne Pollard Associate professor 32 years Larry Brown associate professor 45 years
When did you start teaching at NC State? I started teaching at NCSU on July 1, 1989. Before coming to NCSU I taught at UNC- CH from 1977 – 1981 ; and at Duke University from 1981 – 1987. What has your teaching specialty been during your time here? I was the Aquatics Director for our Department from 1989 until 1998. I taught Scuba Diving; Lifeguard Training; and most of the Aquatics classes offered during those years. My primary Research areas were Studies on Decompression Sickness in Sport Divers and Oxygen Administration for Drowning victims by Lifeguards. I was promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure in 1996. After 1998 my primary Teaching Specialty areas were Scuba, Karate, Archery, and Weight (Strength) Training. What special roles/positions have you held in the HES department? I have served on numerous University and Departmental Committees throughout my Tenure at NCSU. What honors/awards have you received over the course of your HES career? Outstanding Teaching Awards (including Student Choice Awards) 5 times. Six Research Grants for studies on Decompression Sickness and Diver Training in Fragile Marine Environments. What have been some of your favorite parts of your experience teaching at NC State? Teaching NCSU Biology students – Scuba Diving on Australia’s Barrier Reef. Do you have a favorite memory from your time teaching at NC State? Fishing with Terry Dash. What’s next for you? I’m going to spend more time with my wife of 40 years, work with the Orange County Prison Ministry (part time), and Habitat for Humanity (part time). I am also presently building a two-story treehouse on a 900 sq. ft. platform supported by three enormous White Oaks. Guess you could say I’m going to ‘Refire’ when I ‘Retire’.
Gary Wayne Pollard, or Coach Pollard and Sensei Pollard to his students, began his teaching career at NC State in 1989. During his tenure, Wayne developed a reputation for not only teaching the skills of karate, archery, or scuba, but for helping his students gain a deep appreciation for these art forms.
"Karate is not just a job or a hobby, but a way of life for Mr. Pollard. He seeks to develop us morally through teaching us the art of karate. He knows the art so well and seeks to keep it alive. The way he talks about each move you can tell how much he cares about it. He also cares so deeply about each of his students, wanting us not only to execute the skills well, but also to develop character traits through our practice. The class is fun and entertaining, but also makes you work hard and focus. Mr. Pollard is extremely fit, but shows us that karate is all about technique, not a certain body type. Mr. Pollard is going to retire soon to his and our dismay because he can no longer pass on the beautiful art nor watch his students grow in karate and in character." - HESS 235 Karate student, spring 2021 semester
"Coach Ousley is a very informative teacher on kickboxing techniques and exercises. He always brings a good attitude and pushes all of us even when we don’t want to exercise anymore because he knows what’s best for us. All around good guy!" - HESF 112 Fitness Kickboxing student, spring 2021 semester
Chris Ousley joined the HES Department in 1991, and has taught a variety of classes including Self Defense, Human Sexuality, and Fitness Kickboxing. Over his 30 years with HES, Chris was known for his dedication to the physical and mental wellbeing of his students.
When did you start teaching at NC State? August 1991 What has your teaching specialty been during your time here? I taught HESM 213 Human Sexuality for 25 years. HESS 239 Self Defense has been a major part of my teaching career. I have presented Self Defense seminars at several conferences and published an article on Self Defense. What special roles/positions have you held in the HES department? I have been the Chair of two hiring committees, served on the Advisory Committee a couple of times. What honors/awards have you received over the course of your HES career? I have received the X-Factor Award and the Paul Derr Award. What have been some of your favorite parts of your experience teaching at NC State? I developed the HESF 112 Fitness Kickboxing course. It was a time of creative "madness" for me. I wrote a 60 page manual that contains dozens of workouts. Teaching the class has been especially satisfying. What is the biggest change you have seen during your time here? The use of computers has been a blessing in some cases and a nightmare in others. Do you have a favorite memory from your time teaching at NC State? This memory comes from my alcohol and drug class. A student came up to me at the end of the semester and explained how this class had helped to change his life in reference to drinking alcohol. He realized that his pattern of use was leading him on the way to being an alcoholic. He thanked me for helping him realize what was happening in his life. What’s next for you? I have about 100 + books that I want to read. So I will get started on those and then also do some volunteer work. Thank you NC State for a great career and plenty of awesome life experiences!
I initially found this position when searching for an internship experience to fulfill my senior year internship requirement for my Public Relations major. I was searching for an internship at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, so opportunities felt few and far between. When I found this experience on the ePack portal, I was immediately excited. It combined my passions for communication strategy, writing, and multimedia work. I am also personally very passionate about health and wellness in daily life, so this was a great opportunity to draw on that interest and make an impact in my NC State community!
Senior Spotlight
Eliza is a senior at NC State and has served the HES Department as the Social Media and Communications Intern for the 20-21 academic year.
Eliza Barsanti
How did you hear about this internship and why did you apply?
Majors: Public Relations and International Studies Minor: French
What have you been involved with at NC State? I am a Caldwell Fellow here at NC State. The Caldwell Fellows is an organization of students selected in their first year who have an interest in leading, learning, growing, serving others, and creating social change in the community. This program has had a huge impact on my university experience! With the Caldwell Fellows, I’ve been a teaching assistant in the course, Foundations in Self-Development, and I’ve been the co-leader of a project that brings STEM camp activities to a school in rural North Carolina called Service NC. I’ve performed with Ladies in Red A Cappella for the past four years, and served as president of the group for the past two years! I am a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), and have had internships with Global Training Initiative and the NC-based voter rights organization You Can Vote. I also volunteer with Interfaith Food Shuttle, which is a super cool organization that works to combat the problem of food insecurity in Wake County.
What were the roles, responsibilities, and projects you've worked on during your internship with us? My main responsibilities include writing biweekly news features for the HES website, and producing a biweekly podcast that showcases all that the HES department has to offer! I also provide support to Lindsay, our full-time Marketing Assistant, on various social media and branding projects, and help with outreach between the department and its students and faculty. What was your favorite project? I have loved hosting the HES Department’s Talk 8 at State podcast . (If you haven’t already, give it a listen on Spotify!) Personally, I love people and conversations. It’s part of why I’m a Public Relations major. Initially, I simply loved having the excuse to talk to strangers over Zoom amid a pandemic. The more I worked on the project, the more I began to realize that hosting and producing this podcast gave me the opportunity to talk to a new person every couple of weeks, and learn all about their stories, dreams, and wellness journeys. It’s been so gratifying to be able to amplify these voices and tell these stories to the NC State community.
What skills did you acquire in this internship to help you in your intended career or future? In addition to the practical skills I’ve refined, like article writing, branding, and multimedia production, I think one of the biggest things this internship has given me is a relentless can-do attitude! If a faculty member has a vision, it’s my job to help bring that vision to life, even if I’m not sure I have the skillset to do that yet. This experience has illustrated that no matter what project is thrown to me, I can take advantage of my resources and personal drive to make a final product that I’m proud of. I can’t wait to bring this mentality into my next position! What is your favorite NC State memory or what will you miss most once you graduate? One of the things I’ll miss the most is probably having all of the people, organizations, and projects I care about in such a close proximity. One of the things I think we take for granted about college is how we can walk from a class we love to a meeting with an organization we care about to a meal with a friend we want to catch up with. Everything is right here, and I have time to nourish all the parts of who I am! "A massive thank you to NC State HES for giving me the opportunity to get creative professional experience and help you all continue to impact the NC State community!"
We encourage you to stay healthy and active after graduation. Use this exercise planner to dedicate time for workouts wherever you may be. Remember that HES faculty and staff are always here for you even after you graduate.
Department of Health and Exercise Studies 1170 Wellness and Recreation Center Campus Box 8111 Raleigh, NC 27695
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Stay in touch with Health and Exercise Studies
hes.dasa.ncsu.edu