FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Sharon B. Hunt, head of the UA department of health science, kinesiology, recreation and dance, has been named Higher Educator of the Year by the Arkansas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

"We in the College of Education and Health Professions have long valued Dr. Hunt’s contributions, and we are proud that she has been recognized by her professional peers," said Reed Greenwood, dean of the college.

As head of the HKRD department, Hunt leads the department’s faculty and the nearly 400 undergraduate majors and more than 150 graduate students. She is responsible for the 188,000-square-foot HPER building, which houses the department and serves as the major recreational facility for UA students, faculty, staff and alumni. Hunt also oversees the extensive Intramural/Recreation Sports Program and the Outdoor Connections Center.

Hunt received a B.S.E. and an M.Ed. from the University of Arkansas and went on to earn an Ed.D. from the University of Georgia in Athens in 1977. Prior to her tenure at the University of Arkansas, she worked as an associate professor and director of graduate studies at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. She was appointed department head of health science, kinesiology, recreation and dance at the U of A in 1990 and has served in that capacity ever since, except for one year in which she was interim dean for the college.

Hunt is a member of numerous state and national organizations, including the College and University Administrators Council; the National Recreation and Park Association; the Society of Park and Recreation Educators; and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. The author of many scholarly and professional publications, she makes frequent presentations at state, national and international conferences and has consulted on many research projects pertaining to recreation and physical education.

The Arkansas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance involves professionals in higher education, K-12, recreation and dance from throughout the state. The Higher Educator of the Year Award is presented to an individual of high moral character and personal integrity who has made outstanding and noteworthy contributions to the advancement of teaching, research, and service to Arkansas.