UA Department Head And Professor Sharon B. Hunt Appointed Interim Dean Of The College Of Education And Health Professions

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Sharon B. Hunt, professor and head of the department of health science, kinesiology, recreation and dance (HKRD), has been named interim dean for the College of Education and Health Professions, replacing Charles E. Stegman, who will complete his tenure as dean on June 30, 2000. Hunt begins her yearlong appointment on July 1.

"Dr. Hunt has a well-deserved and established reputation on this campus and in our community for her integrity, her can-do attitude, and for her overall leadership capabilities," said Dan Bennett, interim vice chancellor for academic affairs. "I am extremely pleased that she has agreed to accept the position of interim dean of the College and look forward to working with her in her new role."

As head of the HKRD department, Hunt is responsible for providing leadership to the departmental faculty, managing more than 400 undergraduate majors and nearly 200 graduate students and the 188,000-square-foot HPER building which houses the department and serves as the major recreational facility for students, faculty, staff and alumni. Hunt also oversees the extensive Intramural/Recreation Sports Program and the outdoor Recreation Center. As interim dean for the College, Hunt will oversee six departments of study representing a wide range of education and health programs, 150 faculty and more than 2300 undergraduate and graduate students.

"I am honored that Chancellor John White and Vice Chancellor Dan Bennett have confidence in my ability to serve as interim dean for the College of Education and Health Professions," Hunt said. "It will be a privilege to serve the students, faculty, staff and alumni of my alma mater. Together, we will move our college forward into the 21^st century and claim the bright future that awaits us."

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.

Hunt, 48, 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. She is the author of many of publications, has made numerous presentations at state, national and international conferences, and has worked as a recreation consultant on many research projects pertaining to recreation and physical education.

Hunt was named in the "Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges," was the Outstanding Senior Woman in Physical Education at the U of A and an Outstanding College Athlete of America. While at the U of A, she was on the Mortar Board, was president of the Women's Recreational Association, and graduated magna cum laude. In both 1981 and 1982, Hunt was nominated for the University of Kentucky's "Great Teacher Award."

Sharon Hunt has been married to David Hunt, a long-time educator in the Fayetteville Public School system, for more than 26 years. They have two children, Justin and Ashley, and live in Fayetteville.

###