Office of Public Affairs Acadia University Wolfville, Nova Scotia B0P 1X0 (902) 585-1362 Fax (902) 585-1072 News Release For Release:  April 26, 2001

Acadia announces $400,000 in support of a new Kinesiology Laboratory

(Wolfville, NS) – On Monday April 16 Dr. Kelvin Ogilvie, President of Acadia University and Dr. Michael Leiter, Vice-President (Academic), announced $400,000 in support of new laboratory facilities for the study of kinesiology. The new facilities will include four laboratories to support classes in exercise physiology, motor development and biomechanics. Construction will commence this summer.

Dr. Ogilvie says, “This is a new space to meet newly emerging needs. Kinesiology has evolved greatly as a major program at Acadia. It is a research-based discipline and there are no existing facilities to meet these growing needs. The new laboratories will enable the faculty to carry out research with undergraduate students, allowing the program to provide a far more complete academic experience.”

Kinesiology is a relatively new program at Acadia in both its focus and identity, evolving from the School of Physical Education. The faculty shifted the program’s emphasis over a period of years and formally changed its degree to a Bachelor of Kinesiology. The new laboratory facilities will make the program a leader in Canada, enhancing the existing program and helping it to continue to evolve.

As a science oriented study, laboratories play a key role in the learning process for kinesiology students. The new Acadia labs will give undergraduate and honours students a hands on approach to their studies. Like other Acadia Advantage classrooms, these facilities will have the latest technology to enhance the learning environment.

Dr. Gary Ness, Director of the School of Recreation Management and Kinesiology indicated that “the new kinesiology science lab will be fully equipped with Acadia Advantage internet wiring allowing for immediate on site analysis of data, making students more participatory in their laboratory studies.”

Faculty and students are excited about the possibilities these new labs present. New kinesiology labs will enable Acadia students to set up long-term studies as well as providing teaching and research space. Dr. Rene Murphy, professor of kinesiology says, “I’m very enthusiastic about the lab construction because it will provide a better environment for teaching as well as for research, giving the students an enhanced experience.”

This summer, there are 6 kinesiology students and one biology student working on their honours thesis research with faculty in kinesiology.  The construction of the labs will eventually provide kinesiology faculty and their students the necessary space to conduct their research.  The newly formed Centre of Lifestyle Studies will also greatly benefit from the construction of these facilities.

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For more information contact:
Sheri Woodland
Communications Manager
Office of Public Affairs
Acadia University
(902) 585-1362
 
 
 

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Published by: The Office of Public Affairs Last revised: April 26, 2001 URL: http://www.acadiau.ca/whatsnew/newsrelease/2001/KinesLab_Apr26.html