Rec Center fills director position after 10 months

Juliette Moore, director of campus recreation at Northern Illinois University since 1991 and president of the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association, was chosen over finalists Stan Campbell, director of campus recreation at the University of Nebraska, and Dixie Bennett, director of recreational sports at the Loyola University Chicago, said Dr. Murray DeArmond, director of Campus Health and Wellness Services.

"I'm really delighted to confirm she will be the new director," DeArmond said. "We got a winner."

DeArmond said Moore's 20 years of experience in the recreation field and her numerous leadership roles with the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association made her the superior candidate.

In addition to Moore's professional credentials, DeArmond said her personal qualities and ability to get along with others made her the ideal choice.

"I think she's going to be terrific," he said. "She sees the importance of recreation and education, and I think she'll be great at relating to the students."

An 11-member search committee with representatives from several campus organizations, including the Associated Students, the athletic department, the Residence Hall Association and the Student Recreation Center, met with the three candidates in March and submitted evaluations to DeArmond.

DeArmond said he reviewed the evaluations and consulted with Saundra Taylor, vice president for student affairs and campus life, who conducted a phone interview with each candidate, before a final decision was made.

The individual evaluations DeArmond reviewed expressed a universal excitement for Moore, DeArmond said.

Moore said yesterday that she is eager to start her new position as director of the Rec Center.

"I'm excited and thrilled and can't wait to get back to the sunshine," said Moore, who received the NIRSA outstanding leadership and service award in 1996.

"I've always admired the program at the U of A and look forward to being at the helm and working with the great staff of people," she said.

Some of the first goals on Moore's agenda are establishing contact with the numerous organizations on campus and planning a program to welcome new students to the Rec Center in the fall.

During her campus visit in March, Moore stressed that unity among the staff was critical to the program's survival.

"We need to build bridges between departments and initiate contact," Moore said during a meeting with Rec Center student employees in March. "We have to be able to work together as a team because we all need each other."

Moore said during her March visit that the high student population at the university, the pool facility at the Rec Center and the challenge of managing a large professional and student staff attracted her to the position.

Rec Center professional and student employees were happy about Moore being named director.

Brian Carswell, interim director of the Department of Campus Recreation, said he has known Moore for several years through their mutual involvement with NIRSA and is looking forward to continuing the good relationship they have had.

"This should be a real exciting time for the department and the university," he said.

Kim Clark, coordinator for facilities, was also excited to hear of Moore's appointment.

"Her energy, enthusiasm and leadership will be a great asset to our department," Clark said.

Mirum Washington White, assistant director for intramurals and sport clubs, said having the president of NIRSA as director will benefit the university.

"I have a high amount of respect for her as a person and a professional; she's a quality individual," he said. "My estimation is that she is one of the top 10 directors in the country, and it's a major asset for the department to get someone of her caliber."

Moore replaces Grant Smith, who resigned June 4.

Smith later filed a $6 million claim against the UA, DeArmond, and Taylor, stating that he was forced to resign and was discriminated against because of his clinical depression.

Carswell has been serving as interim director since Smith's resignation.