Campus Recreation begins search for permanent director

By Jason A. Vrtis
Arizona Daily Wildcat
November 21, 1996

Adam F. Jarrold
Arizona Daily Wildcat

Murray DeArmond, director of Campus Health and Wellness Services, said he is optimistic that the UA will find a highly qualified person to be the new director of Campus Recreation.

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The UA is beginning the search for a permanent director of Campus Recreation after the sudden resignation of Grant Smith in June.

Smith tendered his resignation June 4 after nearly nine years as a University of Arizona employee. No reason was given for his resignation and no additional information was available from Murray DeArmond, director of Campus Health and Wellness Services.

Brian Carswell, associate director of Campus Recreation, took over as interim director.

An 11-member screening committee chaired by Carol Thompson, associate dean of students, will begin reviewing applications Nov. 22 until the position is filled, Thompson said. The committee will report to DeArmond, who will report to Saundra Taylor, vice president of student affairs and campus life.

Taylor will make the final decision.

DeArmond said the UA is in a good position to recruit talented people because of the strong recreation department and the menu of programs it offers.

"I would say that it is arguably one of the leading recreation programs in the country," DeArmond said.

Thompson said the committee will look for applicants who are strong advocates for the recreational needs of students and can work with a diverse campus population.

Both Thompson and DeArmond said candidates must have a specific vision for the role of campus recreation in higher education for the future.

"Our future will be framed by a challenge to broaden and strengthen recreational resources on campus to make it a major contributor to the quality of the student experience at the UA," DeArmond said.

Committee members include: Kathleen "Rocky" LaRose, senior associate director of athletics; Maria Elena Moreno, office specialist in the Dean of Students' Office; John Mosser, outreach counselor in the Center for Disability Related Resources; Richard Romero, assistant director of Campus Recreation; James Van Arsdel, director of Residence Life; Mirum Washington-White, assistant director of Campus Recreation for fitness; and Dudley Woodard, educational administration and higher education department head.

The committee will also include three members of the Campus Recreation's student advisory committee - Samson Sanders, higher education graduate student; Shawn Steinberg, sociology senior; and Associated Students President Rhonda Wilson.

The position has been advertised nationally in The Chronicle of Higher Education, and direct mailings were sent to 1,700 members of the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association, Thompson said.

With the holidays approaching, DeArmond said finalists will not make campus visits until February.

He said the hiring will be done in the spring.


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