Ricketts Receives Barash Award For Service

3-28-96
University Park, Pa. --- Dr. Robert Ricketts, an instructor in exercise and sports science at Penn State, has been selected to receive the University's 1996 Barash Award for Human Service.

The Barash Award for Human Service recognizes a full-time member of the Penn State faculty, staff or student body at University Park who has contributed most, apart from regular duties, to human causes or public service. The activities must have been performed in University Park, the Borough of State College or the townships of College, Patton, Harris or Ferguson.

At the Faculty/Staff Awards ceremony, Sunday March 31, Ricketts will be honored for his dedication and work with several community organizations including the YMCA, Second Mile, Centre County United Way, Outing Club and College Township Recreation Committee.

For the State College YMCA, he has served on the board of directors, serving as president and currently, as vice president; and he chaired the program committee. His leadership assisted in the construction of a climbing wall in the gym and the fitness path stations on the grounds of the YMCA building. He also recruited students from Outward Bound classes and other classes as volunteers and interns.

With The Second Mile, Ricketts has been involved as a host parent for a young man in foster care, an adult volunteer for The Friend Program and a consultant to the Summer Challenge camps, which have grown from serving 35 youngsters to 400 youngsters statewide. He encouraged many of his students to participate in this community service, and provided the leadership direction necessary for his students to design and implement particular Friend events.

The Ricketts continued to serve as foster parents for the young man and provided a home until he graduated from high school. The young man currently serves in the military and considers the Ricketts his "family."

Another achievement is his work as a member of the Penn State United Way Committee. As coordinator of the College of Health and Human Development effort, he developed a record-breaking for college participation in 1990.

Other community activities include Leadership Centre County, College Township Recreation Committee and Centre Region Parks and Recreation Department. At the University, he was instrumental in the growth of the Outing Club, which has more than 1,300 student members today, and the development of instructional courses and leadership seminars.

"The impact that Bob has had on the entire community is remarkable," said a colleague. "He moves forward with great energy and brings youth, Penn State students and community groups together to make the Centre Region a better place for us all."

Ricketts teaches courses in outdoor/adventure programming and health/fitness management. His research interests are in outdoor skills development, outdoor programming, and physiological of survival. He has a D.Ed., 1987 in exercise and sport science from Penn State.

**vf**