FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 30, 2015

For more information:
Public Relations and Marketing
Glenville State College
(304) 462-4115

GLENVILLE, WV—Students at Glenville State College now have the opportunity to take classes in the field of Health and Human Performance and major in three new programs: exercise science, health promotion, and athletic conditioning and coaching.

“There is a dramatic increase in the need for health professionals. The Health and Human Performance program will offer students multiple paths in order to pursue this need. Graduates will have the opportunity to make a real contribution to individual and community health and fitness,” said Assistant Professor of Nursing and Chair of the Health and Physical Education Department Dr. Alison Witte.

Students who complete their degree in exercise science will have a strong foundation in the life sciences which will prepare them for a variety of professional environments including: cardiac rehabilitation, personal training, cardio pulmonary technologist, collegiate strength and conditioning coach, and pharmaceutical sales representative.

Coursework in the health promotion major will teach students the skills to work in a number of public health settings including: corporate/worksite wellness, public health agencies, hospital based health agencies, community health programs, and chronic disease health promotion program coordinator.

The athletic conditioning and coaching major will prepare students for entry-level positions in: collegiate strength and conditioning, tactical strength and conditioning, athletic recruiting, and sport coaching.

Glenville State College has invested around $60,000 in diverse new equipment for the programs. In addition to devices like blood sugar and lactic acid monitors and testing kits for functional movement, the department has also added other specialized equipment. A Vertec vertical jump measurement device, a dynamometer to measure hand strength, two high-end stationary bikes, and a research-grade treadmill with monitoring equipment from Parvo Medics will all be part of the arsenal of tools available to students. The new department is housed in the refurbished Health and Physical Education Building.

The equipment and classroom furnishings were purchased with funds from a recent gift from Mike and Nancy Rust. Their generous support follows the donation last year that was used to fund the Nancy Lemon Rust Nursing Scholarship. "Mike and Nancy's continued support of health field initiatives here at Glenville State College is greatly appreciated in the current climate of decreasing state funding. This Health and Human Performance initiative would not have been possible without their support," said Dennis Pounds, Vice President for College Advancement at GSC.

These new degree programs, along with the physical education (PreK-adult) and Pre-Nursing programs, have been organized under GSC’s new department of Health and Physical Education.

For more information about any of the offerings in the Health and Physical Education Department, contact Witte at Alison.Witte@glenville.edu or (304) 462-6212.