The College at Brockport Recognized for Promoting Healthy Living

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BROCKPORT, NY (01/07/2009)(readMedia)-- Karen Logsdon, assistant to the vice president of the Division of Enrollment and Student Affairs, and Joshua Fegley, health promotions coordinator, were awarded the State University of New York (SUNY) Outstanding Student Affairs Program Award for their holistic student health initiative, BodyWise. Bodywise is a comprehensive weight and fitness management program designed to help significantly overweight students improve their health through lifestyle changes incorporating the mind, body, and spirit. The awards were presented at the SUNY Council of Chief Student Affairs Officers' meeting in December in Saratoga Springs, NY.

The SUNY Outstanding Student Affairs Program Awards were developed three years ago to honor programs that have a positive impact on student life in SUNY colleges and universities. The four award categories are: Academic and Student Affairs Collaboration, Outcomes Assessment, Student Led Innovations, and Programs that Foster Engagement. The College at Brockport and BodyWise topped 33 other nominations to win the Outcomes Assessment category. Other SUNY schools recognized included SUNY Delhi, SUNY Oneonta and SUNY Upstate.

Fegley remarked that the program provides support and individual guidance to help students work toward reaching health, academic, and personal goals. Each student works with a team of professionals, including a personal trainer, registered dietitian, nurse practitioner, and a health educator to develop an individualized health plan. Students create support systems within the program to enhance their motivation and overall success. "We have even created a small gym in the Health Services building in order to work closely with these students."

Logsdon says, "The success of this program is due to its philosophy of lifelong health by incorporating small changes in day-to-day life over a period of two semesters, resulting in a gradual improvement of fitness and nutritional status. It has been a transformative experience for our students and extremely rewarding for our health and counseling staff. We thank the Hazen family for providing the funding for this student program."

Bodywise admits 30 students per semester into the program at a cost of $25 each to cover operating costs. Based on results from the first group of students who participated in Bodywise, those who were considered overweight were also found to have some mental health issues, such as managing stress. These findings led to changes in the program and an increased focus on mental health concerns, peer support and counseling referrals. Students can arrange for a confidential consultation by calling the Health Promotions Office at (585) 395-5240.

Group photo: L to R

1) Steve Tyrell, Vice President for Student Affairs, Alfred State University

2) Joshua Fegley, Health Promotions Coordinator, The College at Brockport

3) Karen Logsdon, Assistant to the Vice President of the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, The College at Brockport

4) Katy Wilson, Vice President for the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

5) Ed Engelbride, SUNY Vice President for Enrollment management and Student Affairs