Feingold Honored as National Leader in Kinesiology
Posted on June 20, 2016
Alumni Named as NAKHE Fellows
Four alumni of the University of New Mexico have been honored as Fellows by the National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education (NAKHE). These distinguished graduates earned doctoral degrees from Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences (HESS), a department within the College of Education.
“These four HESS alumni established themselves as outstanding professionals and went on to become true leaders in fitness, physical education, health, and sport, both nationally and internationally,” says Dr. Todd Seidler, chair of Health, Exercise and Sport Sciences. “Their success has enhanced the reputation of UNM as one of the top PE graduate programs in the country and is a point of pride for former and current students and faculty.”
Feingold Honored as National Leader in Kinesiology
Dr. Ron Feingold
A strong proponent of sports and physical education for youth, Dr. Ron Feingold has been honored by the National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education (NAKHE) as a NAKHE Fellow. Professor Emeritus and former chair of the Department of Exercise Science, Health Studies, Physical Education and Sport Management at Adelphi University, Feingold earned his Ph.D. from UNM in 1972.
When Ron Feingold came to the University of New Mexico in 1969 as a doctoral student in the College of Education, his intent was to learn as much as he could about a wide range of disciplines associated with physical education. Having coached at the University of Illinois and the University of Arizona, he wanted to further his education in order to make a bigger impact.
Growing up in Chicago in a family of modest means, Feingold “learned about life through sport.” He believes that sports and physical education for youth should be a vital part of their development into healthy productive citizens. As a result, his life’s work has focused on “influencing leaders who are involved with the physical education of children.”
Feingold chose UNM because he liked the southwestern United States and because the university offered one of the nation’s few doctoral programs in physical education at that time. His doctoral research focused on exercise physiology, but he intentionally expanded his coursework to include a wide range of disciplines, including psychology, sociology, adaptive physical education, pedagogy, and more. At UNM, he also served as head of the graduate students in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.
Feingold’s wide range of interests and his leadership skills have been reflected in his more than 40 years as an administrator. “I like to bring people together to solve problems,” he says. His bases his leadership style on “respecting people coming from all different disciplines.” Colleague and friend Dr. Charles Corbin notes Feingold’s “even temperament, leadership skills developed over years as a chair, and vision for the future.”
In addition to serving as department chair at Adelphi University, Feingold was also the Dean of the Ruth S. Ammon School of Education from 2004-2009. Nationally, he has held several administrative roles in professional organizations, including the National Association of Physical Education in Higher Education (NAPEHE), which eventually became the NAKHE. Currently, he serves as a member of the NAKHE Board of Directors.
Dr. Feingold is also known for his work with the American Heart Association, the development of a school for autistic children, the establishment of an orphanage in Kenya, and numerous other activities promoting health, physical education, and wellbeing among children and youth.
In addition to the Ph.D. from the UNM, Feingold earned a M.Ed. from the University of Arizona, and a B.S. from the University of Illinois.
About the Department of Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences
The Department of Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences (HESS) within the College of Education at the University of New Mexico offers undergraduate and graduate degrees to prepare professionals who will positively impact the health and wellbeing of children, adolescents, and adults. The department offers curricula in athletic training, exercise science, community health education, physical education, and sport administration. Undergraduate programs prepare students to be highly qualified teachers and community leaders in health and fitness professions and physical education. The graduate program offers advanced degrees that prepare students for positions in higher education; scientific research; and community, public, and worksite leadership, particularly regarding health, fitness, or sports.
