Junior Sport and Recreation Management student, Nicole Bizuga, was recently awarded the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS) Delores M. Andy Scholarship Award for 2009. The award honors the dedicated service of Delores Andy, Professor Emerita and former Commissioner of the Department of Recreation in Philadelphia under Mayor W. Wilson Goode. It also presents an exclusive opportunity for an undergraduate student to attend the Annual Conference of the PRPS to meet and network with recreation and park professionals, as well as students from other colleges. This year’s conference was held at the Hershey Resort and Conference Center in Hershey, Pa., from March 7-11.

Bizuga is currently the marketing coordinator for the STHM Student Association, an active member of the Sport and Recreation Professionals Association (SRPA) and a student worker for the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM). She completed her junior internship at the Wachovia Center, working in marketing, sales and promotions, and is looking into a variety of recreation sites for her senior internship. “I want to work for a non-profit,” said Bizuga, referencing her experience in life guarding and coaching tennis. “So I’m looking to get into the YMCA.”

In addition to her impressive resume, Bizuga has won the respect and attention of many of her STHM professors and co-workers. In a letter of recommendation for Bizuga, Professor Ted Tedrick said, “Her spirit is uplifting and it is easy to see that she has selected an appropriate human service field such as recreation. She truly strives to bring out the best in others through her good work.” Tedrick also highlighted Bizuga’s willingness to take on challenges and her active and friendly personality in and out of the classroom.

Bizuga, along with Professors Susan Lohoefer and Ira Shapiro from STHM, attended the conference, which offered several resources including informational workshops on upcoming park and recreation events, a career fair and guest speakers. “It was a great networking opportunity, especially because Dr. Shapiro knew so many people,” said Bizuga. “I got to meet Professor Delores Andy, and learn about why she was so passionate in her field.”

The magnitude of Professor Delores Andy’s service to the education and health of the community translates into the ideals of STHM’s mission today. “Our undergraduates need to be a part of the best and brightest who serve their community,” said Andy. “This conference is an opportunity for them to appreciate that making money should not be their life’s goal.”

In his letter, Tedrick continued, “The ideals of selfless service and caring for others that represented Delores’s career in the public and educational sectors are well-represented in the work and outstanding service activities that Nicole has demonstrated in her educational journey to date at Temple.”

Bizuga thanked her mentors, Professors Lohoefer, Tedrick and Shapiro for their support and guidance. She is looking forward to her final year with STHM and is eager to make her own impact in the sport and recreation industry. “To serve people, meet people and keep people healthy,” said Bizuga, “That’s why I’ve chosen this career path.”