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April 3, 1998
New wellness center to conduct research,
promote fitness
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- A new wellness center at Purdue University will be devoted
to research on exercise, fitness, nutrition and health and will provide exercise
and fitness services to faculty, staff and the public.
The A.H. Ismail Fitness and Nutrition Research and Education Center, scheduled to
open this fall, is a joint effort between the Department of Health, Kinesiology and
Leisure Studies in the School of Liberal Arts and the Department of Foods and Nutrition
in the School of Consumer and Family Sciences.
The 3,000-square-foot facility on the ground floor of Lambert Fieldhouse will house
a research and assessment area and exercise facilities. It also will serve as a clinical
education setting for undergraduate and graduate students in both departments.
"The Ismail Center will serve the campus community and the Greater Lafayette area,"
said Thomas Templin, head of the Department of Health, Kinesiology and Leisure Studies.
"Beyond our research agenda, we will offer services such as health-risk appraisals,
personal exercise trainers and an open exercise area." Templin said the facility probably
will be able to serve up to 300 clients per semester.
The center is named for the late Professor Ismail, an internationally respected scholar
who devoted his professional life to understanding the physical, mental and emotional
aspects of exercise and fitness. Ismail, who taught at Purdue from 1958 to 1984,
is known for his efforts to connect research and practice by creating Purdue's Adult
Fitness Program, which will be integrated into the Ismail Center.
The expanded opportunities for research and teaching to be provided by the center
are much-needed on the Purdue campus, according to Connie Weaver, head of the Department
of Foods and Nutrition. "The Ismail Center will give students majoring in nutrition,
fitness and health a teaching facility for research with participants in exercise
intervention studies. Right now we have to use the Recreational Gymnasium or other
facilities that are already heavily used and not always available at convenient times."
The university is funding the $160,000 construction cost as well as recurring expenses
for the Ismail Center. Donations from the departments and private individuals will
purchase the exercise and assessment equipment needed for the facility.
Donations are being accepted by the Purdue Foundation and should be designated as
going to the Purdue Foundation/Ismail Center.
CONTACTS: Templin, (765) 494-3178;
Weaver, (765) 494-8231
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
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