Texas A&M recreation, park and tourism science department celebrates 50th anniversary

By: Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, [email protected]

Contact: Dr. Gary Ellis, 979-845-6018, [email protected]

Debbie Barnes, 979-845-7324, [email protected]

COLLEGE STATION — The recreation, park and tourism sciences department of the Texas A&M University System recently held a 50th anniversary celebration attended by almost 300 people, including faculty, staff and former and current students.

The celebration, which took place April 21-22 on the Texas A&M campus in College Station, consisted of a reception, muster, on-campus walking tours, exhibits, an interactive classroom experience, quiz bowl and banquet featuring scholarship and award presentations, coordinators said.

The celebration’s theme, “Keeping the spirit, advancing the vision, and living the adventure!” was chosen by current recreation, park and tourism sciences students.

“For half a century, the department has worked with the park, recreation and tourism industry to provide a wealth of exciting career options to our students,” said Dr. Gary Ellis, department head. “Our former students are now managers, marketing professionals, direct service providers and entrepreneurs in an enormous range of exciting recreation and tourism careers. They work at resorts and hotels, on cruise ships, in the airline industry, at national and state parks and forests, in performing arts facilities and museums, for youth organizations and at many other businesses and agencies.”

A pre-muster breakfast was sponsored by Drs. Peter Witt and Joyce Nies in honor of Royce Wisenbaker, whom Ellis called “a humble, generous and quiet giver” and “good friend of the department” who passed away recently. Dr. Mark Hussey, vice chancellor and dean for agriculture and life sciences, welcomed attendees to the breakfast on April 22, and Ellis gave a “State of the Department” presentation.

Among the activities at the breakfast was a signing ceremony for a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service for establishing a “ProRanger” program within the department.

“This program will provide students with a route to unique opportunities through the U.S, in conjunction with the National Park Service,” Ellis said.

“The celebration was coordinated by current students in the department and they did a fantastic job of putting it together,” said Debbie Barnes, assistant to the department head.

Celebrants were shown historical artifact exhibits, a Howard Buffett photography display, an equestrian demonstration and a video interview with founding department head Dr. Leslie Reid. They also toured sites that occupied department offices over the past 50 years and participated in a virtual classroom experience with distinguished professor Dr. John Crompton.

Other activities included a tour of Kyle Field, a quiz bowl and a banquet at the Thomas Hildebrand ‘56 Equine Center.

Three founding leaders from the department — Reid, Dr. Carson Watt, former department head, and  Dr. Lou Hodges, the first “official” department head – were honored at the banquet. Additionally, Crompton made a presentation titled “Reflections on the Past and Vision for the Future,” which was followed by recognition of all department heads over the past 50 years and the presentation of undergraduate and graduate scholarships. This was followed by Rho Phi Lambda honor fraternity induction ceremony and awards to various professionals in parks, recreation and tourism.

A lap quilt made from t-shirts representing different eras in the history of the department was auctioned as part of celebration activities.

“We typically have an annual scholarship event, and this year it seemed appropriate to combine it with the 50th anniversary celebration,” Barnes said. “One of the goals of this celebration was to honor our past department leaders and to provide attendees with the opportunity to see what  the department is doing. It was also a great opportunity for past and current students to meet and talk about their experiences. The entire celebration had a family feel to it.”

“We were glad to be able to celebrate and share with others the incredible range of opportunities available in the ‘experience industries’ related to recreation, parks and tourism,” Ellis said. “Texas A&M is a flagship university and we have a flagship department that is recognized internationally for the quality of its education and research. I’m glad we had the chance to show the many successes we have achieved over the past 50 years and to thank the people who have been instrumental in making those successes possible.”

Facts about the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences:

— The first class convened in February, 1966 and was taught by founding department head Dr. Leslie  Reid.

— There are 493 current students, including 75 graduate students.

— The department has 21 professors, 11 AgriLife Extension specialists and 9 support staff.

— There have been 4,426 graduates – 3,818 with bachelor’s degrees, 367 with master’s degrees and 241 with doctoral degrees.

— Graduates represent 254 countries from around the globe.

— The department is a leader in high-impact learning, distance education and undergraduate and graduate curricula.

— There has been substantial growth in demand for undergraduate programs, as well as high demand for professional certification programs for majors and non-majors.

— The department’s ranking for research productivity has been 2nd or 3rd internationally for more than 10 years.