Shafer selected as new head of recreation, park and tourism sciences department

Writer: Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu

Contact: Dr. Scott Shafer, 979-845-3837, sshafer@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Scott Shafer has been appointed the new head of the department of recreation, park and tourism sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University in College Station.

Shafer succeeds Dr. Gary Ellis, who served as professor and department head since 2008. Ellis will return to the faculty in support of the department’s teaching, research and outreach goals as a professor.

Shafer is not new to the department, having been a faculty member for two decades, including six years as an associate department head.

“We are extremely pleased to have Dr. Shafer as our new department head,” said Dr. Mark  Hussey, vice chancellor and dean for agriculture and life sciences, College Station. “His breadth of experience and knowledge of the department, along with his reputation and extensive body of work in the field of recreation and leisure, make him the right person to serve as head of the department — and to help shape its future.”

Shafer said as department head he would work to further the land-grant mission of teaching, research and Extension for the college.

“Staff, students and faculty in recreation, park and tourism sciences contribute much toward the environment, human health, the economy and the lives of young people,” he said. “As a department, we are making important contributions in each of these areas and there are opportunities to do even more.”

Shafer noted the department marked its 50th anniversary in April and has made some great strides during that time.

“There has been substantial growth in demand for undergraduate programs, as well as high demand for professional certification programs for majors and non-majors,” he said. “The department is a leader in high-impact learning, distance education and undergraduate and graduate curricula, and its research productivity ranking has been among the top five   internationally for more than 10 years.”

Shafer said one of the important aspects of departmental outreach is to help people appreciate different approaches to education and to life.

“Program areas in the department have much to offer in this realm and I would enjoy working with colleagues to further strengthen our opportunities to diversify.”

Shafer has a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University, master’s from the University of Utah and doctorate from Clemson University.

In addition to serving as associate department head, he served the department as an associate professor and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist, professor and Senior Schob Scholar.

Prior to coming to Texas A&M in the mid ‘90s, he was a lecturer and research fellow in tropical environment studies and geography in the Cooperative Research Centre for the Ecologically Sustainable Development of the Great Barrier Reef at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia.

In his research, Shafer has focused on questions and issues that address facilities, modes of transportation and experiences as they relate to trail planning and design; visitor use and attitudes related to nature-based recreation environments to help managers plan; and recreation specialization to better understand how leisure behavior evolves in individuals and how planning and design should account for different types of users.

He is the author or co-author of several publications and peer-reviewed articles and has been an associate editor or co-editor of scholarly journals related to recreation and leisure. Additionally he has chaired or been a member or technical adviser on numerous professional and community service committees.

Shafer’s awards and honors include the Teaching Award of Merit from the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture; Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence for teaching from Texas A&M AgriLife; Distinguished Achievement Award in teaching from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Outstanding Alumni Award from the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, University of Utah; and Educator of the Year award from the Texas Recreation and Park Society, Annual Institute.

“In the half-century the department has been in existence, it has evolved and adapted in a growing university but the mission remains the same. We strive to serve the greater good and enhance the quality of life for Texans, the nation and the world,” Shafer said. “It will be an honor to work with this fine group of staff, students and faculty to help chart the course toward another 50 years of service.”