IU Bloomington professor Julie Knapp to receive Indiana Park and Recreation Association honor

Julie Knapp, clinical assistant professor in the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, will receive a 2012 Award of Excellence from the Indiana Park and Recreation Association, which will present the award during its state conference in Bloomington in January.

Dr. Julie Knapp

Knapp was nominated for the Educator of the Year award, which is presented to an Indiana Park and Recreation Association member who is on the teaching faculty of an Indiana institute of higher learning. The award recognizes continued support and advancement of the parks and recreation field.

Knapp, who earned master's and doctorate degrees at IU, is the career coordinator and internship coordinator for the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies. She also is the director of the Indiana University Executive Development Program for Parks and Recreational Professionals. She has served numerous leadership positions in professional organizations, currently serving as the Indiana Park and Recreation Association Certification Chair; a board member of the American Camp Association, (Indiana); and a board member of the Indiana Park and Recreation Association Foundation.

Each year, Indiana Park and Recreation Association Awards of Excellence are presented to individuals and agencies across Indiana to honor their efforts -- both personally and professionally -- in the field of parks and recreation. Winners are evaluated by their peers in the industry, based upon a scoring system for quality of the project, impact on the community and creative solutions, as well as other criteria.

For more information on the association and the Awards of Excellence program, please contact the association office at 317-573-4035 or cowens@inpra.org.

The Indiana Park and Recreation Association, founded in 1916, is a state not-for-profit membership association dedicated to advancing the value of parks and recreation. Through its network of recreation and park professionals, corporations, elected officials and organizations, the association encourages the promotion of health and wellness, recreation initiatives, and conservation of natural and cultural resources.