Health, Sport & Exercise Science Awards

Eligibility

HSES students only

Please note, the HSES Awards are for HSES students only. As an HSES student, you are still eligible to apply for School of Education and Human Sciences scholarships.
School of Education and Human Sciences scholarships

Undergraduate program awards

For the following majors: exercise science; sport management; community health; physical education plus.

Graduate program awards

For the following specializations: exercise physiology; health & psychology of physical activity; and sport management.

Responses to Consider

The application for HSES Awards includes required open ended responses to the following:

  • Personal Statement
  • List of Academic Awards or Honors
  • List of Scholarly Activities
  • List of Leadership or Professional Organization Activities

Award Ceremony

  • The 59th Annual Honors Award Ceremony to be held on tentative Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 6:00 on the Stage Area at the Lied Center.

Protect KU

2023 HSES Awards Night View as gallery page

Deadline to Apply

March 8th
Friday, March 8th, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

You will need to log-in using your KU Online ID and password to access the application. If you experience any trouble with the awards application, please contact Teresa Aldrich at taldrich@ku.edu.

Apply for HSES Awards

Health, Sport, & Exercise Sciences Department Awards

  • The Earl Falkenstien Honor Award

    Earl Falkenstien was the long time Business Manager for the KU Athletic Department who was loved and respected by students and faculty. This award was established by Earl’s widow, Edith, and his two children, Max and Sandra, to honor his service to the university. In his position as Business Manager, he came in contact with many athletes and Physical Education majors at the university. His family felt it would be fitting to provide financial assistance to a KU Physical Education major rather than endowing an athletic scholarship. Friends and relatives of Earl contributed to the KUEA in his memory. This award is presented annually to the outstanding junior majoring in Physical Education on the basis of grades, character and leadership.

  • The Jack Wolfe Memorial Award

    Jack Wolfe was a KU Physical Education major who grew up in Lawrence and graduated from Lawrence High School, where he excelled in track, basketball, and football. A varsity letterman in track and basketball at KU, he coached high school basketball in Colby. Jack died tragically in a private airplane crash while flying from Colby to Norman, Oklahoma to attend a KU-OU football game. Jack’s mother, Mrs. John Wolfe, his wife Joan, also a KU Physical Education graduate, and Mrs. John Dobbins established this award through the KU Endowment Association with gifts from relatives and friends. It is presented annually to the outstanding senior Physical Education male on the basis of grades, character and leadership.

  • The Don Henry Health Education Award

    After earning a BSE and MSE from The Ohio State University, Don Henry accepted a position at KU as an instructor in health and physical education classes. During the next 37 years, he served the university with distinction. Don was active in national professional organizations and served on the Board of Governors for the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education and Recreation and was the President of the Central District of AHPER. The Don Henry Award is presented annually to a fourth or fifth year student in Health Education, with a 3.0 GPA or above, who exhibits leadership and interest in their field, is involved in professional activities, and is an example of good health - physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.

  • The Joie Stapleton Honor Award

    A 1928 KU graduate, Dr. Joie Stapleton returned to her alma mater in 1939 as a staff member of the Physical Education Department. In 1952, she received her Doctorate from Teachers College of Columbia University and became head of the Women’s Physical Education Department at KU. A position she retained until her retirement in 1972. During her tenure at KU, Dr. Stapleton received many professional honors including the Presidency of the Kansas Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation. This award is presented annually to a senior woman in Physical Education, based on citizenship, academic achievement, participation in extra-class activities and a person who “shares the joys and responsibilities attached to being in this field”.

  • The Larry Heeb Recreation Honor Award

    This award was established in honor of Larry Heeb, a member of the HPER faculty from 1953 through 1978. Prior to joining the KU faculty, he was Director of Recreation for the City of Lawrence. Throughout his years at KU, Larry was nationally recognized for his expertise in the recreational field, and served as Recreational Consultant for the State of Kansas. The award is presented to a student, usually a senior, dedicated to serving people, and through his or her conduct in and out of the classroom attempts to grow professionally by seeking knowledge, understanding and skills and is a member of State and National Professional organizations. The recipient reflects Larry’s spirit of cooperation, friendliness and helpfulness.

  • The Brett G. Hammig Exercise Physiology Honor Award

    This award was established through the University Kansas Endowment Association by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Hammig, and by the Jack Hammig Family. The Bret G. Hammig Award is given annually to an outstanding student at the Master’s degree level in Exercise Physiology. The student must have been enrolled in the Master’s degree program of the Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences Department at the University of Kansas during the preceding year of the award and must be pursuing a specialty in exercise science. The student must have an overall grade point average of 3.5 in the Master’s program. Preference will be given to those students who have achieved excellence as a researcher in the field of exercise physiology. The recipient should demonstrate the ability and desire to persist with courage and endurance. The student’s name will be placed on an appropriate plaque and a check will be given.

  • The Wayne Osness Outstanding Doctoral Student Awards

    This award is named in honor of Dr. Wayne Osness, a professor in HSES for 37 years. Wayne received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire and a Master’s degree and Doctorate from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. A luminary in the field of physical education, he received the profession’s highest award, the Luther Halsey Gulik Medal, in 2003 and had the state of Kansas AAHPERD Award named in his honor. Dr. Osness joined the KU faculty in 1966 and chaired the HSES Department for 25 years, specializing in exercise physiology and the biological aging process. He also served on the US Olympic Committee for eight years. The recipient of the Wayne Osness Award is a student enrolled in six or more hours of post-masters graduate level degree work, who has completed at least two semesters of study at the University of Kansas and has demonstrated outstanding scholarship, a willingness to support and assist other graduate students and a good record of service to the HSES Department.

  • John McLendon Outstanding Student Award

    The John McLendon Outstanding Student Award in Sport Management will be given annually to an undergraduate or graduate student of diverse background who in the spirit of John McLendon has helped to break down racial barriers at KU and in the community at-large. The award memorializes John McLendon - KU's first African-American graduate in Physical Education, winner of the NCAA's "Teddy Award", enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame as the first African-American coach of a professional team, and "father of the fast break."