By RINDY METCALF

Staff Writer

The department of health and exercise sciences has gained a new professor and an ally in disease prevention.

Larry Proctor, an assistant professor of health and exercise sciences, came to Tech from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.

"I taught fitness conditioning, introduction to health and the sociology of sport," Proctor said. "I will teach many of the same courses here along with preventative health and strength and conditioning for improved performance."

Proctor will start teaching at the beginning of spring quarter. He said he thought the programs within the health and exercise sciences department seemed to be a good match for classes he enjoys teaching and the research that he likes to do.

"It seemed to be a good fit for the direction I was going in," Proctor said.

Proctor said one of his goals for this year is to partner with existing area health agencies to alleviate community health conditions and gain access to information about community health.

"We want to create a safety net for those people who don't have confidence in the health care community," Proctor said. "We want to reach out to those people."

Dr. Jo Ann Dauzat, dean of the College of Education and a professor of curriculum, instruction and leadership, said the college looks forward to having Proctor come in and find ways to extend its programs into the community and add value to the program by working with health promotions.

"We are extremely eager to have him come on board and begin his work with us," Dauzat said.

"I think the work he will be able to do and the connections that he will help us to make will cause us É to become well recognized in our region for an institution that is committed to the preventative healthcare and fitness of our community and is passionate about the work we do."

Dauzat also said Proctor will become involved in a coalition that has already begun between Lincoln and Union parishes to research ways to prevent adolescents from trying drugs and alcohol.

Dauzat said Proctor will continue to promote healthy living by being involved in other areas as well.

"The department, with Proctor's help, is going to develop and field test preventative health initiatives, which focus on religious organizations as a medium in the community," James Heimdal, head of the health and exercise sciences department and an associate professor of health and physical education, said.

Heimdal said their goals are to develop model programs that can be replicated elsewhere and are cost-effective and culturally relevant and sensitive.

"We want to bring the people in the community who are unrepresented into the process and find out what barriers are preventing these people from getting the help they need," Heimdal said.

Heimdal said Proctor's interpersonal skills and his commitment to the people and process is just what the doctor ordered.