By RAYMOND ADEEKO

Staff Writer

Rebecca McCann, a senior kinesiology and health promotions major, was recently named as one of the five finalists for the National Association for Sports and Physical Science Outstanding Major of the Year Award.

A memo sent out March 15 from NASPE announced her nomination.

McCann was nominated for the award by Dr. Gail Clark, an associate professor of physical education.

"It was my pleasure to nominate Rebecca due to her hard work and dedication within the classroom and as a student instructor of one of our activity courses," Clark said. "In addition to her success as a student, she has been very active in research during the last couple of years."

The award will be given out at the national convention of American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, an affiliate of NASPE.

It will be held at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in New Orleans from March 30 through April 3.

McCann said she was excited about the honor and is happy her efforts have been recognized by her teachers.

"I'm pleased that my professors believe that I have the qualities required for the award," McCann said. "I don't feel I have done anything special, I just try to get the most out of my education."

Dr. James Heimdal, an associate professor and head of the department of health and exercise sciences, said McCann's nomination gives more credence to the program at the department.

"Outstanding students were nominated from programs all over the country and it's an honor to have one of our students be selected as a finalist and to participate in the recognition ceremony," Heimdal said.

He also praised her efforts and commended her academic abilities.

"Overall, she is one of the most successful undergraduate students enrolled in our program during the last three years," Heimdal said. "She's looked for opportunities for professional and personal growth and has gone out of her way to develop relationships with different faculty members.

"I think she will be successful in whatever professional activity she chooses."

McCann said she will graduate this summer and hopes to attend the Palmer College of Chiropractics in Davenport, Iowa. However, before attending the school, she said she will intern at the Hollifield Chiropractic Center in Virginia Beach, Va.

McCann has given presentations on the regional, state and national levels. She will also present a paper at the conference titled "Innovative Strength Exercise for Senior Adult Exercise Program."

Along with McCann, her parents and different faculty members from the department of health and exercise sciences will attend the function.

McCann will receive a plaque and a certificate for being part of the five finalists for the award.