A Wellness Way of Life

Gwen Robbins recently retired as the Dean of the College of Applied Sciences and Technology at Ball State University. She held academic rank in the School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Science. Robbins earned her MA (physical education/biology) from Ball State University and an additional 45 hours in the area of Gerontology. She earned her BS (physical education/health/biology) from Indiana State University. Robbins was instrumental in the development of the nationally recognized fitness/wellness requirement at Ball State. She has given many national presentations and published several articles and book chapters about Ball State's fitness/wellness program and assessment of this program. Robbins developed the 500-Yard Water Run, a cardiorespiratory endurance fitness test for non-swimming water exercisers, and the AquaCircuit, a pool circuit-training program. She has received honor awards from the Aquatic Council of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance and the Indiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. Robbins's current research and in-demand presentations focus on the lifestyle changes of college students and university wellness course format and assessment.

Debbie Powers is Assistant Professor Emeritus in the School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Science at Ball State University. She retired in 2006 after 30 years of teaching fitness and wellness classes at Ball State. Powers earned her MA in physical education at Ball State University and an additional 30 hours in Wellness Education. She received her BS in physical education and health from Indiana University. A former Division I college basketball player, Powers served as head women's basketball coach at Ball State for 5 years. Before her tenure at Ball State she taught physical education and coached at the high school level. Powers's teaching and research interests include wellness education, fitness, nutrition and weight management. Powers assisted in the development of the nationally recognized fitness/wellness requirement at Ball State University, and has given numerous national and regional presentations on the development, content, and assessment of this undergraduate core curriculum requirement. She has published articles and book chapters in the areas of wellness, assessment, and basketball. In retirement she continues to speak to community groups on a variety of wellness topics and teaches community fitness classes.

Sharon Burgess is a Physical Therapist and Assistant Professor Emeritus in the School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Science at Ball State University. She retired in 2008 after teaching fitness and wellness classes for 32 years at Ball State. Burgess earned a Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences and an MS in Physical Therapy at the University of Indianapolis. She received an MS in Sport Psychology/Motor Learning and a BS in Physical Education at Florida State University, where she was a nationally ranked distance runner and synchronized swimmer. She was head women's track and cross-country coach at Ball State for 8 years. Publications include book chapters on bicycling and aquatic exercise for people with disabilities. Burgess has made presentations nationally and internationally, including teaching large lectures, aerobics, and strength training. Honor awards include Outstanding Tenured Teacher in the School of Physical Education and the Leadership Recognition Award from the Indiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Burgess continues to work with athletes in orthopedic and sports physical therapy as a healthcare traveler.