Walla Walla University assistant professor of health and physical education Curtis Kuhlman was given the Service Award at this year’s annual Seventh-day Adventist Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Association (SDA-HPERA) conference in Cleveland, Ohio, in recognition of his 42 years of teaching at WWU. The conference also invited him to present the James Hanson Memorial Lecture.

Almost every year, SDA-HPERA recognizes health and physical education professionals who are close to retirement and have significantly contributed either to the profession or to the SDA-HPERA organization. In his 42 years as a teacher, Kuhlman has done both. 

SDA-HPERA executive director Matthew Lee says Kulman has “inspired hundreds of pre-professionals as they move into the health and physical education fields, myself included.” Kuhlman has been a regular attendee of and presenter for the organization’s conventions, and has served on their executive committee. Lee says they are grateful for Kuhlman’s many contributions and felt that he was well-deserving of this award.

Kuhlman attended this year’s conference to accept the award and to present the James Hanson Memorial Lecture. His lecture was a reflection on his years as a college student and an appreciation for his own amazing professors. He further acknowledged the help that he later received from WWU professors during his early years of teaching, thanking both Eugene Winter and Bill Napier. He ended his lecture by challenging the conference’s attending professors to “learn the lessons of your teachers in ways that let you influence the lives of those that you teach.”

This conference is held annually by SDA-HPERA, the professional organization representing physical education, recreation, and athletic programs in the North American Division and the world field of the SDA church.

Posted April 9, 2024