Jennifer Berthelot
After more than 30 years, a woman who has helped to lead the Department of Kinesiology to its current state of success has retired Her whole-hearted promotion of physical activity through the collaboration of faculty and her diligent efforts to lead her department to greatness has demonstrated an admirable work ethic and ability to inspire others.
Amelia Lee joined the College of Education in 1971. Through the years, she has focused her research primarily on the role that self-perceptions of ability play in achievement behavior. She has explored how beliefs, expectations, motivations, and attitudes served as mediators between teaching and learning. Her other interests include the study of gender differences in achievement-related cognition, affect, and behavior.
In addition, she was President of the Research Consortium for the 1998 American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD) and has served as editor of Quest, and a member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Teaching in Physical Education and Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. She is also a fellow in the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education.
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Always passionate about her work, Lee has co-authored two books on physical education for children.
“By studying and working with her I have learned how to have fun at work, and to appreciate the fact that I love what I do,” said Melinda Solmon, Roy Paul Daniels Professor in the Department of Kinesiology. “And because of that, I have accomplished far more than I would have if she had been willing to let me slide along.”
Lee has also received the 2004 AAHPERD Alliance Scholar Award.
Lee has shown by her example of hard work and perseverance that women can and should be a powerful force in shaping the culture of a university. Her efforts have helped make it possible for other women to have and maintain leadership roles in higher education. |
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“There are a few people I have encountered in my life who should get all of the credit for any success that I have achieved, and Amelia is certainly in that group. Like other powerful influences in my life, she has always been willing to tell me when my effort is not sufficient, when my work is not good enough, and when I need to do things differently,” Solmon said.
Though Lee is retiring, she is not yet ready to part with the college and department entirely. She will continue to be involved in special projects with the College of Education and in professional organizations in the field of kinesiology.
The College of Education recognized Lee and all of her amazing contributions at a retirement party on June 27, 2008. International graduate students, members of the faculty she once advised as doctoral students, former chairs, and Dean M. Jayne Fleener, spoke on her influences and achievements, making it clear that through her contributions and the number of lives she has touched; her career has truly been a success. |
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