AAPAR Award Recipient Profile
David Auxter
| Council: | Adapted Physical Activity Council |
| Award: | Julian U. Stein Lifetime Achievement |
| Year: | 2008 |
| Profile: | Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania Dr. Auxter has been active in the profession since 1960 and earned his doctorate from Boston University in 1965. Even though he retired from Slippery Rock University in 1988, David did not retire from the profession. During the reauthorization of IDEA in 1994-1997, David was the key person within the profession who helped keep physical education identified in the law. Over the past 10 years, David has co-authored Legislative Update with Robert Arnhold, which is a regular feature in Palaestra. While at Slippery Rock University, David received several Department of Education, Office of Special Education Program federal training grants and directed one of the earliest professional preparation Master of Science programs in the country. Currently, David serves as director of his own "Research Institute on Independent Living" in Washington, DC. Through this institute he continues to attend Congressional hearings, meetings, and advocacy sessions dealing with health promotion and wellness for persons with disabilities. While most in the profession are familiar with David's textbook, "Principles and Methods of Adapted Physical Education and Recreation", currently in its 11th edition, many may not know about his critical role in helping to develop the Special Olympics organization during the 1960s and 1970s. David continues to be the lead author for many of the sport training manuals that Special Olympics uses throughout the world. While Dr. Auxter's career can be presented in terms of extensive number of scholarly activities, such as books, book chapters, journal articles, and local through international professional presentations, his career far exceeds the value of what those numbers convey. Perhaps most importantly, David is the ultimate professional and mentor to students and colleagues. He continues to demonstrate volunteerism and at the age of 83, puts most of us to shame for his long-term commitment to volunteerism and advocacy. Three of his former students, Bev Martin, Ginny Ward, and Charles Jelly stated in their nomination letter that "Dr. Auxter has been responsible for inspiring countless students and educators who have gone on to serve in professional roles all across the United States, working with the most vulnerable of children who have special needs. His influence has reached far beyond his immediate students to other professionals who have been impacted by the knowledge, passion and dedication that Dr. David Auxter instilled in his students while teaching at Slippery Rock State College... We can think of no one more deserving of recognition than Dr. David Auxter. He is an exuberant example of the characteristics honored by the Julian U. Stein Award." APAC is proud to award its Julian U. Stein Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. David Auxter. Congratulations! |