To recognize the extraordinary creative teaching and scholarship that occurs at TCU, annual awards are given to a faculty member in each of the major academic disciplines of the University. These recipients are nominated and selected by their colleagues and become the nominees for the Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement as a Creative Teacher and Scholar.

This year, the winner of the Chancellor’s Award is Debbie Rhea, Ph.D.

Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr., at Convocation last Tuesday, recognized Rhea, professor of kinesiology, for her contributions. He highlighted comments from several of her students and peers who said Rhea “exemplifies the ideal of the teacher/scholar model,” noting that her classes are “engaging, and her energetic approach has inspired many students to pursue careers in her field.”

Debbie Rhea wins Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement as a Creative Teacher and Scholar

Also, an area school superintendent praised Rhea’s LiiNK Project, an innovative school program that’s changing conceptions about a traditional classroom’s structure and school hours in Texas, as “having a major impact on thousands of children’s lives, providing them with a program that impacts health, character, education and academics.”

Rhea, associate dean of the Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences at TCU, has been an educator for 37 years. She taught physical education and coached in the public schools for 12 years before earning her doctorate in pedagogy and sport/exercise psychology and moving to the university level. While at TCU, Rhea has worked with physical education teachers and consulted with all ages of athletes and non-athletes to enhance their mental skills related to performance and physical activity. She has published more than a dozen books, presented at conferences internationally, and developed and trained physical education and classroom teachers on developmentally appropriate curricula at all levels.

This year’s finalists were as follows:

Warren Carter, Ph.D.—professor of New Testament, Brite Divinity School

Robin Griffith, Ph.D.—associate professor, College of Education

Jack Hill, Ph.D.—professor of religion, AddRan College of Liberal Arts

Debbie Rhea, Ph.D.—professor of kinesiology, associate dean of Health Science & Research, director LiiNK Project, Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences

James Scott, Ph.D.—Herman Brown Chair and professor of political science, AddRan College of Liberal Arts

Chip Stewart, Ph.D.—professor of journalism, Bob Schieffer College of Communication

Morgan Swink, Ph.D.—Eunice and James L. West Chair, professor of supply chain management, executive director of the Supply and Value Chain Center, Neeley School of Business

Anne VanBeber, Ph.D.—department chair and professor of nutritional sciences, College of Science & Engineering

Thomas Walsh, Ph.D.—professor of theatre, College of Fine Arts