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UC's Joan Kay Receives Prestigious Award
Director of Therapeutic Recreation named NYSTRA's Outstanding Professional
Written By Amanda Damiano, PR Intern
NYSTRA named UC's Joan Kay Outstanding Professional at annual awards breakfast
Contact - cleogrande@utica.edu
Utica, NY (05/03/2007) - The New York State Therapeutic Recreation Association (NYSTRA) presented an award to Joan Kay, associate professor and director of therapeutic recreation and gerontology at Utica College.She received NYSTRA’s “Kim Kiernan Outstanding Professional" award at the association’s annual awards banquet in Saratoga Springs. Kay has served as a pioneer in the profession, writing and developing the UC program just a few years after therapeutic recreation was recognized as a specialty.
Kay said, “It was an honor for me to be recognized as a contributor to such a wonderful profession. NYSTRA is one of the most prestigious of the state organizations, and to receive the award from them was indeed special.” She adds, “I can’t think of anything greater than to be recognized in a profession I have loved working in over the years.”
Kay, who joined UC in 1974, served as the women’s athletic director, as well as teaching physical education and coaching several sports including women’s basketball and co-ed fencing. In 1981, she developed the therapeutic recreation program and subsequently became director of the program.
Founded in 1994 by a group of therapeutic recreation professionals, NYSTRA supports and promotes the highest standards of practice in the field. Therapeutic recreation is a human service profession that focuses on providing care to children and adults who have cognitive, physical, psychological, or social needs. Therapeutic recreation specialists employ recreation and leisure skills to bring about a change in the individual and to ensure appropriate leisure throughout their life.
About Utica College – Founded in 1946, Utica College is a comprehensive private institution that grants the Syracuse University baccalaureate degree and the Utica College master’s and doctoral degrees. The College, located in central New York, approximately 90 miles west of Albany and 50 miles east of Syracuse, currently enrolls nearly 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students in 32 undergraduate majors, 24 minors, 13 master’s and two doctoral degree programs.
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