Ph.D. Student Michael Bradley Honored by the National Recreation and Park Association

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Michael Bradley, a Ph.D. student in the Oklahoma State University College of Education’s health, leisure and human performance program, was recently selected to receive the 2011 Young Professional Network Outstanding Graduate Student Award from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).  NRPA will present the award publicly at a special reception during the NRPA Congress and Exposition in Atlanta this November.

Launched this year, NRPA Network Awards are designed to honor NRPA members for their significant efforts in specialized areas of parks and recreation.  Individuals are chosen for their contributions to advancing the movement through professional service, volunteerism and education.  Winners are nominated from NRPA’s 20,000 members and chosen by the association’s interest area or regional Networks.

While pursuing his doctorate, Bradley serves as a graduate associate with assignments in teaching and research. He has been an organizer for the graduate and professional student organization for students in the Health, Leisure and Human Performance. Bradley’s leadership also includes serving as regional representative for the student network in NRPA and organizing the Visit a Park Day.  His research interests include the human dimensions of natural resource management, specifically with place attachment and recreation ethics.

“Michael is most deserving of this prestigious award,” Dr. Lowell Caneday, Regents Professor in leisure studies, said. “He has demonstrated an ethic of community service and provided leadership to increase student involvement in leisure studies. He is an outstanding representative of the program at OSU.”

“Receiving the award from NRPA is quite an honor,” Bradley said. “The national organization works hard to promote recreation ideas and philosophy and to promote the field of study. I could never have been in a position to receive such an award if not for Dr. Lowell Caneday, who is more than a mentor and friend, but an inspiration.”

Bradley received a bachelor’s degree in leisure studies from OSU and a master’s degree in recreation, park and tourism administration from Western Illinois University.