Tim Passmore receives ATRA Distinguished Fellow Award

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Media Contact: Christy Lang | Director, Marketing and Communications | 405-744-9740 | christy.lang@okstate.edu

Dr. Tim Passmore, professor and interim head of the School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation at Oklahoma State University, received the 2025 Distinguished Fellow Award from the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA).

The Distinguished Fellow Award is the highest recognition the ATRA presents,  acknowledging exceptional accomplishments within the field of recreational therapy. Nominees must prove a rigorous amount of qualifications, including evidence of extensive service, leadership to the profession and major contributions to the field.

Passmore’s research primarily focuses on recreational therapy and its effects on adults of all ages, as well as the impact of recreational therapy on children with cerebral palsy and adults with Parkinson’s Disease. He has made significant contributions to the field of recreational therapy through not only his extensive research, but also his authorship and co-authorship of books and textbooks such as “Diversity: Connecting College to Life,” as well as his teaching experience.

Passmore has been part of the Cowboy family for over 20 years and has served the College of Education and Human Sciences as undergraduate coordinator for recreational therapy, graduate coordinator for the master’s degree in recreation management and recreational therapy and graduate coordinator for the Ph.D. in health, leisure and human performance leisure studies option.

Story By: Faith Frantz | faith.frantz@okstate.edu