Spring Break
LaCarter hire outfits student body
Recent graduate directs new recreation department
Maria Schmitt & Chase Purdy
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: News
After reading Nicholas Ratey's book "Spark," President Larry Arnn decided to take the book's advice - to be healthy and therefore happy - seriously.
The college's new health and wellness initiative will bring opportunities for fitness and health to Hillsdale's campus.
"We're looking for things to do for students to do and be happy," Arnn said.
The book inspired Arnn to create the program after studies showed depression is a problem on Hillsdale's campus.
"We've had troubles with depression in the student body," he said. "If there are things to be discovered that will make us happier - then Lord knows we should do it."
According to "Spark," students who are physically fit perform better academically.
The college hired Ashley LaCarter '08 to be director of residence life and campus recreation, a position created this year.
In her new position, LaCarter creates parts of the new program and plans fitness-oriented campus activities.
She said members of the administration such as the deans of men and women, the president and coaches such as Kurt Kirner are very willing to work with her to create new aspects of the program.
"The administration has been great with the 'sky's the limit' mentality," LaCarter said.
This fall, the campus boasts new basketball courts, mountain bikes students can rent and, hopefully, kayaks and canoes to use on Baw Beese Lake.
In addition, LaCarter implemented four new fitness classes and an eight-week personal training camp at the Roche Sports Complex.
Dean of Women Diane Philipp said LaCarter's ideas for the new program will help bring students together.
"She's trying to create all-campus activities that students can take part in," Philipp said.
Hillsdale students needed a program to help them be healthier and happier, she said.
"Hillsdale has become a pretty selective institution," she said. "The typical student at Hillsdale is a very high achiever. It made sense to promote students getting out there."
In their exit interviews, many of the 2008 seniors said they were unable to exercise in the sports complex during the winter due to overcrowding.
"There's interest in the student body to be physically fit and we just don't have the facilities," Philipp said.
In addition to the basketball courts and bikes, new fitness equipment will be installed in the some dorms.
"So far, everyone seems pretty excited," she said.
Arnn said "Spark" became very popular in the administration last spring.
"It's not a sensational book, it's an intellectual book," he said. "It's a smart book, full of what I'd call good sense."
The college's new health and wellness initiative will bring opportunities for fitness and health to Hillsdale's campus.
"We're looking for things to do for students to do and be happy," Arnn said.
The book inspired Arnn to create the program after studies showed depression is a problem on Hillsdale's campus.
"We've had troubles with depression in the student body," he said. "If there are things to be discovered that will make us happier - then Lord knows we should do it."
According to "Spark," students who are physically fit perform better academically.
The college hired Ashley LaCarter '08 to be director of residence life and campus recreation, a position created this year.
In her new position, LaCarter creates parts of the new program and plans fitness-oriented campus activities.
She said members of the administration such as the deans of men and women, the president and coaches such as Kurt Kirner are very willing to work with her to create new aspects of the program.
"The administration has been great with the 'sky's the limit' mentality," LaCarter said.
This fall, the campus boasts new basketball courts, mountain bikes students can rent and, hopefully, kayaks and canoes to use on Baw Beese Lake.
In addition, LaCarter implemented four new fitness classes and an eight-week personal training camp at the Roche Sports Complex.
Dean of Women Diane Philipp said LaCarter's ideas for the new program will help bring students together.
"She's trying to create all-campus activities that students can take part in," Philipp said.
Hillsdale students needed a program to help them be healthier and happier, she said.
"Hillsdale has become a pretty selective institution," she said. "The typical student at Hillsdale is a very high achiever. It made sense to promote students getting out there."
In their exit interviews, many of the 2008 seniors said they were unable to exercise in the sports complex during the winter due to overcrowding.
"There's interest in the student body to be physically fit and we just don't have the facilities," Philipp said.
In addition to the basketball courts and bikes, new fitness equipment will be installed in the some dorms.
"So far, everyone seems pretty excited," she said.
Arnn said "Spark" became very popular in the administration last spring.
"It's not a sensational book, it's an intellectual book," he said. "It's a smart book, full of what I'd call good sense."
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