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Davis & Elkins receives $1 Million commitment to establish A. Jean Minnick chair

 

Dr. Mary Ann DeLuca Named Inaugural Holder

 

ELKINS, W.Va. – Davis & Elkins College Professor Emerita and former coach Dr. A. Jean Minnick is helping the College secure the future with a $1 million commitment that will establish a chair in her name. D&E President Chris A. Wood announced the A. Jean Minnick Chair in Sport Science and named Dr. Mary Ann DeLuca as the inaugural holder Friday during the annual Founders’ Day convocation.

Sharing in the congratulations of the establishment of the A. Jean Minnick Chair in Sport Science are from left, Instructor of Exercise Science Dr. Jennifer Riggleman, inaugural holder of the A. Jean Minnick Chair in Sport Science Dr. Mary Ann DeLuca, Dr. A. Jean Minnick, Director of Athletics Jamie Joss and Instructor of Physical Education Amanda Larkin.
D&E courtesy photo

“There is no more appropriate manner to honor a stellar teaching and coaching career than the establishment of the A. Jean Minnick Chair at Davis & Elkins,” said D&E President Chris A. Wood. “After giving a lifetime of service to the College and its students, through this estate gift Dr. Minnick secures her legacy of generosity and impacting lives at D&E. As I often hear from her former students and players, Jean invested herself in making the most of the gifts and talents each brought to the classroom and the field. One of her former students who claims Jean as her mentor, Dr. DeLuca, now will continue Jean’s example of excellence as she becomes the A. Jean Minnick Professor.”

The surprise announcement to the College community, alumni, trustees and friends assembled in Myles Center for the Arts Harper-McNeeley Auditorium was met with a standing ovation.

After the ceremony, DeLuca said she was both honored and surprised.

“Jean Minnick has been my educator and my mentor,” DeLuca said. “She holds high morals and integrity, and has always held high expectations for the Sport Science Department. So, I am very excited for the department because this shows she has confidence in our programs.”

With the establishment of the A. Jean Minnick Chair in Sport Science, the $1 million gift will provide support and vital resources for the Department of Sport Science. The gift boosts D&E’s $100 million Secure the Future campaign by $2 million in conjunction with the $25 million McDonnell Challenge which adds to the endowment by matching any gift or commitment dollar for dollar through June 30, 2018.

An official installation of the A. Jean Minnick Chair in Sport Science will be planned for a future date.

A resident of Elkins, Minnick served as professor of physical education and chair of the Department of Health, Sport, and Movement Sciences at Davis & Elkins College from 1963 to 1998, retiring as professor emerita. During her tenure, she also developed several study travel courses and was the tour leader for numerous trips abroad, including 20 different countries in the Caribbean.

Well respected in Division I athletics, Minnick coached field hockey at D&E for 17 years leading her teams to national prominence. Her overall record of 145-21-14 includes 12 undefeated regular seasons against nationally ranked teams and three Midwest championships. Her teams were four-time national qualifiers and placed third in the Division I National Championship in 1981.

Throughout her career, Minnick coached five All-Midwest players, three All-South players and two All-American players.

Minnick has received several accolades for her coaching and teaching achievements. In 2011, she was inducted into the West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Hall of Fame. At D&E, she was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990 and was selected for the Lois Latham Award for Teaching Excellence. She was also honored with the West Virginia Celebrate Women Award, the West Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AHPERD) Honor Award, the Recognition Award from the West Virginia Sports Writers Association and named to the Traveler’s Century Club.

Minnick served 10 years on the West Virginia AHPERD board of directors, holding several offices. She also served as president of the West Virginia College of Health and Physical Education Association, as the West Virginia Commissioner for women’s sports and was a member of the Midwest Field Hockey Board, Division I National Rating Board and the West Virginia Content Specialization Test Development Committee. In addition, she was active in the AAUW, Alpha Delta Kappa, AAUP and the National Association of Physical Education in Higher Education.

Minnick earned a Ph.D. from New York University in 1970 and continued post-doctoral studies at the University of Utah, Penn State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She received her Master of Science degree from WVU in 1964 and Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from West Virginia University School of Physical Education in 1949. Minnick is also a graduate of Marlinton High School in Pocahontas County, W.Va.

Minnick’s former student, DeLuca graduated from Davis & Elkins College in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree in health and physical education/fitness. During her college career, she played on the Senators women’s basketball team. She also holds a Master of Science degree in psychomotor development and an Ed.D. in physical education, both from WVU.

Currently the chair of the Department of Sport Science and professor of health and physical education, DeLuca began her career at D&E in 1991. She had previously served as a physical education teacher at North Allegheny School District and South Park School District in Pennsylvania and in the local Randolph County School System.

At D&E, DeLuca served as a member of the Presidential Succession Committee. Along with members of the Department of Sport Science, she created Project Life Change, a free program aimed at helping participants create a better, healthier lifestyle now in its fifth year.

The Davis & Elkins College Department of Sport Science encompasses exercise science, physical education and sport management programs. The programs for students seeking a bachelor’s degree are designed to provide leadership and facilities for regular instruction and participation in physical activity, and assist students in gaining a better understanding of the general principles and concepts involved in the fundamentals of effective movement patterns. Students are provided with working knowledge of the physiology of exercise and exercise testing and prescription so that graduates may purse employment in public and privately owned wellness and fitness centers, corporate fitness facilities and clinical therapeutic programs, and be well prepared to continue their formal education at the graduate level.

The A. Jean Minnick Chair in Sport Science brings to total seven endowed chairs at Davis & Elkins College.

 Related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Davis & Elkins College is located in Elkins, 2 hours east of Charleston, 3 hours south of Pittsburgh and 4 hours west of Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit the College website at www.dewv.edu or call 304-637-1243.

Davis & Elkins College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national original, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, gender identification, or genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Amy Kittle, Title IX Coordinator/Section 504 Coordinator Compliance & Ethics Officer, Halliehurst, 2nd Floor, 304-637-1277, [email protected]. For further information on D&E’s notice of non-discrimination, please see www.dewv.edu/consumer-information.

 

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