Kent State-Led Chinese Conference Fosters East-West Connections

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Return to Issue of July 28, 2008 

Faculty and students from Kent State’s School of Exercise, Leisure and Sport recently returned from a unique experience in China that will work to strengthen the bond between Kent State, several American universities and their colleagues from the Far East.

Faculty and students from Kent State's School of Excercise, Leisure and Sport recently returned from a conference in China.

The 2008 International Forum on Sport, Exercise and Leisure was held in Shijiazhuang, China, two hours west of the capital of Beijing. The conference was born of the work of Kent State’s Dr. Philip Wang, associate professor of exercise, leisure and sport, and Stephen Lee, a graduate of both Kent State and Hebei Normal University's College of Physical Education and Sports Science.

“We wanted to create a real academic exchange and a beneficial experience for all involved,” Wang says. “What occurred was the beginning of a great connection and partnership between our two universities, our two countries.”

What started as plans to develop a “small” seminar between Kent State and Hebei Normal quickly blossomed into a world-class conference, according to Dr. Wayne Munson, director of the School of Exercise, Leisure and Sport. More than 200 professors and students attended, and five United States universities sent representatives to the conference, including Miami University, San Jose State University, Northwest Missouri State University and Bowling Green State University.

While the linkage complements Kent State’s agenda for an increased global footprint, the partnership also helps China’s ever-growing population. As China’s population continues to age, the need to move from a society that may have seen exercise and nutrition only as needed for competitive performance must now begin to move toward offering more health prevention, wellness and recreation options to all its citizens. Kent State’s established and proven recreation and sport curriculum is a natural fit, according to Wang.

“Chinese leaders have begun to realize that, as their population ages, they need to offer ways to keep people active and healthy,” Wang says. “We are hoping that Kent State’s curriculum can be a model for the Chinese universities.”

According to Munson, the importance of and obligation to the new venture by the Chinese was evident by the high-level officials attending. Kent State’s delegation met with leaders from the National Education Ministry, as well as top officials from several Chinese institutions and provinces.

“We were pleased with the level of commitment they demonstrated,” Munson says. “They went all out to make us feel very welcomed.”

The trip was the first to China for many of the Kent State faculty and students, Munson says. Those from the Kent State delegation made many lasting memories, including not being detoured from exploring the Great Wall during a heavy rain, experiencing the aftershocks and chaos caused by the deadly earthquake in Chengdu, visiting the Forbidden City and Summer Palace and partaking in traditional shows, museums and meals.

Future initiatives for the partnership are already in the works, including plans for conferences and a faculty lecture series, additional collaborative efforts with other College of Education, Health and Human Services programs, such as hospitality management, and faculty-student exchanges and study abroad opportunities.

“People are already asking, ‘When can we go again?’” Wang says.

In addition to Munson and Wang, Kent State was represented by faculty members Jacob Barkley, Walter Davis, Mary Ann Devine, Ellen Glickman, Andy Lepp, Mark Lyberger, Jeffrey Pellegrino, Swathi Ravichandran and Vilma Seeberg, and students Jacob Bashor, Ryan Rohrer and Tom Sitko.

By Scott Rainone

Return to Issue of July 28, 2008