Division of KHS - College of Education - Wayne State University

International Student Exchange
By Dr. Qin Lai
The Division of Kinesiology, Health & Sport Studies continues the collaboration with Beijing Sport University Graduate School in doctoral
student training. Drs. Hermann Engels and Qin Lai were honored as visiting professors by Beijing Sport University Graduate School in
recognition of their advising and achievements in exercise science.
Zongtao Li, a new doctoral student from Beijing, has been working with Dr. Lai for his research and dissertation since September
of 2009. Zongtao's research focus is on the effects of neuromuscular activities of the lower extremities in elderly
Chinese females. His studies were accepted for presentation at the annual conferences of American College of Sport Medicine
(ACSM) and North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) in the summer of
2010. In addition, Dr. Qin Lai is a key collaborator for two of China’s social science grants to investigate youth fitness development
from an ecological perspective and athletic development in Chinese higher education from comparative perspectives.
We are please to have our faculty members involved with international initiatives. The working relationship with Beijing Sport University
is proving to be mutually productive and beneficial.
Student Recognition
By Ms. Joyce Krause
Two KHS students have received national and regional awards: Tim Soldan, an undergraduate major in kinesiology, and Ronny Benedict,
graduate assistant.
Tim Soldan, Major of the Year
Tim Soldan was chosen by KHS pedagogy faculty as the Major of the Year to represent Wayne State University at the
National Convention of AAHPERD. Tim was one of several hundreds of students from colleges and universities across
the country nominated as an exemplary student in the field of kinesiology. He has an outstanding GPA and has demonstrated
good teaching methods in his work at the elementary and high school levels during his student teaching placement.
Tim earned an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts at Macomb Community College and worked in the field of business for
10 years before enrolling at WSU.
Tim attended Sterling Heights public schools. He enjoys the experience of WSU campus life and the field of education. Tim has traveled
extensively to places such as Egypt, Turkey, Greece, South Africa, and Europe. His broadened insight to cultural diversity gives
him much to be grateful for. He feels the KHS pedagogy program does an exceptional job preparing students for teaching positions.
Ronny Benedict
Ronny Benedict received "Outstanding Poster Presentation Award" at the master’s level for his paper presented at the
Midwest Chapter conference of American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM) in October 2009. His research was to determine
whether anthropometric factors predicted and correlated with balance performance on dynamic and static balance
tests.
Ronny is a graduate assistant who teaches weight training, assists Dr. Qin Lai with motor behavior research, and assists
Dr. Hermann-J. Engels in the exercise physiology laboratory. He successfully presented his study entitled “Effects of
Anthropometric Factors on Balance Acquisition Among Youths” at the annual conference of the North American Society for Psychology
of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) in the summer of 2009. Currently, Ronny is working on his thesis under the direction of
Drs. Lai and Engels. His research focuses on the relationship between overweight/obesity and postural control among youth.
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