CMU Department of Recreation, Parks & Leisure Serv

Kesley Alexander is a Rec Therapy & Rehab grad that is now in grad school at GVSU. She is the first author of this article (with Dr. Shay Dawson) that was her Honors capstone project. Kelsey was also on the @cmusoftball team at CMU! @cmuniversity @cmuehs @cmualumni @cmuathletics

So cool to see one of our programs highlighted in the hallway of the Bovee University Center! ALWAYS FIRED UP! 🔥👆 @cmuniversity @cmuehs @cmualumni

A follow up to yesterday’s post - a video capturing the week of Wilderness First Responder (WFR) training in and around historic Finch Fieldhouse! @cmuniversity @cmuehs @cmualumni 🔥👆🎥

Awesome that our Outdoor & Environmental Rec students have the opportunity to get both hands on experience &earn a certification as a Wilderness First Responder in RPL 365. The course was held during Spring Break in Finch! ALWAYS FIRED UP! 🔥👆🩺 @cmuniversity @cmuehs @cmualumni

Whether you chased better weather, are spending time with friends and family or just enjoying some down time at home… have great Spring Break! 🔥👆 @cmuniversity @cmuehs @cmualumni

Incredible to see all these friends at the CMU Alumni Social at the mParks Conference & Trade Show! Awesome turnout & great to celebrate two of our own who won major mParks awards - Clay Summers (Fellowship) & Greg Morris (Leadership)! @cmuniversity @cmuehs @cmualumni @MiParksRec

Exciting to have 3 students chosen for the Student Showcase at the mParks Conference & Trade Show! Students presented on the importance of experiences & exploration. L to R: Ryanne Martin (ERM); Camille Cashen (OER) & Erin Hammer (OER) @cmuniversity @cmuehs @cmualumni @MiParksRec

Inspiring to see so many @cmuniversity students volunteering their time mid-semester at the 2026 mParks Conference & Trade Show! Awesome they are giving back to the profession & learning about this great industry at the same time! FIRED UP! 🔥👆 @cmuehs @cmualumni @MiParksRec

Project AWARE students conquered mental toughness on the high ropes course focussing on overcoming barriers and social supports to increase self-esteem, resilience & self-accomplishment! @cmuniversity @cmuehs @cmualumni @sagchip

Awesome RPL 222 (Intro to Event & Rec Mgt) site visits to Grand Rapids last week! Stops on the tour included Make-A-Wish, West Michigan Sports Comm, Downtown Market, Experience GR, Devos Place, Amway Grand & Van Andel Arena! FIRED UP FROM FINCH! @cmuniversity @cmuehs @cmualumni

Congratulations to RPL Department Chair Dr. Tim Otteman who will serve in a leadership role on the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) Foundation Board as Secretary for 2026! FIRED UP IN FINCH! 🔥👆 @cmuniversity @cmuehs @cmualumni

Last Saturday, Rec Therapy & Rehab students got the opportunity to introduce Goalball, a sport for athletes with a vision impairment, to University Recreation during RecFest. We hope to have more collaborations with adapted sports! @cmuniversity @cmuehs @cmualumni @UrecCMU

Awesome to have Easton Hamel-Beach back on campus talking to Event & Rec Mgt (ERM) majors about corporate events in RPL 497. Easton (an ERM grad) is the Business Performance Analyst for BCD Meetings & Events! Welcome home Easton! 🔥👆 @cmuniversity @cmuehs @cmualumni @bcdme

Project AWARE braved the “Giants Ladder” this week focusing on teamwork and positive self-esteem. All students experienced great successes with several making it all the way to the top! FIRED UP IN FINCH! 🔥👆@cmuniversity @cmuehs @cmualumni

Great faculty meeting this week in the new XR Lab in the College of Education & Human Services! 6 bays, 8 systems & Varjo XR-4 headsets! All kinds of new opportunities for teaching methodologies, but also student applications! ALWAYS FIRED UP! @cmuniversity @cmuehs @cmualumni

“Major Week #2” in RPL 118! Monday was Dr. Bob Dvorak & Jordan Bruursema discussing the Outdoor & Environmental Recreation major and the Outdoor & Environmental Education minor. Today, they will hear from Erin Hammer, current OER student! @cmuniversity @cmuehs @cmualumni

Shay Dawson, along w/ Neli Ragina & Sarah Yonder from the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine @cmuniversity, have been selected to publish w/ the International Assoc of Medical Science Educators highlighting patient-centered strategies for people w/ disabilities! @cmuehs

Awesome to have Connections That Count in Finch tonight with our CMU Inclusive Recreation club for an Adapted Sports Night! 🔥👆FIRED UP IN FINCH! @cmuniversity @cmuehs @cmualumni

We started “Major Week” in RPL 118 this week with visits from the Event & Recreation Management (ERM) Program Director Dr. Lori Irwin on Monday & ERM student Katie Cree yesterday! 🔥👆 @cmuniversity @cmuehs @cmualumni

Project AWARE is back in full swing this semester in Finch! Recreational Therapy & Rehabilitation students help local 5th-8th grade students to build cooperative skills, self-esteem and to have fun! FIRED UP IN FINCH!🔥👆 @cmuniversity @cmuehs @cmualumni