Tarleton’s Simpson named A&M System Regents Professor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 7, 2019

STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State University’s Dr. Steve Simpson has been named a Texas A&M University System Board of Regents Professor.

The professor of kinesiology is one of 13 faculty members in the A&M System designated a Regents Professor for 2018-2019.

“These awards recognize and honor the exemplary accomplishments and contributions of our faculty, extension or research professionals,” said Elaine Mendoza, chairman of The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. “Though they vary in focus and location, these individuals exemplify the commitment to excellence in research and service that sets A&M System employees apart.”

The selection process begins with a call for nominations from the chancellor. Final nominations advance to the chief executive officer of each A&M entity and are then subject to a system-level review by academic vice chancellors and past recipients. The chancellor and the board have final say.

“It has been an honor to serve the School of Kinesiology, Tarleton State University and the TAMUS,” Simpson said. “My colleagues have always been supportive, and I have been blessed with great mentors.”

Simpson earned bachelor’s degrees in health, physical education and English from Hardin-Simmons University. He took his master’s in health and physical education from East Texas State University and his doctoral degree, also from ETSU, in health, physical education and recreation.

A member of the Tarleton faculty since 1984, he has received the O.A. Grant Excellence in Teaching Award, the Barry B. Thompson Service Award, the Engaged Faculty Award, and the Jack and Louise Arthur Teaching Excellence Award.

The National Athletic Trainers Association named Simpson the Division II Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2009. He received the Frank Medina Award and the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award from the Southwest Athletic Trainers Association and is in the organization’s Hall of Fame.

His research has resulted in 26 published articles and 40 scholarly presentations, including “Social and Moral Character of College Athletes: Is There a Difference?” for the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in 2017.

Simpson created Tarleton’s undergraduate sports medicine/athletic training licensure program, which has 11 courses, and was its director for 30 years. He led two study abroad courses, taking kinesiology students to Scotland in 2015 and to Argentina in 2019.

The Board of Regents established the Regents Professor Awards program in 1996 and the Regents Fellow Service Awards program two years later to recognize employees who have made outstanding contributions to their university or agency and to the people of Texas.

To date, 252 A&M System faculty members have been recognized as a Regents Professor, and 150 agency professionals have received the Regents Fellow Service Award.

Tarleton, founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven education marked by academic innovation and a dedication to transform today’s scholars into tomorrow’s leaders. It offers degree programs to more than 13,000 students at Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian, RELLIS Academic Alliance in Bryan, and online, emphasizing real-world learning experiences that address societal needs while maintaining its core values of tradition, integrity, civility, excellence, leadership and service.

Contact: Phil Riddle, News and Information Specialist
817-484-4415
[email protected]

A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of nearly 17,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. True to Tarleton’s values of excellence, integrity and respect, academic programs emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.
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