Dr. Jerry Loflin Wins HES Teacher of the Year Award

The Teacher of the Year Award in the Department of Health and Exercise Studies (HES) is awarded to a deserving faculty member for excellence, creativity, and innovation in teaching. Nominees for the Teacher of the Year Award are submitted initially by students, then later voted on by HES faculty to determine the winner. 

HES students nominate faculty that exhibit teaching excellence during lecture and activity classes, provide superb skill demonstrations, and consistently display effective class organization and professionalism. Candidates should project enthusiasm during class and portray physical fitness through their teaching and actions. 

This year, the award went to Assistant Teaching Professor Dr. Jerry Loflin. Dr. Loflin has been with HES since Fall 2021 and has clearly made an immediate impact on his students. 

Students had many positive things to say about Dr. Loflin. 

“Dr. Loflin is always in high spirits and motivates his students to reach beyond one’s capabilities in and out of class. He demonstrates the curriculum in a way that is easy to understand and adapts it to everyday life, and even participates in the fitness activities alongside his students, which tells me that he really cares about what he is teaching us.” – Sera Walthall

“Dr. Loflin is an exceptional professor and made a positive impact on every student in the class. He is knowledgeable about the subject and organized class so that you learned a lot while having fun at the same time. I looked forward to coming to class every Monday and Wednesday and would honestly take the class again.” – Brooke Cox

“Dr. Loflin was very energetic and passionate about the subject. He always went the extra mile if a student needed help in any way.” – Yonna Bowden

Dr. Loflin specializes in racket sports classes, such as HESR 242 Badminton, HESR 256 Racquetball, and HESR 255 Pickleball, and instructs HESF 102 Fitness Walking. He is an active member of the American College of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association, and Society of Health and Physical Educators.  He has authored over 15 peer-reviewed publications and given over ten national and state presentations. 

Congratulations to Dr. Loflin, and we look forward to his sustained excellence in the Department of Health and Exercise Studies.