Joliet, Ill. – Sydney L. Sklar, Ph.D., Professor and Department Chair of Recreation and Sport Management at the University of St. Francis (USF) has been elected as a Fellow into the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (the Academy). Sklar was inducted at the Academy’s General Membership Meeting October 9, 2024. Bill McAdam, Executive Director of the Downers Grove Park District and a double alumnus of USF (’89 and ’98), nominated Sklar for the honor.
The Academy is an organization of distinguished practitioners and educators who are leaders in the parks and recreation profession. To be elected into the Academy, the individual must have served for at least 15 years in a high level of administration in a park and recreation agency or as a recognized educator in parks and recreation administration, or they must manage a park and recreation department for a community with a population of more than 500,000. They also must have demonstrated outstanding leadership in professional organizations through service, writing or speaking, and they must have displayed a deep interest in advancing public parks and recreation. The Academy is limited to 137 active members.
“I’m grateful for the invitation to join this group of champions for parks, recreation, and quality of life in their local communities and nationally. It is the honor of my life to be asked to join this group of change makers. Now more than ever, we need to preserve and protect natural spaces which lift up the human spirit, and steward the resources and programs needed to improve and enhance the quality of life in our communities,” Sklar offered.
“AAPRA advances knowledge and practice in the park and recreation profession. The opportunity to serve this mission is a privilege, and I am honored to represent USF on this national stage. I look forward to using these experiences to enhance the education and professional networks of Recreation and Sport Management students at USF as they prepare to lead the profession into the future,” he added.
Established in 1980, the Academy was formed to advance knowledge related to the administration of recreation and parks; to support and encourage scholarly efforts by both practitioners and educators; to enhance the practice of park and recreation administration; to promote broader public understanding of the importance of parks and recreation to the public good; and to conduct research, publish scholarly papers and/or sponsor seminars related to the advancement of park and recreation administration.
“The Class of 2024 is a great addition to the Academy,” said President Tracey Crawford, Executive Director of the Northwest Special Recreation District in Rolling Meadows, Ill. “The Academy is honored to induct Dr. Sydney Sklar into its ranks. The Academy represents a diverse group of professionals and educators – all with superior career experience and a dedication to improving the quality of life through the provision of high-quality parks and recreation opportunities. We welcome Dr. Sklar as a member of the American Academy for Park & Recreation Administration.”
More information on the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration is available at www.aapra.org.
About Dr. Sydney Sklar
Dr. Sydney Sklar is Professor and Chair of Recreation and Sport Management at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Ill. Dr. Sklar completed his Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance with the University of Florida, where he specialized in therapeutic recreation. His research interests include outdoor adaptive sports, therapeutic recreation education, youth development, and therapeutic adventure. His publications include chapters in therapeutic recreation textbooks and articles in journals such as the Therapeutic Recreation Journal, World Leisure Journal, Annual in Therapeutic Recreation, and International Journal of Servant Leadership. He has conducted numerous presentations at local, state, regional, national, and international conferences.
Dr. Sklar served six years on the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions, and three years as its Chair. During his tenure as Chair, he led the Council’s transition from its status as a subsidiary of the National Recreation and Park Association to that of an independent organization. He is a past Associate Editor and Guest Editor for the Therapeutic Recreation Journal and a past Director At-Large for the National Therapeutic Recreation Society. In his home state of Illinois, Dr. Sklar serves on the Board of Regents for the Illinois Park and Recreation Association Pro-Connect Peer Mentoring program, and he is a past Education Director for the Illinois Recreational Therapy Association. He currently heads up a statewide task force to recruit future college students to therapeutic recreation baccalaureate programs.
Prior to earning his doctorate, Dr. Sklar served as a recreation therapist at Shands at Vista Mental Health Center (Gainesville, Fla.) and Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (North Aurora, Ill.). He earned his M.S. in Recreation Administration at Aurora University, and his B.A in English/Communications at Albright College; and he holds current certifications as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and Wilderness First Responder. Dr. Sklar is also a performing rock n’ roll guitarist and budding music producer. An avid outdoor recreation enthusiast, he enjoys going on wilderness adventures with his family. His wife, Bev Sklar, is a literacy coach with the Joliet Elementary School District. His son, Frank (23), is an adaptive ski instructor in Colorado, and his daughter, Etta (20), majors in Outdoor Education Leadership at Westminster University in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 3,300 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.
University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.
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