Kirk receives lecture award from SHAPE America

T. Nicole Kirk, assistant professor in the Mary Frances Early College of Education’s Department of Kinesiology, recently received the 2022 Claudine Sherrill lecture award from the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) America’s Adapted Physical Education and Physical Activity (APE/PA) Special Interest Group.

The lecture is named for Claudine Sherrill, known as the “mother of adapted physical activity,” who taught and mentored hundreds of students.

“Dr. Claudine Sherrill was a pioneer in the field of adapted physical activity—that is, exercise, sport, and physical education for disabled people,” Kirk said. “Through scholarly writing and mentorship, Dr. Sherrill’s vision continues to shape the field’s trajectory today.”

Kirk felt honored to receive the award and to help extend Sherill’s vision.

“I would like to thank my colleagues at UGA and beyond for the collaboration and support, and the participants in the studies I’ve completed,” Kirk said. “I’m forever grateful to them for their willingness to share their experiences, and I hope that together we can make strides toward equitable, accessible, and meaningful physical activity spaces for disabled folks of all ages.”

Kirk gave the lecture during the APE/PA awards at SHAPE America’s 2022 Convention on April 28.