At this year's national convention for the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE, April 13-17), two ODU doctoral students in Human Movement Sciences swept two National Awards. Katie Holland and Steve Holland (Advisor Dr. Justin Haegele) were selected to receive the 2021 Ruth Abernathy Scholarship, a very prestigious award that typically recognizes two students at each year's national convention (see here for more details: https://www.shapeamerica.org/scholarships/abernathyscholarship.aspx). Additionally, they were selected to receive the 2021 Graduate Student of the Year Award from the APE/A Special Interest Group at the Claudine Sherrill Awards Banquet. This award is usually presented to just one scholar per year, and this is the first time in the history of the award that two students were selected. In summary, Katie and Steve cleared these two national awards!

Katie Holland received her bachelor's degree from Canisius College, and her master's degree in adapted physical education from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. She has been a highly engaged doctoral scholar who has balanced scholarly productivity, teaching, and service to the community. Steve Holland received his bachelor's degree from Purdue University, and his master's degree in adapted physical education from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. Both Katie and Steve have published multiple peer-reviewed articles and are currently doctoral scholars with the multi-institution adapted physical activity mentorship consortium supported by a USDE grant (PI: Dr. Haegele, see mamc.info), and doctoral candidates in health and sport pedagogy in the Department of Human Movement Sciences at ODU. Upon graduation this summer, they have both accepted faculty positions with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway.