Lambdin Winner of Massey Award for Excellence in Teacher Education - Sept. 9th, 2009

Dr. Dolly D. Lambdin, clinical professor in the College of Education's Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, has been selected as this year's recipient of the Elizabeth Shatto Massey Award for Excellence in Teacher Education.

The Massey Award annually recognizes one University of Texas at Austin "teacher of teachers," a faculty member who inspires and prepares future elementary and secondary school teachers. Lambdin will be honored with the $12,000 award at a ceremony to be held in the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center on Thursday, Sept. 24.

Lambdin has been a University of Texas at Austin faculty member in the College of Education since 1976. She has devoted a large portion of her professional career to teaching physical education at the elementary level while simultaneously teaching and preparing future teachers at the university level.

Lambdin's unique experience as both a university teacher and an elementary school teacher gave rise to a book titled "Putting Research to Work in Elementary Physical Education: Conversations in the Gym," which she authored, and her book "Fitness for Life: Middle School" won a national Textbook Excellence Award. She is the first University of Texas at Austin faculty member ever to win this national award.

"What strikes most people who know Dolly as noteworthy and extraordinary is the extent to which she fights for a reduction in childhood obesity by communicating the importance of physical activity," said Manuel J. Justiz, dean of the College of Education. "In her classroom, in her community service posts and at the state Capitol in legislative hearings, she cites landmark scientific research that shows the positive correlation between physical activity and academic achievement. Her hard work in this area is on behalf of all children.”

A committee of University of Texas at Austin representatives and alumni who are active in public education selected Lambdin for the prestigious honor. Student evaluations and the recommendations of peers, students and program directors were used to evaluate the candidates from the university's seven teacher preparation programs.

Named for Elizabeth "Libba" Shatto Massey, the award was created by University of Texas at Austin alumnus John Massey to honor his wife's lifelong dedication to public education. Libba received her degree in education in 1961 from The University of Texas at Austin and pursued a career in teaching. She remains committed to education and connected to the campus through her service on the College of Education Foundation Advisory Council and on the executive committee of the Chancellor's Council for the University of Texas System. She is also a former member of the Texas Exes Board of Directors.

The Texas Exes, the alumni association for The University of Texas at Austin, was founded in 1885. The mission of the Texas Exes is to unite, inform and involve alumni and friends for the purpose of promoting, protecting and preserving The University of Texas at Austin.

The College of Education is ranked third in the nation among public universities and seventh overall by U.S. News & World Report. Its award-winning faculty and centers produce definitive scholarship in fields as wide-ranging as educational psychology, school leadership, kinesiology, health education, curriculum, teacher preparation and special education.

—Kay Randall, University Communications, 512-232-3910