Harrison Winner of Charles D. Henry Award - January 18, 2011

Dr. Louis Harrison, Jr., a professor in the College of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction, has been honored with the 2011 Charles D. Henry Award. The award is presented by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) to individuals who, through distinguished service to the Alliance, have increased involvement of ethnic minorities in the AAHPERD, increased communication with greater numbers of ethnic minority members, and extended meaningful services to AAHPERD ethnic minorities.

He will be recognized at the AAHPERD’s annual national convention in San Diego in March.

Harrison’s research focuses on how African American racial identity influences African Americans’ physical activity choices and performance. The purpose of his research on race and its relationship to sport and physical activity is to investigate the factors that influence identity developmental patterns and achievement of African Americans. His most recent book, “Real Role Models,” co-authored with Joah Spearman, addresses the issue of African American identity development and the need for black youth to be encouraged to look beyond the narrow niches of sports and entertainment as they plan their futures and aim for professional success. In the book, Harrison and Spearman present profiles of 23 black professionals who enjoy success in a wide variety of fields, the emphasis being on education and hard work as the best tools for achieving dreams.

Inspirational profiles from “Real Role Models” include those of Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Leonard Pitts, White House Domestic Policy Council director Melody Barnes, Vibe editor-in-chief Danyel Smith, and Dr. Tim George, Chief of Pediatric Neuroscience at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas.

In addition to being a faculty member in The University of Texas at Austin’s College of Education, Harrison also is affiliated with the university’s Center for African and African American Studies.

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