Greetings from Dr. Craig Finney, Chair

On behalf of the department faculty and student majors of the Department of Recreation and Tourism Management, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our web site. We have designed this site to introduce you to a very exciting field of study that uses recreation and play as a means to enhance the quality of life for all who participate in these behaviors and activities. As you scroll through the information, you will find answers to many of your questions about this discipline that is so essential to life satisfaction.

Our program of study is ever evolving. It must keep pace with the needs of a global community for all people to find balance in life between work and non-work experiences. Your personally tailored academic plan will be formulated with the assistance of a faculty team who has under taken successful careers in the human services fields of play, recreation and leisure. You will find that our very professionally accomplished faculty value YOU as an individual and developing professional and are eager for you to succeed in your academic career. Our undergraduate (B.S.) and graduate (M.S.) degree programs will successfully prepare you for various career paths within the dynamic field known as recreation and tourism management. While the B.S. degree is designed to provide you entry into the filed of event planning, travel/tourism and hospitality, and recreation, the M.S. degree program is available to assist you in entering the administrative ranks of the profession. Some of the professional areas are students find employment in are:

You will find that our experienced and highly respected team of faculty maintains a philosophy of balance between theory and practical application. The classroom as well as real world field settings serve as learning situations. We will provide you with very individual and personal academic advising, resulting in an academic plan of action that will successfully open the career doors you choose to pursue.

Please explore this web site to learn more about us as a field of study, possible career paths, our faculty team, and student groups. Do not hesitate to contact us should you have more questions. I look forward to meeting you personally.

Sincerely, Dr.Finney