Paul (’80) and Ande (’74) Havenar found Colorado State University during a summer visit to Fort Collins. They were accepted to the Department of Health and Exercise Science master’s program in order to further their careers as educators – the first step of many the couple has taken over the years to promote wellness and education in their own and others’ lives.
For 41 years, the Havenars have given back to CSU, championing Men’s and Women’s Golf, Women’s Basketball and the Kay Schaake Memorial Scholarship in memory of their physical education teacher at CSU who inspired them both. This spring they created their own legacy at CSU, by starting the Paul and Ande Havenar Scholarship Endowment to help students in the program continue their studies while easing some of the costs of education. Paul and Ande expressed that the scholarship was a way to show their gratitude to the health and exercise science department which helped start them on the path of their careers.
“In a way, it is our thank you to CSU for taking a risk and accepting us in 1973 as graduate students for a master’s degree in physical education, the precursor of today’s health and exercise science degree,” wrote the Havenars in a message about the scholarship. “The relationships and studies we experienced in the department opened many professional doors to us.”
Finding CSU
Their journey, intertwined with CSU’s history, captures the inspirational power of education and the lasting impact it can have on both individuals and their surrounding communities, as well as shape a personal history for the better.
After meeting while studying at the University of Illinois, the Havenars began their teaching careers in the Chicago suburbs. A glint of inspiration and a chance trip led them from the Midwest to the Rockies. “After marriage, we realized we wanted to pursue graduate degrees in education. A summer visit to family in Fort Collins convinced us to apply to CSU,” recalled the Havenars. “The gods favored us both with acceptance to CSU, leaves of absence from our Illinois teaching positions, and graduate teaching assistantships. We never looked back!”
Opening doors
Reflecting on their acceptance to CSU in 1973, the Havenars acknowledge the pivotal role the University played in shaping their professional paths. As graduate students in physical education, they found a supportive community that not only nurtured their academic interests but also opened doors to many opportunities.
“Contacts with the Poudre School District through CSU opened the door for Paul’s professional career including a few years of elementary PE and almost 25 as an elementary school principal,” emphasized the Havenars. Paul served as principal at the Washington School, now home to CSU’s Early Childhood Center. Paul remarked on the school’s history and future in a 2019 story and video celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Washington School.
Paul also served as one of the first NCAA women’s basketball coaches for CSU in the early 70s. His leadership in the Poudre School District and collegiate sports highlights the impact of CSU’s connections with the local community. Immediately after CSU, Ande worked for Fort Collins Parks and Recreation before beginning her tenure as a PE teacher and later became a district human resources specialist. Their journeys demonstrate the range and variety of connections that can open up to dedicated graduates.
Prioritizing a healthy lifestyle
The Havenars walk the talk when it comes to their dedication to lifelong physical activity, which they believe is inspired in part by their education at CSU. Their involvement in recreational sports and active travel underscores this belief in a holistic approach to health, aligned with the department’s motto, “Movement Equals Health.”
“We are lifelong recreational athletes in multiple sports as well as avid Rams fans. We have traveled to Europe on several bicycle trips and continue overseas adventures each year,” said the Havenars. “Fitness and wellness are a focus of many aspects of life for us.” While they note that the historic model of a stereotypical gym class no longer exists, they applaud the shift. “The emphasis is now on classes and a focus on lifetime sports and activities.”
The evolution of health and exercise education at CSU reflects this broader societal shift towards a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to health and fitness. The Department of Health and Exercise Science fosters a curriculum that emphasizes lifetime activity and wellness. With numerous pathways into health and wellness career fields, the curriculum highlights how an understanding of kinesiology and sport psychology can improve lives and health across lifespans and communities.
By investing in the education of others through the new scholarship, the Havenars wish to honor and remember the transformative impact of their own experiences at CSU and continue to make that impactful experience accessible for future students. The scholarship is open to any student enrolled in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at CSU, including both undergraduate and graduate programs.
As the years have passed and the Havenars have collected memories, they reflected that counting birthdays serves as poignant reminder of the importance of movement and healthy lifestyle choices. Through their scholarship, they hope to inspire a new generation of health advocates who will continue to promote wellness and fitness for years to come.
The Department of Health and Exercise Science is part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
