Family, friends, donors, and colleagues gathered October 4 at Colorado State University’s Human Performance Clinical Research Laboratory to honor the life and legacy of former Health and Exercise Science Department Head Gay Israel who served as department head for 18 years and passed away in 2016.
Remembering Israel
Israel’s successor, Barry Braun, spoke to Israel’s impact in research, mentorship, department growth, and community partnerships. Israel enlarged the department’s footprint in many ways during his tenure from 1996-2014, including the establishment of the Human Performance Clinical Research Lab in 2000 with subsequent expansions in 2010, 2014, and 2017. Learn more about Israel’s life and career.
A plaque located near the main entrance and “energy walkway” into the lab, celebrates Israel: “Gay was committed to providing facilities that would be worthy of a world-class research program centered on exercise as a means to prevent age-related diseases. Gay believed that the mission of the department was to ‘Discover Healthy Lifestyles.’”
“Gay was deeply committed to honesty, integrity, and generosity of spirit in all of his endeavors. He was a trusted friend, mentor, and role model who inspired others to be partners in all of the Health and Exercise Science undertakings.”
Builder of people
Matt Hickey, associate dean for research and graduate programs in the College of Health and Human Sciences and health and exercise science professor, spoke to Israel’s commitment to supporting people, not just bringing extraordinary facilities to life.
“Gay was a builder,” said Hickey. “But, I think it would be a mistake to think that the legacy Gay left was one that brings foremost to your mind bricks and mortar. He never lost sight of the fact that the people make the place. As much as he worked on building facilities, he worked on recruiting people and building people – spending time with them, investing in them, and launching them on their professional trajectories. When you see the photo of Gay, think about more than the beautiful, unbelievable facilities we have, think about the community of people that constitutes Health and Exercise Science.”
Vision in action
College of Health and Human Sciences Dean Lise Youngblade said, “Gay was truly visionary. His grand vision has not only stood the test of time but has continued to grow in new and stunningly innovative ways. I am thrilled that the HPCRL motivates and effectuates remarkable discoveries that improve the health and well-being of people.”
“We dedicate this lobby to Gay as an enduring testimony of our thanks for his leadership,” Braun said.
The Department of Health and Exercise Science is part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
