Colorado State University’s Department of Health and Exercise Science is home to award-winning, dynamic, and caring faculty who attract many students, making it one of CSU’s most popular undergraduate majors. Ask HES alumni over the past three decades to name their favorite faculty members, and it’s a safe bet that Wendy DeYoung tops many lists.

In honor of DeYoung’s service to the department and dedication to its students, she earned university-wide recognition with the 2023 Oliver P. Pennock Distinguished Service Award.

“Oliver P. Pennock Distinguished Service Awards recognize meritorious and outstanding achievement over a five-year period by full-time members of the academic faculty and administrative professional staff,” according to the Office of the Provost website. “The award program was established as a tribute to Professor Pennock, who served as a distinguished professor of Civil Engineering in the 1920s.”

A department staple for over three decades

DeYoung has been a highlight of the HES department for much longer than five years, starting her journey with the department in 1991 as an instructor and academic adviser. She spent her first seven years in the department teaching and guiding students through their academic journeys.

In 1998, she became the director of academic advising and director of undergraduate practicum and internship while continuing her instructor duties. She continued to balance these three student-centric roles until 2015. While pursuing her Ph.D. in education and human resources studies from CSU’s School of Education, which she successfully completed in 2017, she also became a senior instructor and director of the health promotion concentration.  She dedicated herself to her work and her own education with her characteristic determination and passion.

In 2019, DeYoung was promoted to assistant professor and assistant department head, alongside Department Head Barry Braun. She was also recognized that same year with the 2019-20 College of Health and Human Sciences Outstanding Teacher Award.

A legacy of learning, lending her light to thousands of students

Through more than thirty years as a faculty member, DeYoung has taught thousands of students, helming 10 different classes throughout the department, and teaching some courses more than 25 times over the years.

“Wendy has a rare generosity of spirit, and this is infectious to everyone around her,” said Dean Lise Youngblade in her support for the Pennock Award nomination, “Thus, not only does she embody dedication to service – she also elicits this commitment from others, even the most recalcitrant among us.”

DeYoung has a special joy when it comes to students, and many students can be found coming and going from her office any day of the week, to seek her guidance, share their good news, ask her for help, or just to chat. She has been on over 19 undergraduate honors theses committees as both a member and chair, manages the practicum experiences for over 120 students every year, and has been both a direct adviser and a chosen mentor for thousands of HES students over several decades.

“She combines great personal warmth, generosity of spirit, attention to detail, and a solution-oriented approach to all that she does,” shared Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs and University Distinguished Teaching Scholar Matt Hickey. “Moreover, she is utterly tireless; she teaches, she leads an important internship program, she advises both students and colleagues, serves as assistant department head, and does all of these with a consistent grace that has left an enduring impact on the people served throughout her sterling career.”

Despite the large number of students that DeYoung has taught and guided, she gives individual attention to them, taking pictures of all of her practicum students each year to hang in the hallway. When each intern gets a full-time offer, internship extension, or acceptance into a program they were applying to, she personalizes their photos with little shout bubbles, shouting their achievements for all to see and read, both inspiring those that are looking forward to their practicums and making each practicum student feel seen and honored in their achievement.

“I frequently run into our alumni at UCHealth offices, the Anschutz Medical Campus, Columbine Health Systems, and other community partners,” Braun wrote in DeYoung’s nomination, “And they universally wax poetic about the profound influence Wendy had on their educations, careers, and overall lives.”

Time for everything and everyone

In addition to her apparent unlimited time dedicated to students, DeYoung is also an integral part of the department, helping on almost every committee and event the department has. DeYoung has served for the department on the Curriculum Committee, helps with the Scholarship and Award Committee, assists with class scheduling, gives input to the HES Advisory Board, and lends a hand on many other committees. Her time and expertise have shaped events for students and the community, including Ram Welcome, the Homecoming 5K, HESFest, and Commencement—she has attended every ceremony since 2000 to cheer on and send off the many students she has come to know.

DeYoung also practices what she teaches to students: she participates in the HES Noon Hour program in the Moby weight room along with colleagues from across the university.

A lasting legacy

DeYoung’s true passion is in helping her students. Excerpts from  her many letters of appreciation detail ways her students have felt her support in meaningful ways:

• “I cannot express my gratitude enough for you and what you have done in my life. From the very first class I had with you my sophomore year ‘til now, you have shown me tremendous support and encouragement. You continue to be a positive light in the HES Department. You have shown me what it looks like to be that light no matter where you are or who you are with and to remain true to yourself.”
• “I just wanted to take a minute to let you know how much of an impact you’ve made on my career. I remember wandering into your office when I was just a little freshman asking you for advice. Here I am, a senior, so grateful for you being part of my life in college. CSU is so lucky to have you as a professor.”
• “I want to personally thank you for helping me so much this semester. Your passion for helping students succeed and be the best they can possibly be is essentially unmatched. I will carry the professionalism and class that you have taught with me throughout my life and future careers.”
• “It’s hard to put into words how thankful I am for everything you do. I appreciate the help you’ve given me.”
• “Words cannot express how truly grateful I am to have known you these last few years. You made my time studying HES so memorable. Your kind heart and sincerity are inspiring.”

The Department of Health and Exercise Science is honored to have the support of the Provost in acknowledging Wendy DeYoung as one of the 2023 Oliver P. Pennock Distinguished Service Award recipients. DeYoung is a privilege to work with, and the department is proud to be able to share her hard work, dedication, and passion with the world, especially through the many students she has nurtured and inspired. Her service to her students has truly left an unmatched legacy that will forever be part of the history of the department.

The Department of Health and Exercise Science and School of Education are part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.