Bowling Green, Ky. - Michael Collins, a graduate assistant in the Intramural-Recreational Sports Department at Western Kentucky University, is one of the 2006 recipients of the William N. Wasson Student Leadership and Academic Award.

Created by the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) and named for its founder, the award was designed to recognize undergraduate and graduate students who exemplify exceptional qualities of self-improvement, academic success, volunteerism and leadership for the department of recreation as both a student and an employee. There were 103 candidates up for the award this year, and Collins is the first WKU student recognized with this award since its creation 13 years ago.

Originally from Fort Myers, Fla., Collins holds a bachelor’s degree in Parks Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management, and has been at WKU for two years working on his master’s degree in Sports Management. He is on the National Chancellor’s List, a publication recognizing honors graduate degree candidates, and is set to graduate this May.

"Winning the Wasson award meant a great deal to me,” Collins said. “I felt proud to have the opportunity to represent Western Kentucky University and the Intramural-Recreational Sports Department in a positive way.”

Stephen Rey, director of Intramural-Recreational Sports at WKU, wrote in his recommendation letter: “Mike has been involved in all facets of the Intramural-Recreational Sports program with specific emphasis in our Intramural Sports and Facility Management programs. He has spent a lot of time analyzing these programs and has made numerous suggestions for improvement making various activities more effective today. We have experienced an increase in growth in our participants on campus as a direct result of his tremendous insight.”

Collins has been a valuable asset to the Department of Intramural-Recreational Sports at WKU, serving as a liaison with the Housing and Residence Life’s Making Academic and Social Transitions Educationally Rewarding (M.A.S.T.E.R.) Plan program, the Admission Department’s Focus on Western program, and the Registrar Office’s Orientation, Advisement, and Registration program for incoming freshmen and transfer students. He also serves as advisor to the WKU Sports Officials Association Student Trained Referees in Power Every Second (S.T.R.I.P.E.S.).

In addition to his service at Western, Collins has worked in the local community as a volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club, as well as the local D.R.E.A.M. Factory, an affiliate of the “Make a Wish Foundation.” He is Kentucky’s State Representative for NIRSA, and will serve as a member of the host committee during the 2006 NIRSA National Conference to be held April 4 – 8 in Louisville.

Rey said: “We are extremely proud of Michael and his many accomplishments during the past two years as a graduate assistant for the Department of Intramural-Recreational Sports. His selection as a William N. Wasson Student Leadership and Scholarship Award recipient typifies the type of student Michael has become recognized as at Western Kentucky University and throughout the local community.”

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