Lara Carlson receives the American College of Sports Medicine 2011 Honor Award

The New England Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine has announced that Lara A. Carlson, Ph.D., University of New England assistant professor of applied exercise science, is the recipient of the chapter's 2011 Honor Award, its most prestigious professional acknowledgment. 

The award was announced at the NEACSM Fall Conference Nov. 3-4, 2011 at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence.

The announcement cited Carlson's many achievements: "Dr. Carlson has provided dedicated service to the New England Chapter in a wide variety of ways, not the least of which is her contagious, fun-loving passion for everything she does."

She has served the New England Chapter since 2001 as Vermont state representative (while she was a faculty member at Castleton State University), member-at-large, and as president in 2006. She was a key contributor to strategic planning, has chaired free-communications and served on the scholarships committee.

Most recently, she serves as chairperson of the Camaione Development Fund. She "has single handedly re-defined how the Camaione Fund raises money in support of student development."

Carlson was recognized by a former Honor Award recipient as "a champion for students and as a role model to other professionals."

The citation adds that "Her passion and skill for raising money for student development is matched only by her passion and skill for contributing to the exercise science body of knowledge as an accomplished researcher, and invited speaker. Equally compelling is her commitment to collaborating with students through advocacy and community service."

Carlson also serves as a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and Motorsports (NASCAR) Safety Committee and as the ACSM Key Contact for the Maine Legislative district as dictated by the ACSM & Health and Science Policy Committee.