Karen P. DePauw, vice president and dean of graduate education at Virginia Tech, was honored as a 2010 Distinguished Alumna at Texas Woman's University (TWU).

The award was conferred on Friday, April 23, at the Annual Awards Luncheon that begins Homecoming Reunion Weekend at TWU.

DePauw is a nationally recognized leader in graduate education,” said Amanda Simpson, director of news and information at TWU.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor given to a TWU graduate. Recipients represent the high ideals of the university as demonstrated in their professional accomplishment, leadership and community service. Along with DePauw, three other alumni were awarded this year and they are Claudine Sherrill, professor emeritus of Kinesiology at TWU; Rosemary Luquire, senior vice president and corporate chief nursing officer of the Baylor Health Care System; and Virginia Chandler Dykes, a retired healthcare professional and philanthropic leader.

“TWU provided an environment through which academic goals can be realized, and offered a sense of community that encouraged and empowered success. I’m pleased and honored to be recognized by my alma mater,” said DePauw.

Depauw came to Virginia Tech in 2002 from Washington State University at Pullman, where she served as dean of the graduate school, and professor of kinesiology. Aside from her administrative duties at Virginia Tech, she is also a tenured professor in sociology and human nutrition foods and exercise.

DePauw received many national and international awards, including the Philip Noel Baker Award for outstanding research from the International Council on Sport Science and Physical Education, and a Distinguished Scholar Award as well as a Distinguished Administrator Award from the National Association for Kinesiology and Physical Education (NAKPEHE).

DePauw has written seven books, more than 40 professional journal articles, and more than 30 chapters in books and proceedings. Also, she has served in several roles with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). From 1980 to 1992 DePauw was a member of the USOC Committee on Sports for the Disabled. She also served on the USOC Taskforce on Disability, and the USOC Taskforce on Women; the president of the USOC made both taskforce appointments.

DePauw earned Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Whittier College in Whittier, Calif. She earned a Master of Science degree in special education from California State University in Long Beach and a Ph.D. in kinesiology from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. DePauw’s dissertation focused on developing a mathematical model and study on center of gravity in Down syndrome. Before her tenure as a professor and administrator in higher education, DePauw was a teacher in Los Angeles City, and Los Angeles County school systems.

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