Karrie Hamstra-Wright wins a fourth Silver Circle Award
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Kinesiology clinical professor Karrie Hamstra-Wright ’99 MS KN invites students to fall in love with their subject.
“For us as kinesiologists, the subject is the wonder of the human body,” Hamstra-Wright said. “If I can cultivate an atmosphere where students can be gripped by how awe-inspiring our bodies are, I trust that it will continue to ignite a desire to learn more — and learn more deeply.”
At AHS commencement on May 9, Hamstra-Wright will be presented with the Silver Circle Award for Excellence in Teaching. This recognition, given annually since 1996 to one faculty member from each of UIC’s colleges, is awarded by the graduating seniors. Hamstra-Wright has won the award four times since 2008.
“I have had the privilege of seeing the tremendous impact of Dr. Hamstra-Wright on student learning for a number of years,” said David Marquez, KN department head. “The combination of her background, intelligence, creativity and genuine care for the students is an example we all could follow.”
In every element of her work, Hamstra-Wright encourages connection and integration — between mind and body, research and clinical practice. She established the ASPIRE lab (Applied Sports Psychology and Injury Research and Education) alongside KINES clinical professor John Coumbe-Lilley, for example, offering hands-on learning and research experience to undergrad and graduate students. She also cocreated the Resilient Athlete Program to help injured athletes recover both physically and mentally.
She’s noticed that her students are becoming more interested in this integrated approach too.
“There are seeds of a richer understanding of how research and clinical practice work together,” Hamstra-Wright said. “I have seen critical thinking, reasoning, concept integration and practical application improve when students connect how the scientific process can make them better clinicians and how being clinicians can make them better at the scientific process.”
Beyond the coursework, grades and degree preparation, Hamstra-Wright instills in her students a desire to excel and make a difference. She is most proud when she gets a chance to see how much progress her students make as they advance through their programs.
“I have interacted with quite a few alumni this year, having the high honor of learning from them while calling them by their titles versus the other way around!”
Hamstra-Wright has also been gratified to witness this year’s Undergraduate Research and Teaching Assistants develop a passion for promoting health on and off campus.
“I have many specific goals,” Hamstra-Wright said, “but as long as they lead back to being a part of cultivating these things in our students, I’ll be on the right track.”