RU appoints new director of Recreation and Wellness

Barry Miller has been named Radford University's director of the Department of Recreation and Wellness, a position new to the university.

Miller comes to RU most recently from Old Dominion University, where he served more than two years as the director of the Peninsula Higher Education Center.  Prior to ODU, Miller worked for 15 years in the University of Delaware’s Division of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation Services. He carries more than 20 years of higher education leadership experience, including positions in teaching, academic affairs and recreation administration. He also serves on the editorial review board for the NIRSA Recreational Sports Journal.

As director of Recreation and Wellness, Miller will oversee all recreation services, programs and facilities, including the new Recreation and Wellness Center and the forthcoming turf field project.

"Barry had the qualifications that we were looking for in regards to his expertise and experience and the wellness and recreation components that we needed," said Kenneth Bonk, associate vice president for Student Affairs/Student Activities. "This is our first opportunity to really charge the gates when it comes to providing top-notch programs, services and facilities for the students at Radford University. I think our program will be the one that other universities will aspire to, and Barry has that expertise to bring us to the level we need to be at."

At RU, Miller will also serve as assistant professor for the Health and Human Performance Department.

Miller said he was drawn to the university because of its small campus size and its pledge to a healthy and active student body.

"I think Radford's at a turning point with a commitment to the recreation/wellness areas, the new turf field project, the COBE building and the new health sciences building - all were indications that, hey, this place might be a really cool place moving forward," Miller said.

Miller said the new Recreation and Wellness Center, currently under construction, will be "a hub of activity" and an important asset to the university.

"The facilities are going to provide opportunities for programming that we don't have," Miller said.

Miller earned a B.A. in physical education/teacher preparation in 1987 and an M.A. in biomechanics, teaching and coaching in 1990, both from California State University, Chico; a Ph.D. in kinesiology/sport biomechanics in 1997 from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; and an M.B.A. in 2002 from the Alfred Lerner School of Business at the University of Delaware.