Jerry Hitzhusen has shown his dedication to CAFNR by recently receiving the Missouri Older Worker Award.
Nominees must be 65 years of age or older, employed at a Missouri job site for an average of 20 or more hours per week, and a Missouri resident.
Hitzhusen, associate professor in the department of parks, recreation and tourism, School of Natural Resources, received the “Unleashing the Power of Age” 2013 Region 5 Winner in Recognition of Outstanding Contributions to the Missouri Workforce plaque at a ceremony Sept. 28.
The annual contest is sponsored by the Missouri Senior Employment Coordinating Committee, consisting of the AARP Foundation; Experience Works, Inc.; Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph; MERS/Missouri Goodwill Industries; the Department of Economic Development/Division of Workforce Development; and the Department of Health and Senior Services/Division of Senior and Disability Services.
Some of the projects Hitzhusen has worked on include: Project LFFE(Leisure Is For Everyone), a contract with the Missouri Department of Mental Health that produced over 30 publications and three educational games; Midwest Symposium on Therapeutic Recreation for over 40 years; International Symposium on Therapeutic Recreation for 12 years; held the position chair and co-chair of the Department of PRT; MU Ability Week Committee member; ADA Committee member on numerous MU Athletic Facilities; Boots on the Green Adapted Golf Program with St. Louis VA Medical Center; Advisory Board for the Paula J. Carter Center on Minority Health and Aging member; Board of Directors for the Missouri Amputee Golf Association member.
The winners were invited to attend a two-day award ceremony Oct. 2-3 in Jefferson City, which includes a recognition lunch and a banquet.
“This contest serves as a thank you to those who dedicate their time and energy to better our community through their vocations, particularly older workers,” said Dr. Lewis Chartock, president and CEO of MERS/Goodwill , per eMissourian.com. “MERS/Goodwill is proud to cosponsor the contest again this year as a tribute to workers whose wisdom, punctuality and commitment to quality, set high standards in the work force.”