Spreading cheer

The merger of the College of Nursing and the Department of Kinesiology two years ago brought together two distinctly different academic divisions with a common goal: improving health through teaching, research, and service.

Efforts to create a unified, cohesive team sparked several ideas for creating synergy. One of these ideas led to the creation of the Spirit Team in fall 2015.

The Spirit Team is a dynamic group of 25-30 students, faculty, and staff who volunteer their time to design events that enhance the College of Nursing and Health Innovation.

"This provides opportunities to get involved," says Rebecca Garner, clinical assistant professor of kinesiology, who also oversees the team. "It provides an arena for all of us to work together, but in a completely different way."

The team has supported events like Homecoming and Health Professionals Night at the basketball game, which attracted students, faculty, staff, and alumni.