Dr. Tamara J. Arthaud, associate professor of special education at Missouri State University, has received an agreement from Special Olympics, Inc. for a project entitled “Sport Health Improvement Program-II” (SHIP-II). The award is in the amount of $25,000.

David Lenox, vice-president for sports and athlete leadership at International Special Olympics, invited Missouri State to join SHIP. Lenox is an alumnus of the Missouri State special education program and wanted to develop this opportunity for current students.

The $25,000 will be used to fund five student interns who will spend eight weeks in Washington, D.C., working with International Special Olympics.

“We have two special education majors, two dietetic majors and one exercise science major who were awarded an internship for summer 2009,” said Arthaud. “These five interns will develop educational programs in exercise, nutrition, fitness and/or health for athletes with cognitive disabilities.”

Upon the conclusion of their internship, the five interns are required to return to the Missouri State campus and implement the program they developed in the southwest Missouri region. They will work with faculty advisers to determine how best to introduce that program, such as providing a special event on the Missouri State University campus or in the Springfield area, or providing a special program at the Fall 2009 Missouri Special Olympics.

“We are extremely excited to have this opportunity for our students, and we look forward to the leadership and service the SHIP-II interns will provide to the Missouri State campus in fall 2009,” added Arthaud.

This project is a collaborative effort of International Special Olympics, Missouri State College of Health and Human Services and Missouri State College of Education.