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‘A lifetime of work’ recognized by prestigious award to Larry Durstine
June 7, 2010
Larry Durstine
Dr. Larry Durstine, chair of the Arnold School’s Department of Exercise Science, has been recognized with a prestigious Citation Award from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
With his family members looking on, Durstine accepted the award Friday, June 4, at the ACSM’s 57th annual meeting in Baltimore.
“I am humbled and honored. The award represents a lifetime of work,” said Durstine, who was president of the ACSM from 2006-2007.
The Citation Award recognizes “significant and important contributions to sports medicine and/or the exercise sciences. These contributions may include, but are not limited to, research and scholarship; clinical care; and/or administrative or educational services in sports medicine or exercise science.”
Two other USC exercise scientists are past recipients of Citation Awards: Dr. Russ Pate in 1996 and Dr. Steve Blair in 1994. Like Durstine, Pate and Blair also are past presidents of ACSM.
The Citation Award is the latest in a long list of honors for Durstine, who grew up on a farm in Ohio where he developed a strong work ethic and a determination to hone his physical skills. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Malone College in Canton, Ohio, in 1973, a master’s degree from the University of Denver in 1974 and a doctorate from the University of Toledo in 1982.
In March 1982, he joined the USC faculty as an assistant professor and director of cardiac rehabilitation. In 2000, he was named chair of the department which has a graduate and undergraduate enrollment of more than 800 students in exercise science.
He is internationally recognized for his research on lipids and lipoproteins; physical activity, physical fitness, and health; cardiac rehabilitation; and exercise management for chronic diseases and disabilities. His studies have been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Heart Association and private foundations. Among his many honors and awards, Durstine received the University of South Carolina’s Michael J. Mungo Distinguished Professor Award and the Governor’s Distinguished Professor Award, both in 2005. He also was the recipient of the Arnold School’s Faculty Service Award in 2006.
It was apparent that the Citation Awards ceremony had special meaning for Durstine, who invited his two sons and their wives, his mother-in-law and his sister-in-law to join him and his wife, Linda, at the Baltimore conference.
“After the awards ceremony, I’m going to spend time with my best friend,” he said.
“Best friend” is Durstine’s tender nickname for his wife. The couple will celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary on June 14.
