March 22, 2007

LIVINGSTON, Ala.—The University of West Alabama recently inducted two former physical education professors, Dr. Hortense Hester and Virginia E. Young, both of Montgomery, into the Society of the Golden Key at its annual Honors Day Convocation. Induction into the society is the highest honor bestowed upon a UWA graduate or faculty member.

Dr. Hortense Hester, a member of the UWA faculty from 1966 until her retirement as Professor Emeritus in 1986, served as chairperson of the Division of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. She received a bachelor’s degree in physical education and mathematics from Judson College, a master’s degree in physical education from the University of Alabama and a doctorate in physical education from Indiana University. Her coaching experience includes women’s tennis, basketball and field hockey, as well as officiating certification.

Hester is a member of the Alabama Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation; the American Education Association; the American Educational Research Association; and the National Education Association. She is also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and Kappa Delta Pi national honor societies. She received the Southern Association of Physical Educators for College Women’s Outstanding Service Award and was recognized by the Outstanding Educators of America, the Dictionary of International Biography and Who’s Who in the South and Southwest. She has worked with the Girl Scouts of America, serving as a counselor, unit leader and director for the state of Alabama. 

Virginia E. Young joined the UWA faculty in 1967 in the Division of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, spending 30 years in Livingston and directing UWA’s Special Olympics Program. An Indiana native, Young earned a bachelor’s degree at Purdue University in 1947 with a double major in physical education and biology. She achieved All-Star status on the Purdue volleyball, basketball, field hockey and softball teams. She was also vice president of the Purdue Triton Swimming Club and president of the Purdue Women’s Athletic Association and the Purdue Sportswomen. Young was also named a Purdue Distinguished Student. She also earned a master’s degree in physical education and recreation at Boston University and completed coursework for a doctorate of physical education at Indiana University.

Before coming to UWA, Young taught at Southern Illinois University and served as head of the women’s physical education aquatic program and student teachers, ARC water safety program and WNORC Southern Illinois board of women officials. Following her retirement from UWA as Professor Emeritus in 1986, Young was granted honorary membership in the Southern Association for Physical Education of College Women, the organization’s highest honor.            

Since their retirement, both Hester and Young have volunteered 24 weeks each year with the National Park Service at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg, Tenn.