Trinity University

The Office of University Communications
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Jan. 24, 2012

Dean of Students at Trinity University Receives Award for Fitness Program

David Tuttle is recognized nationally for advocacy in physical fitness on campus

By Andrea Davis '12

SAN ANTONIO - David M. Tuttle, associate vice president for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Trinity University, has been named the 2012 Excellence Award Silver Honoree in the category for Athletics, Recreation, Physical Fitness, Non-Varsity Sports and Related, by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), a professional association for student administrators in higher education.

Tuttle received the award for developing a new campus program that focused on physical fitness, the Dean of Students Half Marathon Challenge and Kayla Mire Food Drive. He issued the challenge in 2008 when the San Antonio Rock 'n' Roll Marathon/Half-Marathon was launched in San Antonio. Tuttle wanted to get students involved and at the same time promote physical fitness on campus.

"I think the value of the program is that it helps people challenge their physical and mental limits," he said. "Running 13.1 miles even for casual runners can be daunting. But training together, slowly increasing mileage...all of a sudden people realize they can do more than they ever imagined. I think it opens up people to the long-term possibilities of lifetime fitness."

As a result, over the last four years, students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni have participated in the training program. The result has been to increase personal physical fitness, draw in more prospective runners, get the word out on campus about the benefits of fitness, and bring the Trinity community closer together.

"My favorite part of the program is connecting with the students," Tuttle commented. "You learn a lot about people when you log miles with them. I have had additional interactions with students from running with them because we have a rapport and they consider me a resource. And I consider them when I need candid student feedback." 

Moreover, this challenge works not only to support Trinity members but also the San Antonio community. Trinity training groups run in support of organizations like the San Antonio Food Bank. The Kayla Mire Food Drive at Trinity was named in honor of Kayla Mire, a Trinity graduate who worked closely with Tuttle as a student. Mire died in a car accident shortly after graduating from Trinity in 2010.  

Last year, Trinity won a NASPA gold medal award for a New Student Orientation program on diversity.

To learn more about Trinity’s involvement in the marathon, click here. To see photos from training and race day, click here. 

Text provided by Andrea Davis of Farmington, N.M., a candidate for graduation from Trinity University in May 2012 with a degree in history and English. She is a student worker in the Office of University Communications