WEA Paul Petzoldt Leadership Award Winner 1998

 

Betty van der Smissen was a member of the bar, was author of a 3-volume reference book, Legal Liability and Risk Management for Public and Private Entities.  Dr. van der Smissen compiled many research and scholarly materials on recreation and was one of the founders of the Journal of Leisure Research.  She was the principal editor of The Management of Park and Recreation Agencies, as well as author of 16 chapters in various books.  She was active in the development and implementation of accreditation standards, particularly for academic curricula, camping, adventure programs, and public park and recreation agencies. She served as President of the American Camping Association and as a Trustee of the National Recreation and Park Association.  She was AALR’s first Nash Scholar Lecture Award recipient and also received the R. Tait McKenzie Award from AAHPERD and SPRE's Distinguished Fellow Award.