CMU Department of Recreation, Parks & Leisure Services Administration

08/20/2026

So proud of Dr. Irwin! 🔥👆

Dr. Lori Irwin will be inducted into the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration class of 2026.

08/17/2026

On August 10th, T.O. and Lori attended the Asian Artist Awards of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as guests of Dr. Joe Goldblatt who delivered a welcome address! Dr. Goldblatt is the preeminent authority on festival management; the author, co-author and editor of over 40 books and was their VIP guide for a day “behind the scenes” of the Fringe, a 79 year old festival of performing arts! FIRED UP AT THE FRINGE! 🔥👆 🎭

08/06/2026

In June, our own Dr. Bob Dvorak, as part of the United States-Germany Partnership on Wilderness, attended the Wildnis in Dialogue Conference in Passau, Germany. This partnership between the U.S. Forest Service, the WILD Foundation and the Germany Ministry of the Environment works to share knowledge, build networks and engage professionals on the stewardship of wilderness and protected areas. The team visited the Bavarian National Park, Berchtesgaden National Park and Berlin. ALWAYS FIRED UP! 🔥👆

08/04/2026

We are excited and honored to share that Dr. Lori Irwin is being inducted in the Class of 2026 as a Fellow of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA). She will be inducted at the National Recreation and Park Association Conference in Philadelphia joining 150 active members, only 25 being educators!

Dr. Irwin states, “The Academy recognizes leaders who have demonstrated distinguished service to the parks and recreation profession and is comprised of people who I deeply respect, have taken time to mentor and befriend countless professionals, and who consistently dedicate themselves to their communities and profession. As an Academy member, I look forward to contributing to the profession by sharing knowledge, supporting future leaders, and helping strengthen the impact parks and recreation has on communities across the country. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have outstanding colleagues, family and friends who have inspired and supported my professional journey. I am proud to represent Central Michigan University and look forward to contributing as much as possible through AAPRA to improve the lives of everyone in our communities.”

Learn more about the Academy and its mission at www.aapra.org.

07/23/2026

95 new students from the United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands, Mexico and Guatemala checked in today in Orlando at Walt Disney World to begin their International Disney Exchange Program! All of these students are earning CMU credit and getting hands on experiences at the “happiest place on earth!” INTERNATIONALLY FIRED UP! 🔥👆

07/14/2026

Week #2 of our RPL 312 Study Abroad was full of energy at a Special Olympics-style day camp with adults that have intellectual disabilities at Milan Petrovic in Novi Sad, Serbia. We will finish up the trip with visits to Romania and Hungary. ALWAYS FIRED UP! 🔥👆

07/09/2026

Where “WE DO” and “WE RISE UP” come together! Fired Up In Finch! 🔥👆

07/07/2026

SUMMER INTERNS! So great to get out of Finch during the summer months to visit interns all over the state! Dr. Otteman (T.O.) went from Traverse City to Grand Rapids this week seeing Olivia Dorman with the Festival Foundation celebrating the 100th National Cherry Festival & Kassidy Casillas with Gordon Food Service splitting her experience with the food show team & internal GFS events! ALWAYS FIRED UP! 🔥👆

07/06/2026

SUMMER STUDY ABROAD! 13 students are taking RPL 312 (Disability in Southeast Europe) working with the Veljko Skola Ramadanovic Elementary School in Belgrade, Serbia. Students will travel to Serbia, Romania and Hungary, each will have the opportunity to facilitate camp activities for an hour and all will get 40 hours of direct work with youth that have disabilities! FIRED UP IN FINCH! 🔥👆🇷🇸

07/04/2026

Always Fired Up! 🔥👆🇺🇸