Member of the Month - 06/2010

 

AggieFit salutes John Fowler as the "Member of the Month" for June. Fowler is a former graduate student of NMSU and has been a NMSU faculty member within the Agricultural Economics department for  31 years. Fowler's other contributions to NMSU include his role the ongoing coordinator for the NMSU Range Improvement Task Force for 22 years and a chair holder for the Linebery Policy Center.

Fowler takes pride in the fact that he has maintained a very consistent habit of including physical activity throughout his entire life.

"The AC serves functions for every different stage of life," Fowler stated during his Member of the Month interview.

His early years at the NMSU Activity Center included a healthy dose of ritual basketball, racquetball, and strength training activities. Presently, Fowler still enjoys use of the strength and cardio equipment available at the AC.

Besides said indoor pursuits, Fowler is also responsible for the operation of NMSU's ranch located in Sante Fe, which entails a great deal of outdoor activity and labor. In a year's time he is required to make many round trips to NMSU's ranch; trips that involve elongated bouts of inactivity while traveling in a vehicle. Fowler states that his consistent regimen of physical activity assists greatly in countering postural discomforts during these rides and has contributed greatly to maintaining everyday, functional movements.

He is confident as he states that his responsibilities in Sante Fe will never keep him away from conducting his favorite activities at NMSU.

"If I'm in town, I'm here (at the AC). It offers so many amenities and has friendly, informed staff - I love it!"

Fowler has also discovered a significant relationship between his exercise habits and his role in academia.

"It's the balance between academics and athletics and they reciprocate themselves. I use this hour to break up my day and I go back to the office reinvigorated. I have found that my workouts at the AC are a productivity enhancer within the work day and they assist me in being mentally acute. When I leave a workout feeling good, I exude confidence and it feels great!"

To further balance the athletic/academic equation, Fowler enjoys the connections he makes between fellow faculty/staff members who frequent the AC; connections he says he may have never made if he was not a regular patron.

"The AC is a very important communication medium between all faculty/staff members. I enjoy the camaraderie that not only Faculty/Staff members share, but between students as well, all in a relaxed environment."

Finally, what advice does Fowler provide to those seeking more physical activity?

"Invest in yourself and prolong your ability to have a quality life"

Know someone who deserves to be recognized? If you would like to nominate an individual affiliated with the NMSU community for the AggieFit "member of the month", please contact: smeyer@nmsu.edu or 646-5178