A. E. Ismail Center: History of the Center

Friends & Guests:

History of the Center

The Ismail Center opened in April 1999 with an ambitious plan for meeting its five year goals: to achieve financial self-sufficiency; to conduct large-scale interdisciplinary studies; and to design and implement a clinical education model that integrates HK and F&N faculty, staff and students in the Center’s operations. The Center relies heavily on the Greater Lafayette community to achieve its research and education goals, and, in turn, serves the community by offering affordable health-promoting services and programs.

The Ismail Center’s full-time administrative staff includes a director, assistant director and secretary. The HK Department Head, a Medical Advisory Board and a Research Committee work with the administrative staff in the Center’s development and growth. In addition undergraduate and graduate students comprise the majority of the fitness staff.

The late A.H. Ismail began the Purdue Physical Fitness Program in 1962. The major purpose of his initial program was to obtain subjects for his research. The program was conducted during the noon hour at the co-rec gym. In 1967 the Lambert Fieldhouse was renovated and Professor Ismail moved his program to the new facility. At this time he expanded the program and added to its original research purpose the service component for Purdue faculty and staff and the community. In addition he developed a graduate level course, HPER 512 – Design and Analysis of Adult Fitness Programs, which provided a laboratory experience where students could learn how to conduct adult fitness programs.

Dr. Ismail was a pioneer in the field of exercise for health prevention and maintenance. His work in this area led to many national and international honors. More about Dr. Ismail here.

The program was maintained and grew over the years under the leadership of several individuals after the passing of Dr. Ismail in 1984. Under the direction of the current department head of Health and Kinesiology, William Harper, Ph.D., ideas for creating a center to house the Adult Fitness Program and expand upon its initial mission began to develop. HK partnered with the department of Foods and Nutrition to petition the University for funds to renovate and equip part of the bottom floor of Lambert building. A one time investment of $400,000 as well as annual reinvestment funds were awarded for the creation and maintenance of the A.H. Ismail Center for Health, Exercise and Nutrition. An additional $120,000 was raised by a targeted fund-raising campaign and used to purchase the exercise and assessment equipment.

Donna Hird, R.N., M.S.N. was the first director of the Center and was responsible for handling all of the start-up issues. The facility follows ACSM guidelines and protocols for all operations.