Dr. Kirpal Mahal, professor of physical education at Tusculum College, has received a service award from the International Relations Council of the American Association for Active Lifestyles and Fitness.

Dr. Mahal, who is a native of India, was honored with the 2003 Distinguished Service Award from the council during the annual convention of the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (HPERD), held April 2-6 in Philadelphia. Dr. Mahal was also one of five nominees for one of the top awards given at the convention.

The American Association for Active Lifestyles and Fitness is one of the organizations that comprises the alliance. The American Alliance for HPERD is the largest organization of professionals supporting and assisting those involved in physical education, leisure, fitness, dance, health promotion, and education and all specialties related to achieving a healthy lifestyle.

The award was a surprise for Dr. Mahal, and although the recognition is appreciated, it is not a priority for him. Service to others, whether through a professional organization, at the college teaching students, or in the community, is much more important than awards, he said.

Ten Tusculum College students accompanied Dr. Mahal to the convention. Mary Shepherd, a sophomore from Church Hill, assisted Dr. Mahal in the presentation about yoga he made during the convention.

Dr. Mahal made a presentation about yoga at the 2002 convention that was such a success he was asked to make a similar presentation in this year's event. He made a commitment to make the presentation during the 2003 convention, but later in the year, cancer in one of his legs resulted in that leg having to be amputated. However, he continued to make plans to fulfill his commitment with Shepherd taking the role of demonstrating the skills covered in the presentation.

Hundreds of physical education professionals attended this year's presentation, and Dr. Mahal commended Shepherd for her poise as a first-time presenter in front of a standing-room only crowd. More than 8,000 professionals attend the convention, not only from across the U.S., but from other countries as well.

The Tusculum students attended presentations in areas of their interest. Dr. Mahal noted that the students chose to attend different presentations, giving them distinct perspectives of the discipline. The Tusculum students represented the college well, and others at the convention commented on their good behavior, he said. Since attending the convention, Dr. Mahal noted that the students have taken their academic work more seriously.

Dr. Mahal has attended the alliance's national conventions since 1974. He has served on the International Relations Council of the American Association for Active Lifestyles and Fitness for about 15 years, and is also active in the Ethnic Minority Council of the organization. He has also been recently appointed as chairperson of the Awards and Nominations Committee by the president association. He will serve a two-year term.

Since coming to America 30 years ago, Dr. Mahal has taught physical education, and he has been a member of the Tusculum faculty since 1994. He is a native of India and of the Sikh religion with his intricately wrapped turban and beard part of the Sikh religious dress.