Craig Morrison, physical education professor and department chair at Southern Utah University, has been named chair of Western’s kinesiology (formerly called physical education) department by College of Education and Human Services Dean Bonnie Smith-Skripps.

Morrison, who has served as department chair at Southern Utah since 2001, has been a member of the PE faculty at the school for 14 years. He replaces Donna Phillips, who retired after 37 years at Western. Morrison has taught such courses as motor-learning, exercise physiology, kinesiology, first aid, swimming and fitness. Morrison has also served as a visiting academic at the The University of Queensland (Australia) and was an assistant professor of physical education at Oklahoma State University. He has also been a faculty member at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Ballarat College of Advanced Education, Laurel School and the University of Wyoming. Morrison has also worked as a high school teacher in Australia.

Morrison has authored and co-authored several articles for professional publications and presented at many professional meetings. He has received the Distinguished Faculty of the Year Award and has received faculty writing awards while at Southern Utah. Morrison has also developed curriculum and instruction materials at a variety of institutions. He has coached men’s and women’s volleyball, women’s softball and cross country.

Morrison received his bachelor’s degree from the University of New Brunswick, his master’s degree from Springfield College (MA) and his doctorate from Brigham Young University.