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H. Douglas Sessoms
1931 - 2008
Inducted October 2023 |
"Our field would not have emerged as robustly or with the kind of growth it has without the unswerving commitment, generosity, and dedication of Dr. H. Douglas Sessoms. He is truly a major force in the field." |
For over four decades, Dr. H. Douglas “Doug” Sessoms exemplified extraordinary, lasting, significant, and passionate leadership and service to the profession of recreation and parks. As a visionary, Doug helped build institutions that define our profession today. His early involvement in the profession helped establish the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) and facilitated the establishment of the Society of Park and Recreation Educators as a branch of NRPA to build strong connections between universities and practice. He also helped develop formal accreditation of professional preparation in park and recreation degree programs, which Dr. Tony Mobley identified as “one of the most important developments for colleges and universities at that time” and today. Wholly embodying NRPA and AAPRA’s missions of public good/ quality of life for all people, Doug brought awareness to needs/rights for recreation and leisure of underserved populations (e.g., immigrants, homeless, special needs, elderly, people of color) to potential recreation service providers.
Of note, his contributions extended beyond enhancing practice to preserving the profession’s history by establishing the Academy of Leisure Sciences historian position and writing NRPA’s history of professional preparation in parks and recreation. Dean Tice, former Executive Director of NRPA, stated that few people were better qualified than Doug to detail this history.
Doug’s impacts exist today through academic accreditation; NRPA and AAPRA’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice; and in the myriads of students, colleagues, practitioners, and public officials who carry on his work as professional leaders, advocates, and mentors in their own rights today.