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ESG 50 Anniversary Fellow Profile
JAMES F. MCKENZIE

James F. McKenzie, PhD, MPH, MCHES, FAAHE

Professor Emeritus
Dept. of Physiology & Health Science

Ball State University

Dr. McKenzie received a BS and MEd from Bowling to serve as the National Executive Secretary-Treasurer. I
Green State University, a PhD in Health Education at The held that appointed position until 2000. Though not stated
Ohio State University, and a MPH at the University of anywhere, it has been the tradition of ESG to have the
Michigan. Prior to his retirement, his research areas Secretary-Treasurer of ESG be a full-time faculty member
included health promotion planning, patient education, and at BSU because the National Office of ESG is at BSU. BSU
community health. is also the home of the Alpha Chapter of ESG. By doing
so, the University provides the Honorary with a number of
How did your involvement with your local Eta Sigma different benefits including-- allowing the Executive
Gamma begin? Director of ESG to be a BSU employee, providing office
space for the National Office, and providing accounting
While working as a faculty member at Bowling Green State services, and discounted prices on printing.
University (BGSU), I became aware of Eta Sigma Gamma
(ESG) through professional friends I had at Ball State Please describe your most meaningful contribution –
University (BSU), home of the National Office of ESG. I your legacy so to speak - to ESG.
believed in the mission of ESG and thought it would be
good to start a chapter at BGSU. I made an appointment I believe my most meaningful contribution to ESG is my
with Dr. Warren Schaller, Chairperson of the Department service to the organization. Much of it is described above,
of Physiology and Health Science at BSU and one of the here are the specifics: National Executive
founders of ESG. After that meeting I began the process to Secretary/Treasurer, 1991-2000; Sponsor of the Beta
start a chapter of ESG at BGSU. The Beta Gamma Chapter Gamma Chapter, 1981-1987; At-large Member of National
of ESG was install at BGSU by Dr. Herb Jones, National Executive Committee, 1988-90; Chair, National
Executive Secretary/Treasurer of ESG in Spring 1981. The Documents Committee, 1989-1993; Sponsor of the Alpha
day the Beta Gamma Chapter was installed is the day I Chapter, 1994-1996; Editorial Associate for The Health
became a member of ESG. I served as the Sponsor of the Educator: The Journal of Eta Sigma Gamma, 1981-1986,
Beta Gamma Chapter from 1981 until 1987 when I left 2003-2006, 2011-2013.
BGSU for a new job.
Which one thing do you wish you had done differently?
What led to your becoming involved in national-level
leadership of ESG? There is nothing I would have changed.
In 1988 while working as a faculty member at Mankato Whom were you most influenced by professionally?
State University, I was elected to a three year term as an at- How? Why?
large member to the National Executive Committee of
ESG. In 1989 I was named the Chairperson of the My advisors and mentors over the years. They included Dr.
Department of Physiology and Health Science at BSU. Terry Parsons (BGSU), Dr. Mary Beyrer (The Ohio State
Upon the retirement of Dr. Herb Jones in 1991, I was asked University), and Drs. Marshall Becker, Noreen Clark, and
Irwin (Rusty) Rosenstock (University of Michigan). Each

THE HEALTH EDUCATION MONOGRAPH SERIES, Volume 34, Number 1, 2017 21