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David Wittenburg '00 May 1, 2018 9:14 AM updated: May 1, 2018 9:16 AM

http://news.utep.edu/utep-kinesiology-chair-leaves-lasting-impression/

UTEP Kinesiology Chair Leaves Lasting Impression
By Laura L. Acosta

UTEP News Service

David Wittenburg, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Kinesiology in UTEP’s College of Health Sciences, whose distinguished leadership helped increase enrollment in the graduate and undergraduate programs, died Monday, Oct. 26, 2015. He was 53.

“We were very fortunate to attract Dr. David Wittenburg to our faculty as the chair of the Department of Kinesiology in the fall of 2012,” said College of Health Sciences Dean Kathleen Curtis, Ph.D. “His strong experience base, outgoing personality and collegiality were unmatched; he brought cohesion to the department and built relationships across the University. He will be sorely missed by all of us in the College of Health Sciences and many others across the University and community.”

David Wittenburg, Ph.D.
David Wittenburg, Ph.D.
During Wittenburg’s tenure at UTEP, enrollment in the kinesiology program increased 30 percent from 700 to over 900 students, Curtis said.

Wittenburg received his Ph.D. in kinesiology from Texas A&M University in 2000.

He held faculty appointments at the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University and The University of Texas at Brownsville before arriving at UTEP three years ago.

George King, Ph.D., associate dean in the College of Health Sciences, said Wittenburg’s leadership helped define the future direction of UTEP’s kinesiology program.

“Dr. Wittenburg’s experience with academic program credentialing, program development, and work within the public school system allowed him to contribute to all aspects of the department and provided a unique perspective toward revising the kinesiology curriculum,” said King, a kinesiology associate professor.

Described by students and colleagues as a kind, approachable person who was easy to talk to, Wittenburg will also be remembered for the encouragement and support he offered his students and fellow faculty members.

A native of Lometa, Texas, Wittenburg began his academic career as a physical education teacher and coach with the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas, in 1985. While teaching in the public schools, Wittenburg developed an interest in studying the cardiovascular health of children.

His recent research interests focused on cardiovascular disease and health and fitness in Mexican-American college-aged males and females.

Wittenburg’s work was presented at the American College of Sports Medicine, International Obesity Conference and Frontiers of Cardiology.

He was a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Wittenburg is survived by his wife, Cynthia; sons, Caleb, Joshua, and Matthew; daughters, Kristen Bingham and Tara Garnett; and grandsons Jackman Garnett and Ellis Bingham.

The College of Health Sciences will celebrate Wittenburg’s time at UTEP during a special gathering at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at the Health Sciences and Nursing Building’s terrace located on the second floor.

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