The Madison Way

Steve Bobbitt is presented with JMU’s All Together One award

University Recreation
 
All Together One Steve
UREC's All Together One award recipients (left to right) Lorie Miller (2018), Kristin Gibson (2019), Eric Nickel (2011), Steve Bobbitt (2019), and Donnie Mix (2009). Not pictured Julie Wallace Carr (2006). Photo by: Tristan Lorei, JMU Technology & Design.


Written by Natalie Lavery ('19)


Steve Bobbitt, the Associate Director for Programming at James Madison University Recreation, is a recipient of a prestigious JMU award. The “All Together One” award is presented by Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honors Society, and honors members of the JMU community to embody and promote the university’s welcoming spirit.


Steve Bobbitt has been a part of the JMU community since 2000, starting at University Recreation (UREC) as the Coordinator for Outdoor Adventure, eventually taking his current role in 2007. Steve currently leads five main programming units at UREC, supervises a group of 10 professional staff members, and six graduate assistants.


Steve places a strong emphasis on creating meaningful learning outcomes for every program UREC produces to promote lasting effects. He supports UREC’s efforts to become involved on campus, joins task forces, committees, and volunteers across campus. Steve has been a member of the JMU Assessment Council, Campus Coalition for Alcohol Abuse, Campus Accessibility Committee, Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, Madipalooza Planning Committee, and many more.


Steve works to make a strong and meaningful connection with every member of the UREC team and the JMU community. With a JMU career spanning nearly two decades, Steve has made a lasting impact because of his thoughtful and upbeat attitude towards his work and the overall JMU mission.


Five of his past students, Amanda (Saccone) Cox (‘13, ‘16), Hannah (Houston) Covington (‘16), Maggie (Lajza) Fitzsimmons (‘16), Heather Gately (‘13, ‘15), and Shannon Tumelty (‘14, ‘16), speak to the lasting impact he has had on them.

Steve Bobbitt
“Steve has been an integral part in our professional careers since our early beginnings at UREC,” they said.  “While working at UREC as Graduate Assistants for University Recreation, Steve consistently inspired us to follow our hearts and trust our instincts. Steve Bobbitt is a dedicated and supportive mentor that truly takes the time to get to know the people he works with …  Despite the overwhelming amount of work that Steve puts in to University Recreation, he consistently finds ways to help his co-workers while being part of the greater JMU community.”


One of his current students, Emma Kirwan ('17, '20), says "I have had the privilege of working with Steve since Fall 2018 and I cannot put into words the impact he has had on my development as a student and as a professional. Steve has invested his time into helping me find success and has provided me with ample learning opportunities within campus recreation. He has such enthusiasm for the field, for each student he encounters, and for the continued growth of his coworkers. He possesses characteristics of a heart-centered leader, one who has compassion to lead others with humility.”


Steve not only supports his team in the office, but is someone who builds community by making others feel comfortable as soon as they enter the room.


“Whether he is in UREC, working with groups across campus or catching up with past students and professionals, Steve’s interactions consistently define ‘all together one,’” Mary Healey, the Coordinator for Group Exercise at University Recreation, said.

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Published: Thursday, April 11, 2019

Last Updated: Thursday, November 2, 2023

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