Leaders: (NZ Recreation & Tourism in Middle-earth)

Dr. Raymond Poff - Professor, Recreation Administration

Dr. Poff earned a Ph.D. in Leisure Behavior from Indiana University (IU), M.S. in Recreation (IU), and B.S. in Recreation Management and Youth Leadership from Brigham Young University (BYU). Prior to an academic career, Dr. Poff worked with outdoor recreation programs at BYU and IU. He is a former whitewater rafting guide and former certified whitewater kayaking instructor. Dr. Poff has traveled abroad in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, England, France, Australia, New Zealand, and the Bahamas.

He designed and leads the WKU Fly Fishing Montana program which includes an academic (for credit) course for students and a non-credit program for the general public. He's led this program in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, plus a high school version of the program in 2016 and 2017.

He first visited the south island of New Zealand in 2010 and started identifying potential locations and activities which would create a favorable environment for studying New Zealand's Commercial Recreation and Tourism industry. While there, and via subsequent communications with New Zealand-based recreation educators and professionals, Dr. Poff has made several contacts in New Zealand. Dr. Poff conducted a pre-course assessment trip in Oct 2013 and visited several additional locations for this course, met with many key individuals, investigated lodging and activity options, and examined general logistics. Dr. Poff subsequently led this program in 2016 and 2018 with ten students on each program and Clinton Lewis as the Assistant Trip Leader.

 

Clinton Lewis - University Photographer

Clinton Lewis has had several recent international travel experiences with WKU faculty, staff, and students in China, Peru and Costa Rica as the university photographer. His recreation skills, understanding of the profession, and travel experience will be useful as an assistant leader on a course dealing with recreation and tourism.

Clinton is passionate about outdoor activities such as: climbing (boulder / sport / mountain), backpacking, hiking, kayaking, scuba diving, and mountain biking.

Dr. Raymond Poff

• Professor, Recreation Administration
• Program Leader

 

 

Clinton Lewis

• University Photographer
• Assistant Trip Leader