April 8, 2004

JOYCE H. HOYLE RECEIVES THE HAROLD D. MEYER PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD

National Recreation and Park Association

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) presented the Harold D. Meyer Professional Excellence Award to Joyce Hasty Hoyle, Director of Recreation Services for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The award was presented at the NRPA Southern Regional Conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, March 29, 2004.

The award is presented to honor and recognize a professional that has made outstanding contributions to the parks and recreation profession in the place they work and through dedicated service on a regional and national level.

Ms. Hoyle is a certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) and has a career that spans over 38 years where significant contributions have been made in the states of North Carolina and Tennessee. She has served on the board of both NRPA and the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association (TRPA) and is a past recipient of the TRPA’s Fellow Award, the highest honor that a parks and recreation professional can receive on a state level.

She has authored numerous articles and publications and created several trends, policies and practices used by parks and recreation practitioners in the field today. Currently, she is on the Board of Director’s of the University of Georgia, Athens, Executive Development School for Parks and Recreation.

Mr. David Lose, NRPA Chair, congratulated Ms. Hoyle on her distinguished achievements in the field, especially the impact she has had as a leader in the State of Tennessee. NRPA is a national professional society organized to unite in one association all those interested in the recreation and parks movement. "We are fortunate to have leaders such as Joyce to serve and enhance the awareness, focus and effectiveness of parks and recreation as it contributes to improving our quality of life."

In accepting the award, Ms. Hoyle expressed her appreciation for being recognized with such a distinguished group of professionals. She stated that she was honored to receive the award, but more humbled that it was named for Dr. Meyer, her long-time professor mentor.

"The field has grown over the years from a insignificant component of the infrastructure to a major force in the state’s quality of life, tourism and the economy," Hoyle said. "Natural, cultural and historic areas in Tennessee are amongst the nation’s best. I am proud to be on the State of Tennessee team in developing a model parks and recreation delivery system, seamless by all levels of governments to meet the needs of our citizens."

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