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Retired associate professor emeritus at the University of Florida, Professor Dorothy Ann “Dot” Shields died November 30, 2018 at the age of 93.
Pictured above, Dorothy Ann “Dot” Shields stands (center) surrounded by colleagues from HHP.
A pioneer in aquatics research in the College of Human Health & Performance, Professor Shields is remembered for her commitment to education in the field.
“In the mid-80’s, I had Professor Shields for an aquatics teaching methods course,” said Dan Connaughton, HHP associate dean. “I learned a lot from her and adopted many of her strategies when I later taught swimming as a graduate assistant.”
Shields taught in the Indiana public schools and Rutgers University before arriving in Gainesville. Beginning in 1962, Shields’ 37 year career in teaching at the University of Florida oversaw several advancements in the aquatics field. She developed an aquatics minor and also introduced several professional teaching courses in the field.
Shields was chairwoman of the Aquatics Council of the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. She received numerous awards honoring her commitment to the study of aquatics, including the council’s highest honor, the Meritorious Award.
During the course of her academic career, she served as an instructor for the American Red Cross for 50 years and published several articles in state and national journals.
“She was a caring teacher, professional, very passionate, a stickler for details, and knew how to, tactfully, put a former lifeguard/swimmer [me] in his place,” Connaughton said.
In lieu of flowers, the Shields family requests that donors support the Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County, 1104 Big 4 Arch Rd, Crawfordsville, IN 47933.