Dr. J.O. Spengler is Professor and Head of the Department of Health Promotion & Community Health Sciences at Texas A&M University. He holds a BS degree from Wake Forest University, a law degree (JD) from the University of Toledo, and PhD from Indiana University.
He is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grantee and American Heart Association Volunteer, whose research has informed policy at the state and national level to improve community health through physical activity. His work has been published in over seventy articles and four books, and has informed the work of the Aspen Institute’s Project Play.
Honors include selection as a University of Florida Research Foundation Professor in recognition of outstanding research and scholarly achievements, selection as an American Heart Association Writing Group member for a policy statement on sharing physical activity spaces, election to President of the Sport and Recreation Law Association, and recipient of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame, Fame for Fitness Award for his work on childhood obesity prevention.
Dr. Spengler has also been recognized in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and was twice named the University of Florida College of Health and Human Performance Teacher of the Year. He is a former competitive tennis player and teacher/coach, and life long active sport participant.