By Kristen Mitchell
Beverly Westerman, Ed.D. ‘99, an associate professor in the Milken Institute School of Public Health’s Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, has been appointed George Washington University’s new Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR).
In her new role, Dr. Westerman will champion academic success and promote the welfare of student-athletes.
Dr. Westerman, who also serves as Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences vice chair for undergraduate studies, will serve as the Faculty Athletics Representative through June 2022. She has been affiliated with GW for more than three decades as a clinician, educator and student. Dr. Westerman is hopeful her range of experience makes her well positioned to advocate for student-athletes and faculty.
“Our student-athletes are some of our best and brightest,” Dr. Westerman said. “I’m hoping that I can be a good representative to bring that out even more and make sure faculty understand the rigors of being a student-athlete.”
“Juggling heavy academic loads with the heavy travel season and practice times and everything else, it’s daunting when you look at the real lives of student-athletes and what they go through. Many of them excel at both aspects extremely well.”
Dr. Westerman will represent the faculty’s concerns about the Department of Athletics and Recreation and GW’s 27 varsity programs and help ensure the centrality of academics for student-athletes. She will work to make sure students have an environment where they can successfully complete their degree programs and also play a role in overseeing NCAA, Atlantic 10, and other conference compliance efforts.
She previously served as head athletic trainer for GW athletes, where she coordinated all aspects of student-athlete health care. While doing this, she taught as an adjunct faculty member and pursued a doctorate degree. She was appointed to the Milken SPH faculty in 1999, and she currently leads the undergraduate exercise science program.
As head athletic trainer, Dr. Westerman spent a lot of time working with individual teams and athletes. She enjoyed seeing how student-athletes grew from first-year students to graduates and has kept in touch with many of them throughout their professional careers.
Tanya Vogel, director of Athletics and Recreation, said Dr. Westerman’s deep understanding of athletics at GW make her uniquely positioned to lead in her new role.
“Dr. Westerman’s history with GW’s Department of Athletics is filled with stories of Sweet Sixteens, Elite 8s and A-10 Championships," Ms. Vogel said. "That being said, I can personally attest to her primary focus being on the student-athlete experience. She greeted me as an 18 year old with a recently repaired ACL and helped me navigate my first year here at GW, both on and off the field.
“I look forward to our work together as we help build our department to be a visible display of discipline and excellence for our esteemed university.”
Dr. Westerman was nominated by her colleagues and appointed by President Thomas LeBlanc to succeed Craig Linebaugh as Faculty Athletic Representative. Dr. Linebaugh, who served in the role for 13 years, has been a critical resource for Dr. Westerman as she adjusts to the new position.
“Hopefully we can continue to strive for excellence at all levels at the university,” she said. “Athletic excellence and excellence in the classroom.”
