Bischoff plans summer retirement

by Mark McGowan

Judith Bischoff, longtime chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, will retire this summer. Bischoff, who first came to NIU in 1973 as a temporary member of the faculty in the women's physical education department, has served three terms as chair and one year as acting chair. "After 13 years, it's time to hand the reins over to someone else," Bischoff said. "Everything just fell in place to say, `It's time.' " Her shadow will loom large.

The Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education invites the NIU community to a retirement reception for Judith Bischoff from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, in the Holmes Student Center Regency Room. Direct any personal notes for Bischoff's memory book to Vicky Vosburgh in Anderson Hall room 222.

During her years at NIU, the passage of Title IX legislation began to equalize athletic opportunities for men and women. In 1976, a co-ed Department of Physical Education emerged. Faculty members who previously carried extra coaching duties chose to focus on teaching, and began to pay more attention to research. Both undergraduate and graduate programs were strengthened because of the merger.

"Our program has really grown over the last several years," Bischoff said. "We have a diverse faculty committed to teaching and to students, in preparing students in teacher education and for careers in fitness, such as wellness and cardiac rehab, and in athletic training. There is a high demand in all of our programs."

Meanwhile, the call for kinesiology and physical education graduates is growing.

"We're in a very good position for what's needed in the coming years," she said. "There's a very high demand for physical education teachers with retirements in public schools and the number of schools expanding," she added. "And our children aren't as fit as they should be. The obesity level is increasing among our youngsters. Recess just doesn't do it."

Bischoff's parents instilled her love of physical activity.

Both her late father, Edward, and her mother, Thelma, now 92, were active adults. Her father loved fishing, rowing, casting and football. Her mother played centerball, a form of basketball. Both golfed.

"They were influential," she said. "When I got to high school, I thought, `Being involved in physical activity and teaching looks like something I might want to do the rest of my life.' "

She earned a bachelor's degree in health and physical education from the University of Cincinnati, where she grew up, and a master's degree in recreation from Indiana University.

She then taught for two years at Battle Creek Central High School during a time when she and her colleagues often toured the Kellogg's and Post cereal plants simply for the free boxes of cereal distributed at the end. When an opportunity arose at Drake University, she jumped at the chance — and never looked back.

The flexibility offered in higher education appealed to her, and she came to NIU in 1973. After three years, she left for the University of Michigan, where in 1979 she earned her Ph.D. in curriculum/instruction in physical education and returned to DeKalb.

Her years at NIU include service to the University Council, for which she served as executive secretary during the beginnings of the Faculty Senate. Faculty in the department have followed her lead, representing Kinesiology and Physical Education in the university's shared governance system.

She also served as editor of the Chronicle of Physical Education in Higher Education and, in 1997, won the Wilma D. Stricklin Award for the Enhancement of the Climate for Women on Campus. She also received the Outstanding Administration Award from the National Association of Physical Education in Higher Education (NAPEHE).

Other professional obligations, such as the NAPEHE presidency and service to the National Council on Accreditation of Teacher Education, will continue into retirement.

What else retirement has in store is somewhat unknown. Because she enjoys living in an university community, she will remain in DeKalb County.

"I'm not doing a lot of planning," Bischoff said. "I want to read the Trib the morning it comes, and not six days later. I'll golf. I currently serve on the Kishwaukee Habitat for Humanity board and will remain active in the First Congregational Church."

She most will miss the people of NIU and her department.

"I've met a lot of people, and I've thoroughly enjoyed it," she said. "I'll miss the daily interaction, which was all different, and the challenges of solving problems and how to have the best department we can. I owe a lot to NIU for the many opportunities afforded me."