Join Us

Friday, April 26, 2024

Pastides Alumni Center
900 Senate Street
Columbia, SC

The unexpected passing of Distinguished Professor Emeritus Steven N. Blair last month has had a widespread impact on Arnold School faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends. A member of both the Department of Exercise Science and the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, his pioneering work in the field of exercise epidemiology reached far beyond the University of South Carolina and spanned six decades. However, the prolific Blair accomplished more than most could in a century-long career, resulting in many of the highest honors in the fields of kinesiology and public health.

Read more about Steve's legacy

Time	Event
8:00 – 8:30	Registration
8:30 - 9:00	Welcome by Russell Pate, Thomas Chandler, Donna Arnett
9:00 – 9:45	Blair Memorial - Russell Pate, Chair Claude Bouchard - “The life and momentous legacy of Steven N. Blair”
10:00 – 11:00	Session 2 - Sara Wilcox, Chair John Jakicic - “Weight loss vs. obesity treatment: repositioning physical activity for wholistic health” Robert Ross - “Variability in cardiorespiratory fitness response to guideline exercise”
11:00 – 12:00	Session 3 - NiCole Keith, Chair I-Min Lee - “Should new data from fitness trackers alter advice on much (or how little) physical activity to prescribe?” Jennifer Trilk - "The rationale for Lifestyle Medicine training in medical education"
12:00 – 1:30	Break
1:30 – 2:30	Session 4 - Larry Durstine, Chair Michael LaMonte - “Physical activity and health in aging women: Findings from the Women’s Health Initiative” Gregory Hand - “Clinical studies in weight management: Complexity of the human energy system”
2:30-3:30	Session 5 - Mark Sarzynski, Chair Chip Lavie - “Exercise is Medicine – emphasis on efficacy, dosing and adverse effects/toxicity” James Skinner - “Be more active and less inactive. Both are important.”
3:30 – 4:30	Session 6 - Mei Sui, Chair DC Lee - “What type of exercise is best for health?” Leanna Ross - “Exercise training for long-term resilience: Legacy effects in the STRRIDE trials” Robin Shook - “Physical activity, appetite, and energy balance”
4:30	Final Comments - Shawn Arent

The event will take place in person, with a livestream available on the day of the event for those wishing to attend virtually.

There is no cost for the event, but we ask that you please register to attend in person or virtually:
Register Here

Celebrating the legacy of Steven N. Blair, B.A., M.S., M.S., P.E.D., Distinguished Professor Emeritus

In 2006, Dr. Blair established The Steve Blair Physical Activity Fund in the Department of Exercise Science. As a passionate teacher and mentor, Dr. Blair’s intention was to help support funding for Ph.D students, postdoctoral scholars, physical activity programming, research projects and innovative pilot studies. Thanks to Dr. Blair’s vision and generosity, this fund continues to play an important role in supporting our students and helping to make important educational opportunities like The Blair Symposium possible. While there will not be any fees charged for attendance, contributions to The Steve Blair Physical Activity Fund – at any level – are welcomed and sincerely appreciated.