History

Health and Human Performance has a "Storey'd" history at Stanford. We have been in existence since the opening of the University and have been through many evolutions to get to where we are today. As we continue our journey forward this page is dedicated to looking behind and paying homage to the important milestones that have shaped our work. 

Historical Timeline

1891

Stanford admits its first students and is one of the first University's to require physical activity courses to graduate. The Physical Training Department is established to oversee this curriculum, lead by Thomas D. Wood.

1892

Stanford and Thomas D. Wood establishes the first Bachelor of Arts in Physical Training and Hygiene.

1897

First student graduates from the BA program, Walter Wells Davis from Maynard, Iowa.

1929

The School of Hygiene and Physical Education was founded under the leadership of Dr. Thomas A. Storey. Dr. Storey also lead Athletics, health services, health programs, and the infirmary for the student body.

1931

A physical education teaching minor is created.

1936

Undergraduate degree created with specializations in dance, physiotherapy, hygiene, and general sports.

1937

Professional programs leading to a Masters and Ph.D. were added to the curriculum.

1940

The School of Hygiene and Physical Education became the School of Health.

1945

The School of Health dissolves and all Health Education programs and their faculty are transferred to the School of Education.

1967

The mandatory physical activity requirement dropped for all students. 12 units still allowable to count towards graduation.

1975

Women's Physical Education Department merges with the Men's Department to form the Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation (DAPER). Faculty and degrees still offered in partnership with the School of Education.

1983

The Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation confers its last standalone degree.

1984

Academic course listings move to the School of Humanities and Sciences (H & S). A specialization in dance offered as a Masters still housed in Education.

1996

Activity unit limit for graduation dropped to eight. The Dance Division merges with the Drama Department taking the with them the last academic degree program offered by DAPER. All remaining faculty and courses now managed through H & S.

2006

DAPER establishes the Office of Recreation and Wellness and a sub-unit, Outdoor Edcuation, to offer academic courses in outdoor leadership and adventure activities.

2011

Recreation and Wellness, in conjunction with the Provost's Office, establishes a Wellness Education curriculum requiring eight units to receive a certificate of completion.

2015

The Outdoor, Physical, and Wellness Education units merge to form the Health and Human Performance Division within the Office of Recreation and Wellness.

2017

HHP acquires the LifeWorks and Leadership Innovations programs from the Vice President of Undergraduate Education. HHP signs MOU with the Department of Medicine transferring academic sponsorship from H & S to the School of Medicine.

2018

HHP organizationally moves to the Vice Provost of Student Affairs to better align resources in conjunction with the broader university emphasis on student health and wellbeing, keeping academic sponsorship from the School of Medicine. 

The first Encina Gym built in 1915

Encina Gym Expansion 1920's

Thomas A. Storey, M.D. (Harvard), Ph.D. (Stanford)

Roble Gym 1931

Storey House which is named after our first schools founder.