Recreation Students to Go Overseas for Summer Military Internships

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Susan McLeod (left) and Brittany Peters.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Two recreation majors recently learned they will spend the summer on overseas U.S. military bases: Brittany Peters in South Korea and Susan McLeod in Japan.

The students won internships through the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Division of the U.S. Navy. The division provides recreational and leisure programs to Navy personnel in 24 states and 13 countries.

Both students are already involved in the recreation field to supplement their classroom learning and were interested in travel abroad, according to their advisers. Peters has been working on special events for the Fayetteville Town Center and Chamber of Commerce, and McLeod works with the UA intramural and recreational sports program, the Fayetteville parks and recreation division and Lake Wedington programs.

McLeod, the daughter of James and Janice McLeod of Springfield, Mo., leaves May 16 for Japan just days after she will walk at commencement ceremonies. She will receive a final 9 hours of credit for the internship. McLeod will earn a bachelor’s degree in recreation with an emphasis on community sports. She would like to work in a city park and recreation department and is also considering pursing a master’s degree in campus or military recreation. The experience on the military base could influence her decision on post-graduate work.

“I hope to have the opportunity to design recreational programs,” she said. “I think that’s one of my strong suits. Military recreation programs serve a unique group of people.”

Peters, the daughter of Ormond and Patricia Peters of Russellville, Ark., is in her first semester as a senior. She is seeking a bachelor’s degree in recreation with an emphasis on children and family and would like to work in special events or recreational programming after graduation. The internship will give her the chance to learn about those areas in a formal setting as she works with youth and children’s programs.

Merry Moiseichik, associate professor and a faculty adviser in the recreation department, said she expects the students to do well: "Brittany and Susan have shown great maturity and self-motivation. They are independent thinkers with a working knowledge of the recreation field. They will provide wonderful support services for the morale of our men and women serving abroad."