Recreation, tourism and events faculty member Rosemary Prince was honored Aug. 31 with the Florida Recreation and Park Association’s Distinguished Service Award.

The Florida Recreation and Park Association State Awards Program is designed to recognize and celebrate the individuals and organizations that contribute to the success and value of parks and recreation in Florida. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes those who have provided special or unusual service to the association or have made significant contributions to advancing the parks and recreation profession.

Prince, who has been a faculty member at Florida State since 2006, has worked with FRPA to promote parks and recreation services for youth as an alternative for alcohol and drug use. As a private consultant, she has provided anti-bullying, special event and marketing training. She also was a founding staff member of the non-profit Keep Florida Beautiful, which offered opportunities to local citizens through the statewide Adopt-A-Shore program.

Prince has presented at FRPA conferences several times since 2002 and was a faculty member for the association’s Emerging Leaders Institute in February 2016. She has been a member of the Abrahams Academy Curriculum Planning Committee, was the northern region director for professional development, and has served as a trustee, president and secretary for the FRPA Foundation.

“It is an honor to receive this award particularly when I view the list of recipients from previous years, many of whom I looked to as mentors as a young professional,” Prince said. “The opportunities that have been provided to me throughout my career due to my involvement in FRPA have allowed me to grow professionally and personally. This was accomplished through the excellent education and training, and the leadership development through committee and board service provided through membership in the Association.”

“We have exceptional programs at FSU Panama City,” FSU Panama City Interim Dean Randy Hanna said. “Award-winning faculty, such as Rosemary Prince, are a reflection of the quality of their programs and the institution they serve.”