MELISSA GIAIMO
Staff Writer
Ever wonder how the shoulder, elbow and wrist work together in a penalty throw in water polo? Perhaps, the speed fluctuations while throwing a hammer? Or maybe, the effects of wind and altitude on 100-meter sprinters?
Dr. Michael Feltner, chair of the Natural Science Division and professor of sports medicine at Pepperdine, spends his career asking these types of questions. Feltner’s two main fields of study are sports medicine, the science of movement, and biomechanics, the engineering and physics behind movement.
This year marks the completion of 18 years of teaching at Pepperdine, as well as his first year as division chair.
Ever since Feltner arrived in August, 1988, as a visiting professor in sports medicine, he has known that Pepperdine was the “right place,” Feltner said.
The quality of the students and faculty at Pepperdine, the university’s Christian identity and strong student focus keeps him coming back, Feltner said.
“He loves what he does and in particular, he is really enjoying this new challenge he has as division chair,” said Michele LeBlanc, Feltner’s wife and chair of the Exercise Science and Sports Medicine Department at California Lutheran University.
Although his new administrative role means less teaching, Feltner is enjoying leading the students and teachers in the division he calls home.
“I know that the Natural Science Division is just an incredible division,” said Feltner. “To work in a place with people you respect and are humbled by their abilities is just amazing.”
Feltner has impressed teachers and students alike with his leadership and smooth transition into the role as chair.
“He’s an expert in his discipline but he’s also an incredible administrator,” said Assistant Professor of Sports Medicine Dr. Cooker Perkins. “It’s such a rarity to find both aspects to be so superior.”
Some students believe the organization he shows as an administrator is a reflection of his style in the classroom.
“He takes the organization he has inside the classroom and applies it,” said Neal Washburn, a senior and student in Feltner’s biomechanics of human movement class.
As chair, Feltner is working hard to ensure that the division is as progressive as possible.
“He has a lot of vision,” said Dr. Priscilla MacRae, a professor in sports medicine who helped recruit Feltner to Pepperdine back in 1988.
MacRae believes his financial support of faculty members to attend conferences and buy necessary equipment keeps the division current. Under Feltner’s leadership, Pepperdine will be upgrading facilities in the Keck Science Center in the next few years.
Feltner’s top concern is the students. Pepperdine’s student-first, education focused approach is one of the most distinguishing traits of the university, Feltner said.
Students recognize the importance he places on their education.
“When he tells us he has office hours, his time is devoted to us,” said Zach Love, a senior and student in Feltner’s biomechanics of human movement class.
Colleagues and students are also aware that Feltner is truly an expert in his field. He is highly regarded nationally as a teacher, researcher and editor of academic journals. Particularly of note within the biomechanical community was his work, the first of its kind, which linked upper body movement with lower body forces, known as inter-segmental dynamic research.
Feltner is so brilliant that “sometimes it is hard for him to get down on our level,” Love said. “He makes [subject material] easier than it is.”
Professors in other disciplines also praise Feltner because of the support he gives to research outside his discipline sports medicine.
Dr. Joe Fritsch, an assistant chemistry professor, is to receive a relocated and newly remodeled lab.
And even those outside of the Natural Science Division feel Feltner’s support.
“He is great at facilitating overall the needs of my research so that I can have access to the equipment I need,” said Dr. Michael Folkerts, an assistant professor of psychology in the Social Science Division, whose research involves a biological component.
Feltner said his faith is extremely important to him.
“Faith is an entire world view that there are things bigger than you,” Feltner said. “It’s an awareness of God’s presence in life.”
He does not see a clash between faith and science.
“The world we live in is God’s creation, and yet he has given us tools to better understand that,” Feltner said. “Belief in God and his sovereignty over the world and belief in scientific methods are not conflicting.”
He is grateful that Pepperdine allows faith and science to thrive.
“It’s rare to find a place where you don’t have to hide your faith,” Feltner said.
Students say Feltner achieves a healthy balance of faith and science in the classroom.
“He doesn’t push his faith on his students,” Love said. “[But] I think everybody would know that he is a Christian and has faith.”
His convictions about his faith aids his reputation as a man of high character and afford him credibility among his colleagues.
“He is a real person of integrity,” said MacRae.
Feltner is currently recruiting two or three students to assist him in researching various types of landing styles and their correlation with knee injuries. He hopes to use student athletes as volunteers.
05-18-2007