Dr. William F. Higelmire has a Doctor of Education degree with a major in Therapeutic Recreation.  He has over 25 years of experience as a therapist, administrator and educator.   Dr. Higelmire has served on a variety of professional association boards and committees including: NTRS (National Therapeutic Recreation Society) Internship and Fieldwork Committee for the past six years; NTRS Ethics Committee; NTRS Membership Committee; NTRS Reimbursement Committee; American Association for Leisure and Recreation liaison to ATRA and NCTRC; and Illinois State Representative, SRAC State Regional Advisory Council.  He is chair of the Charleston Park and Recreation Foundation Board and is a peer reviewer of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation: Special Projects.  His publication efforts have centered on camping for individuals with disabilities and grant writing.  He has also given numerous conference presentations on these topics over the past 16 years. Currently, he serves as Chair of the Department of Recreation Administration at Eastern Illinois University and the Great Lakes Region Director for NTRS.