Information: Maryhelen Vannier, author of books about recreation and education.

Maryhelen Vannier was born June 18, 1915, to William H. Vannier and Maude (Rockwood) Vannier.

She received her B.S. at Milliken University, M.S. at Drake University, and a Ph.D. at New York University.

Dr. Vannier retired from Southern Methodist University in 1981 after thirty-one years of service as a health, recreation, and physical education professor.

She received many honors, including: distinguished alumni award from Milliken University, elected as a fellow of the American Academy of Physical Education, and selected as "Outstanding Professors" at Southern Methodist University.

After retirement she served the Dallas community as a volunteer teaching physical education skills to blind and visually impaired children, and fitness classes for mature adults at the YMCA.

She was the author of twenty six textbooks, establishing her as a leading authority in the teaching of elementary physical education and recreation. She influenced the teaching of physical education for a forty year period.