From the department of exercise science and athletic training at Manchester University

Department Chair Welcome

Jeff Beer
Jeff Beer
Department Chair
Professor of
Exercise Science

A new year is here after nearly a full summer post pandemic. I am extremely excited to be back on campus and teaching and particularly happy to have two newer faculty members supporting this wonderful department. 

Katherine Matutes, assistant professor of nutrition sciences, is back for her second year at MU. Her ability to teach and work with students is unmatched and valuable to our growth. The new Nutrition Sciences major and the food lab are remarkable and will undoubtedly grow .

Seth Clark, assistant professor of exercise science, is our newest hire. He comes to us from the athletics world with a wealth of both academic and professional experience in strength and conditioning. I am excited for his ability to work with our students in a practical as well as didactic settings. We have purchased new human performance technology through Perch – a velocity based training device that is state of the art and not seen in many small universities. I have always had the mindset if we want to evolve our students and give them the best education, we need great teachers and great equipment.

We’re forming valuable relationships with our graduate programs in athletic training and nutrition and nutrigenomics and our new Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. These relationships are vital to our students and their success in the health professions and real world. Thank you for your support and you’re always welcome back to campus for a visit. We love to see our alumni come back to share stories and experiences with our students as speakers and friends. Have a great fall, and I will see you at the end of the year with our next newsletter.

Seth Clark, Assistant Professor of Human Performance

SethClark-2022Seth Clark joins us as the assistant professor of exercise science, specializing in human performance. Seth is a Fort Wayne resident originally hired at Manchester as an assistant basketball coach. Shortly into his tenure, he added roles as adjunct professor of human performance and strength and conditioning coach. Prior to Manchester, Seth was the strength and conditioning director at Wabash College, where he aided in the development of varsity athletes while also serving as a personal trainer for faculty and staff. Seth also served as exercise physiologist at Ohio Health while earning his master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Otterbein University. During his study at Otterbein, he traveled to Hungary with the American Corner Society, lecturing at local colleges and universities on mental wellness. Seth is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). 

Nutrition Sciences Launch


The nutrition sciences undergraduate major and minor are off to a good start this year. We are excited for our new food laboratory space in the Jo Young Switzer Center, where students will receive hands-on experiences and clinical learning. Katherine Matutes Ph.D., RDN is dedicated to her students and making this program flourish. We will continue to grow in the area of lifestyle medicine and allow students practical experiences with our own student-athletes, faculty and staff. With new technology in our lab, we expect to expand our reach with online learning, streaming video and content, as well as distance nutritional communication.

Doctor of Physical Therapy


The Exercise Science Department is excited to be working alongside the new Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program based at our Fort Wayne location. Bhupinder Singh, program director, has been instrumental in creating and organizing this great program, which will enroll its first cohort in the summer of 2023. Other new faculty include Edward Ball PT, director of clinical education, and Tom Ruediger PT, associate professor of physical therapy.

Along with our Master of Athletic Training Program, the DPT Program will provide another pipeline for our undergraduate students in clinical and rehabilitation sciences to transition to the next level in their exercise science education. MU’s recent program growth in this area should create a synergy that will spur growth at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.  

Exercise Science Wellness Program

Planning and preparation to resurrect a wellness program in exercise science are underway. With new faculty and program offerings, ESS 414, a once active course in which students could interact with faculty and staff to create plans for wellness and exercise, is being reimagined and reinvented. The revised program will offer the opportunity for colleagues to work with exercise science students and faculty for help and advice on nutrition, strength and conditioning training and learning to make healthier and better lifestyle choices. This side-by-side venture is a great way for students to enhance learning and experiences with a trained, knowledgeable and credentialed professional. We are excited for this opportunity and what it can bring to our community and students.

Study Away Opportunity

The International Sports Medicine course is heading to Australia in January, led by Dr. Jeffrey Beer. Students will fly into Sydney for half the visit while also visiting Cairns and the Gold Coast. Students are ready to go and we are excited. The trip will include lectures from medical professionals, sporting events, surfing, snorkeling, walking tours, collaboration and much more. These are valuable growth opportunities for our students both academically and personally. If ever interested in more information on our travels please do not hesitate to reach out to me.  

Connect with us! Please take this opportunity to update your profile and share your news with alumni and friends of the Exercise Science and Athletic Training program. In addition, please indicate your interest in participating with the University in other ways. (If you have already expressed your interests, there is no need to respond again unless your preferences have changed).

To contact us, email Jeff Beer at jabeer@manchester.edu.