The World Tang Soo Do Association, a Koren martial arts organization, recently promoted Penn State Wilkes-Barre Chemistry Professor, Dr. Dudley Snyder to a 4th Degree Master Black Belt.
Dr. Snyder, a member of the Penn State Wilkes-Barre faculty since 1981, has been studying Tang Soo Do for over 35 years, having first taken up martial arts while earning his PhD at Purdue University.
"I always had an interest in martial arts but never really felt like I had the time or opportunity to devote time to training until I was at Purdue," says Snyder.
The World Tang Soo Do Association is one of the largest martial arts organizations with more than 100,000 members in 36 countries around the globe.
Promotions at this level not only require physical testing but also written examinations and a thesis. Although Dr. Snyder's official promotion occurred last summer, the actual belting ceremony was not held until the fall at the annual Region 8 Championship, held in the Poconos. Dr. Snyder also holds an instructor certification in Tang Soo Do.