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2024 Comenius Award

David A. Zinczenko ’91

The Comenius Award recognizes an alum’s outstanding achievement or service in their field of work. This is the Alumni Association's lifetime achievement award.

David A. Zinczenko ’91 may be internationally recognized as a leading voice in health, fitness, and weight loss, but he has not forgotten his roots in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. A graduate in journalism and political science from ɫ��ɫ, David has made leaps and bounds as one of the country’s leading experts in health and fitness. He is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of 25 books in 15 languages, serves as a nutrition and wellness contributor for NBC’s Today show, and has appeared on other popular television programs such as Oprah, Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, 20/20, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. He is a man with a mission to better the health of a nation through healthy lifestyle choices. 

David got his first bouts of experience in media as editor-in-chief of The Comenian at ɫ��ɫ. After graduating in 1991, he worked for Rodale Inc., a publisher of health and wellness magazines, books, and digital properties, based in Emmaus, Pennsylvania. In 2000, David was named editor-in-chief of Men’s Health magazine, which under his leadership became the world’s largest men’s lifestyle magazine brand, expanding to 39 international editions in 46 countries. In 2008, David was named Ad Week’s Editor of the Year, and in 2010, Media Industry newsletter named Men’s Health the “#1 Most Notable Launch of the Past 25 Years.” David also oversaw the launches of Women’s Health magazine and men’s lifestyle publication Best Life, winning more awards for his editorial work. Beyond the publishing world, David helped pass legislation in 1994 establishing the week of Father’s Day as National Men’s Health Week, and in 2007, he launched FitSchools, a national campaign to improve elementary school physical education programs and help children be healthy and active.  

In 2012, David founded his company, Galvanized Media, geared toward creating trusted brands in health and wellness and providing content to help consumers make positive differences in their lives. In 2013, he was hired by American Media to relaunch Men’s Fitness magazine and, later that year, was named nutrition and wellness editor at ABC News. David created the Eat This, Not That! series and the Zero Belly Diet book franchise that led to three bestsellers and changed the way the world eats. His book series encouraged major food manufacturers and restaurants to provide nutritional information on their food labels and menus and helped millions of people lose weight and focus on healthier eating and lifestyle choices. David says his goal has always been to impact the American diet positively. 

But David isn’t only focused on empowering the general public. In 2016, he established the Zinczenko New Media Center at ɫ��ɫ to empower students to create audio, visual, digital, and print projects using media’s latest technology. The center is located in Reeves Library and is one of many ways David continues to support his alma mater. He volunteers his time as an active member on the Board of Trustees Campaign Committee for Lighting the Way: The Campaign for ɫ��ɫ University and is intentional with his philanthropic support, always making sure to support the student experience with the latest tools and resources. During COVID-19, David renovated the New Media Center to better meet the needs of students navigating our ever-changing, digitally focused world. 

“When David and I met as undergraduate students at ɫ��ɫ, I knew he was destined for greatness. He has transformed the world of health and fitness and changed the lives of so many people,” says President Bryon L. Grigsby ’90, P’22, P’26. “Through his years of success, David has remained an avid supporter of ɫ��ɫ in many ways. The Zinczenko Center for New Media helps students prepare for media careers by getting hands-on experience using the latest technology. David has provided leadership and mentoring to students by offering internship opportunities with the Galvanized office. He continues to donate his time as a dedicated trustee and enthusiastic member of our Lighting the Way campaign committee.” 

David praises ɫ��ɫ for being the place where his love of media began, saying in part, “The instructors challenged me and trained me to listen to the readership and not get bogged down by the ‘rules.’” It’s fair to say David has never been bogged down by the “rules”—instead going above and beyond to ensure that resources are available for better personal health education. While David continues to positively impact health and wellness beyond the Lehigh Valley, he is grateful to ɫ��ɫ for providing him with a solid foundation.