FACS Linkages Online Spring/Summer 2011

We are excited to announce the change of the name of the Department of Consumer and Family Sciences to Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) department as of April 1, 2011. This name change is being made in conjunction with the 100 anniversary of the formation of the department at WKU.

It is with great pride that the FACS department announces that the Vicki & Dan Renshaw Early Childhood Center (ECC) at WKU has met the rigorous standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and has been awarded NAEYC Accreditation for the program. Congratulations to director, Lisa Murphy, and the ECC staff for all their hard work to achieve this outstanding recognition.

Two FACS graduates, Ms. Natalie Bromer, Dietetics, from Bowling Green, KY, and Ms. Kelsey Hoehn, Interior Design, from Mt. Vernon, IN, earned the honor of being named College of Health and Human Services Scholars of the College at the May, 2011 commencement.  Ms. Bromer and Ms. Hoehn are the ninth and tenth FACS graduates to receive this honor since Spring 2002. 

Two 2011 dietetic graduates, Ms. Emily Harper and Ms. Lorna Keller,  were awarded scholarship by the Kentucky Dietetic Association at their annual meeting held in April, 2011.  FACS students consistently compete successfully for scholarships from this organization. 

Several FACS students were presented awards at the College of Health and Human Services Awards Banquet held on Saturday, April 30, at the Carroll Knicely Conference Center in Bowling Green.  The following students received awards:

• Ms. Jordan C. Bartek of Evansville, IN ,was named Outstanding Interior Design Student.
• Ms. Laura A. Hampton of St. Louis, MO, was named Outstanding Student in Family and Consumer Sciences Education.
• Ms. Natalie Evans Bromer of Bowling Green, KY, was named Outstanding Senior in Nutrition and Dietetics and received the Phi Upsilon Omicron Honor Society Academic Excellence Award.
• Ms. Kelsey J. Hoehn of Mt. Vernon, IN, received the WKU American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Leadership Award.
• Ms. Emily Harper of Bowling Green, KY, received the Phi Upsilon Omicron Honor Society Outstanding Leadership Award.
• Ms. Sara M. Glanz of Glasgow, KY, received the Phi Upsilon Omicron Honor Society Outstanding Service Award.

Congratulations to all of these outstanding students!

Laura Kathleen Planck, a TAM graduate and clothing designer, is competing in Season Nine of Project Runway.  While the focus of the WKU Textiles and Apparel Merchandising program is on product development and merchandising, the faculty remember that Laura was always interested in design and carried class projects through into her spare time in order to explore clothing design more fully.  We at FACS wish Laura Kathleen (her design name) the best of luck in her current endeavor.

The Beta Delta Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron honor society was named national runner-up in the Professional Project competition by the organization's National Council this spring.  The theme of their project was "ENGAGE in Servant Leadership for a Better Community." The word ENGAGE is an acronym for ways to engage in leadership by: Educating, Networking, Giving, Advocating, Granting, and Empowering.  Examples of the activities included in the project were: donating gifts to children through the Salvation Army's annual Angel Tree and raising money and promoting awareness for heart disease research, treatment and prevention. The major activity this year was to develop and present basic nutrition and cooking education to parents attending Community Action of Southern Kentucky's monthly parent meeting.  The students purchased the groceries, calculated the cost-per-serving for the meal, prepared the meal,  and provided samples and recipes to the parents. 

Four TAM students participated in The Fashion Group International of Dallas Foundation's 43rd Annual Career Day in Dallas, Texas on April 1, 2011.  The students attending  and competing in the Repurposed Denim design competition were: Tyler Estes, Kristie Moesner, Johanna Studinski, and Samantha Wheeler.    All four students' garments were selected to be in the exhibit that day and three of the four were included in the full-scale runway show, where professional runway models showcased the designs.

Dallas Career Day was conceived as a way to provide a philanthropic, educational outreach program for university students seeking careers in the fashion and lifestyle industries. This event is regarded as the longest-running, largest fashion career event of its kind in the country.  Students from across the country participate in the 23 educational seminars and workshops, as well as compete for more than $30,000 in scholarship prizes in a variety of design and merchandising categories.  Fashion Group International of Dallas is a global, non-profit association whose members hail from all areas of the fashion industry. 

It is with extreme pleasure that the FACS department announces that Dr. Danita Kelley , dietetics faculty in FACS and  director of the department's ADA-accredited dietetic program  since 1994, has been chosen to be the Associate Dean of the College of Health and Human Services at WKU.  While we will be sad to say goodbye, Dr. Kelley's new duties will keep her involved with the department, and she will still be located in the Academic Complex.  Please join us in congratulating Dr. Kelley and wishing her well as she takes on her new, challenging duties.

Mark Your Calendars!  WKU Homecoming 2011 is set for Saturday, October 22, 2011.  The theme this year is "Geaux Toppers!"  There are a great variety of events being planned by the FACS department, alumni, and the university.  Please visit the FACS website (http://www.wku.edu/facs) for updated information.  We hope to see YOU there!