FCS
2006 News
An interactive, educational half-day workshop to promote certification of family life educators (CFLE) in the community titled “Strengthening Families Through Family Life Education” was offered by the family studies program in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences last October. The purpose of the workshop was to promote understanding of the FLE discipline, the certification process and requirements and the value of employing CFLEs. The workshop was highly interactive and engaging with individual, small group and large group activities. There was opportunity for each participant to personalize the information presented and to relate the material to the work done at their agency or organization. The evaluations from participants at the Strengthening Families workshop all rated the experience positively. The following faculty in the family studies/family life education programs facilitated the workshop: Dr. Linda Dannison, chair; Dr. Karen Blaisure, professor; Dr. Chantel Lumpkin, assistant professor; and Bryce Dickey, faculty specialist.
Interior Design Activities 2006-07 - The Professional Advisory and Interior Design Student Organization (IDSO) collaborated to produce the Second Annual Town Hall Panel Discussion on Nov. 15. Participating professionals were: Craig Boeve, Manufacturing Representative, Interface Inc.; Sue Conklin, Interior Designer, URS Corporation, Grand Rapids; Rick Wordell, Architect, Eckert/ Wordell Architects, Kalamazoo; Yvonne Blodgett, alumna and Interior Designer, Custer Office Environments, Grand Rapids; and Jorge Bosque, alumnus and fine artist, Cassapolis, MI.
In January, 15 members of the Interior Design Student Organization (IDSO) participated in building a home for a Kalamazoo Habitat for Humanity project.
The second annual All Student Exhibit and Open House was held Dec. 1, 2006. Student work from all levels was on exhibit in the gallery and the three studios.
Jorge Brosque, alumnus, set up his Miniature Chair Exhibition in the Design Gallery during November, 2006. Jorge is a fine artist in the Niles area.
The Fusion Fashion Show sponsored by MODA (textile and apparel merchandising and design student organization) was held Nov. 11 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel, Kalamazoo. Clothing shown included student designed and constructed collections and merchandise from local vendors: Lana's, Sydney, Tempted and Barks 5th Avenue. Clothing for dogs was featured in the show. Fifty percent of the proceeds from the show were donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
The Family Life Education Poster Colloquium was hosted on Oct. 25 by the graduate students enrolled in FCS 6520: Family Life Education as partial fulfillment of their course requirements.
Student Fashion Exhibition 2006: The exhibit was held in the Design Gallery, 2202 Kohrman, Oct. 11- 25. The
exhibit displayed the work of fashion design students and was sponsored by the Department of
Family and Consumer Sciences Fashion Design Program.
Barbara Frazier, associate professor in Family and Consumer Sciences, was elected to a two year term on the Board of Directors of Kappa Omicron Nu. Kappa Omicron Nu is an honor society for students in the human sciences with a mission to create empowered leaders through scholarship, research and leadership. Membership in Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society is available to majors in academic programs that focus on multidisciplinary education, research and service focused on individuals, families, communities and their health and environments for the purpose of improving and enhancing the quality of living. The organization provides leadership for collaboration among various organizations within the human sciences relating to leadership development, undergraduate research and strategic thinking about the future of human sciences in higher education.
Fashion Show Raises Funds for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
The Family and Consumer Sciences student organization M.O.D.A. (Merchandising Opportunities Design Association) staged "Fusion," a fashion show held at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in November 2006. The show featured over 100 student-designed and constructed garments as well as clothing from local Kalamazoo boutiques. Over 600 people attended the show and $3,000 of the proceeds was donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Family Life and the Military: During summer I session, Dr. Karen Blaisure offered a special topics course on family life and the military to upper-level undergraduate and graduate students at the Grand Rapids campus. This one-credit hour course focused on the stressors faced by families and their military members and positive coping strategies. Particular attention was given to the stages related to separations (pre-deployment, deployment and post-deployment), reactions to combat and resources for military members and their families. Guest speakers included National Guard member Michael R. Lorenz and LTC Brett Johnson from WMU's Department of Military Science.
Did you know that most new jobs are created by small businesses? Encouraging more people to become entrepreneurs is a crucial element in economic development in the U.S. The Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) curricula provide many opportunities for entrepreneurship and small business ownership in various product and service areas, such as independent retail firms, restaurants, apparel and interior design firms and childcare centers. Identifying entrepreneurial potential in FCS majors is important so that fledgling entrepreneurs can be encouraged and nurtured. Dr. Barbara Frazier, associate professor, is working with Dr. Linda Niehm from Iowa State University on a multi-state study which will explore the entrepreneurship potential of FCS students. The FCS program has recently added a course in entrepreneurship. If you know of FCS entrepreneurs willing to share their experiences with FCS students, please contact Dr. Frazier at (269) 387-3719 or . Guest speakers, job shadowing experiences and internships are all excellent ways that alumni can encourage entrepreneurship in FCS students.
In May 2006, Dr. Marlene Breu, professor, Textile and Apparel Studies, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, visited faculty in the Home Economics Education Department at the University of Botswana in Gaborone, Botswana, Africa. She shared information about the structure of the WMU Family and Consumer Sciences program, talked about research activities and discussed possible collaborations between faculty. Dr. Breu collected information about the faculty and programs at the University of Botswana.
A reception was held featuring the Interior Design Comprehensive Senior Design Projects on Apr. 29 (Seniors are pictured below).
The Commission on Accreditation of Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association has approved the continued accreditation of the Dietetic Internship Program. The decision was based on a peer review of a self-study report prepared by the dietetic internship faculty. The program enrolls up to eight full-time interns annually with a general emphasis in food, nutrition and management. The next program review for the dietetic internship will be conducted in 2012.
The Career and Technical Education program continues to develop initiatives that serve the educational community in the production of highly qualified teachers in technical subjects. WMU’s post-baccalaureate master’s degree leading to initial certification in the instruction of Career and Technical Education (CTE) allows non-traditional students to obtain their teaching credentials and count the courses for graduate credit. The most exciting development to come from this initiative has been entering into an agreement with the Troops to Teachers Program last fall to offer the certification program in an online format. The Troops to Teachers initiative (TTT) was designed to assist retiring and former military personnel in entering public education as teachers. The program is attracting the types of individuals needed in public education, particularly Career and Technical Education and in high demand areas in both urban and rural school districts. More information about the TTT Program is available at www.proudtoserveagain.com.
Family Life Education Conference
Graduate students enrolled in FCS 6520: Family Life Education presented their third conference on Mar. 25, 2006, to highlight their research and professional program activities in the areas of family policy, interpersonal relationships, parent education, youth development, resource management, family dynamics and diversity. The conference fulfills a course requirement, intended to encourage students' ongoing research and participation in professional development activities and organizations. Previous conferences and poster colloquiums presented by the graduate students enrolled in Family and Consumer Sciences' courses have also provided opportunities to connect with the WMU community and promote the field of family life education.
In March members of the Student Dietetic Association increased awareness of healthy eating and the new food pyramid during National Nutrition Month by hosting various programs and displaying information in the Student Recreation Center. Their participation was recognized by the American Dietetic Association.