FCS
2008 News
Kymberli Flanagan, instructor, talks about how to easily save money on the food at parties.
The Fall 2008 Newsletter is available. Catch up on the latest news!
Dr. Marlene Breu, professor of Textile and Apparel Studies, has a newly published book chapter on material resulting from a joint study of historical sacred artifacts in the Armenian Orthodox Churches of Istanbul, Turkey. The chapter was written in conjunction with colleague Dr. Ron Marchese of the University of Minnesota at Duluth, who collaborated on the project. The book, titled Vivarium in Context, was published by Pozzo Publishers for the Centre for Medieval Studies in Vicenza, Italy. The Marchese/Breu chapter, titled "Images of the Divine: Sacred Embroideries from the Armenian Patriarchate in Istanbul”, follows their study of sacred vestments and other textiles in the church treasuries. Thirty-three color plates of textile artifacts from the collections were used in the chapter and cover page of the book. The textile study was partially funded by a Faculty Research and Creative Activities Support Fund Grant.
The Merchandising Opportunities Design Association recently hosted "House of MODA", a runway fashion show on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7 and 8.
Western Michigan University's Interior Design Student Organization presented the 2008 Student Showcase.
The open house was held on December 4 with viewing December 1-5. This was a wonderful opportunity for people to view the incredible work of future Interior Design graduates.
Lateshia Agnew was one of 66 students nationwide to receive the American Humanics award. The award identifies its recipients as future leaders in nonprofit work and philanthropy. Agnew will receive a $4,500 scholarship through the Next Generation Nonprofit Leaders Program to cover expenses while completing an internship with a nonprofit organization.
Dr. Linda Dannison, chair, has been invited by the Council for the International Exchange of Scholars to serve as a reviewer on the 2008-09 Sociology and Social Work Peer Review Committee for the Fulbright Senior Specialist Program.
A high level multi-sector delegation from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands met with researchers from Western Michigan University to discuss on-going projects directed at the childhood obesity epidemic that has captured the attention of governments around the world. A multidisciplinary team of College of Education faculty have teamed up with the CNMI public school system to offer a program to primary caregivers that has the potential to impact childhood obesity through household behavioral changes. These faculty are Mozhdeh Bruss, Joseph Morris, Linda Dannison, Tim Michael, Brooks Applegate, Andrea Smith and Judy McGowan representing dietetics, adult education, psychology, exercise science, early childhood, parent education, program development and evaluation, research methodology and teacher education. Other faculty members including Lonnie Duncan, Suzan Ayers and James Lewis from the College of Education and Amy Curtis from the College of Health and Human Services will participate in upcoming meetings discussing multifaceted and multilevel aspects of childhood obesity in the CNMI and exploring strategies for its reduction and prevention. The project is supported by the Larry L. Hillblom Foundation, CNMI Public School System and Western Michigan University.
Due to the efforts of Katie Johnson, vice president of MODA, Three WMU fashion students were selected to showcase their designs at Chicago Fashion Week during an event titled “New Generation 2008.” The event gave these top design students an opportunity to showcase their talent and offered guests a sneak peak at future designers. The MODA members chosen to go were Kristina Moellering, Katie Nolff and Liza Nay. New Generation 2008 took place Apr. 24th at the River East Art Center in Chicago as part of fashion week, which ran Apr. 21- 27.
The Capital Area Higher Education Network recognized Mary Beth Tygielski, master’s student at the WMU-Lansing Campus, in an award ceremony Apr. 9. Karen Pohja, instructor, nominated Tygielski for her resolve in pursuing her degree. Tygielski works as a Clinical Audit Coordinator of Medical Management at Priority Health-Farmington Hills. CAHEN is a group of twelve area colleges and universities working collaboratively to promote life-long learning in the Lansing metropolitan area, foster discussion of higher education issues, and encourage employers to support professional development of their employees. CAHEN’s target audience consists of adult learners who need to earn an undergraduate or graduate degree in order to advance professionally, want to remain competitive in the work force and wish to conduct their studies in the Lansing area.
Dr. Karen Blaisure presented "The Deployment Cycle" on Thursday, Apr. 10. The free one-hour seminar addressed experiences common to friends and family of deployed or deplying military service personnel. This event was sponsored by the Advocacy Office for Transfer Students and Military Affairs.
The "Rock the Catwalk Fusion 2008" spring fashion show was held at the Radisson Plaza Hotel and Suites Exhibition Hall on Apr. 11 and 12. Half the proceeds from this show went to benefit the Southwest Michigan Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Andrea Abernathy, a student in the textile and apparel studies, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, accepted a scholarship to the American Intercontinental University London campus awarded by the International Textile and Apparel Association at its recent international conference in Los Angeles. Andrea was the only fashion merchandising student in the country to receive the scholarship and one of only two scholarships awarded to fund students for study abroad at AIU in London. Andrea and student Patti Borrello attended conference events including visits to venues that are part of the very active fashion industry in Los Angeles. They were accompanied by Drs. Barbara Frazier, associate professor, and Marlene Breu, professor. Dr. Frazier presented a paper "What Employers Want: A Content Analysis of Entry Level Job Listings for Textile and Apparel Graduates" in a session devoted to professional issues related to students' professional preparedness. The conference was attended by Textile and Apparel faculty from throughout the U.S. and numerous countries throughout the world.
The Interior Design Senior Show featuring Angela Thomas, Ashley Steinbach, Beth Bishop, Janice Marchetti and Mandie Bazan held its closing reception on Friday, Mar. 28, 2008.
The Department of Family and Consumer Scienecs presented student and faculty awards on Mar. 26, 2008.
The Interior Design Senior Show was held in The Gallery in February feature the designs of Wendi Dines, Courtney Finn, Elizabeth Hammond, Michele Lescota, Lindsay McBride and Monica Richards.