The spring semester has just begun, but we are already looking forward to spring break (and warmer weather!) when we will offer several opportunities for students to travel abroad for study and service learning.

Through Ambassadors for Children, there are service-learning programs in Guatemala and El Salvador where students can work with children in schools and orphanages or help out with building projects in small communities. While engaging in volunteer activities, students will develop a global awareness of the challenges and concerns around education, housing, healthcare, and nutrition.

Chef Carl Behnke will lead a tour of Switzerland that explores the country’s cuisine and culture, and Professor Carol Boushey and I will lead a similar tour in France. We have space for up to six alumni to join us on our trip March 8–16 to Roanne where we will explore the phenomenon known as the “French Paradox.” For years, scientists have been baffled about the observation that the French eat delicious, rich food and yet their rates of heart disease are less than that of Americans. During the week, we’ll stay in a French chateau and make daily excursions to local farmers' markets, a vineyard, an oil press, and a chocolate maker. We’ll also take cooking and wine classes and visit local food venues. If interested, you can get details on the trip by visiting the CFS Web site.

Most of our students have never traveled outside of the United States, yet they must be prepared to work and live in a global community. Through study abroad, we can provide opportunities for them to see the world beyond our borders and to engage with others from different cultures.

Dennis Savaiano
Dean

Students interested in study abroad can explore more than 20 different programs available at the CFS Study Abroad Fair on Wednesday, January 30 from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the HTM Café in Stone Hall. Students who have participated in study abroad will be on hand to share their experiences. Pizza and drinks will be available. Visit the CFS Study Abroad page.

The College of Consumer and Family Sciences is accepting nominations through March 31, 2008, for the 2008 Inspiring Families and Building Communities Award. The annual award honors a program or collaboration that has improved the well-being of Indiana families. A $1,500 monetary award will be given to the winning organization and awards up to $500 to a select group of finalists. Read more about the award and download a nomination form.

The Department of Consumer Sciences and Retailing will host its annual Career Conference on February 5–6 on the West Lafayette campus. The event is organized by the Professional Development Council student organization. Company presentations and a career fair will be held on Tuesday, February 5, and interviews for internships and full-time employment will be available on Wednesday, February 6. Visit the CSR Career Conference Web site.

Alumni and friends are invited to Naples, Florida, for the 2008 Mollenkopf Weekend February 8–10. CFS Dean Dennis Savaiano will host a golf outing at ArrowHead Golf Club at Heritage Greens on Friday, February 8. On Sunday, February 10, CFS alumna Anne Bradley Mason, BS ’43, will host a brunch at The Country Club of Naples. Read more about CFS events during the weekend and how to register.

CFS Extension
Dee Love, human development specialist, received the National Council on Family Relations Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) designation, which recognizes professionals who have a proven background and knowledge in 10 family life content areas.

Hospitality and Tourism Management
Shawn Jang, assistant professor, and Chun-Hung (Hugo) Tang, PhD student, received a Best Paper Award at the 13th Annual Graduate Education and Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism for their paper, “Mitigating Weather Risk in Nature-Based Tourism Business: A Proposal of Snowfall Derivatives for Ski Resorts.”

Carl Behnke, chef instructor, had his poster accepted for the inaugural poster session (hosted by Purdue’s Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management) at the Las Vegas Foodservice Educators Network International (FENI) Educators Summit, to be held in February. His poster outlines a proposed study examining the application and effectiveness of blended learning techniques in a culinary arts education context.

Carol Silkes, assistant professor, received a Best Poster Award for her poster that will be featured at the FENI Educators Summit. Her poster, “Toward a New Model of Experiential Restaurant Management,” outlined the team approach that is currently used in HTM 492 (Advanced Foodservice Management).

January 23: Purdue on the Road (Anaheim, California)
January 30: CFS Study Abroad Fair
February 5–6: CSR Career Conference
February 8 –10: Mollenkopf Weekend in Naples
February 15: Purdue on the Road (Scottsdale, Arizona)
February 29: Boilermaker Ball
March 29: Spring Fashion Show “runAway”
March 31: Purdue on the Road (Washington, DC)
April 5: HTM Black Tie Dinner
April 11: Felker Leadership Series
April 11: CFS Awards Dinner
April 12: CFS Alumni Board Meeting
April 12–13: Spring Fest
April 12–13: Gala Week

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