President France Córdova is moving steadily forward with the development of Purdue’s new strategic plan, and we are also developing new strategic directions for the college. There’s been much discussion about what our goals should be, what we want to do better, and the ways in which we want to lead. While our strategic plan is a work in progress, one thing is clear — it will focus on the ways we can connect and collaborate with others, whether they are across campus, throughout Indiana, or around the world.

The new CFS strategic plan focuses on people, partnerships, and possibilities. There’s no question that people are our greatest strength, and to effect the most change in our learning, discovery, and engagement initiatives, we must partner with others who share a similar mission. By doing this, we can fulfill our purpose to enhance quality of life. The possibilities are endless.

We have a working draft of the CFS strategic plan on our Web site, and I encourage our faculty and staff, students, alumni, and others interested in the strategic direction of our college to take a look. The document really provides the foundation from which our new strategic plan will be crafted, and I welcome your input.

Hail Purdue!
Dennis Savaiano
Dean

Purdue’s Homecoming is October 24–25, and football tickets in the CFS block can be purchased online through Purdue Sports. Tickets are $40 each (a $6 discount) and are available through September 21 or until sold out. Visit Purdue Sports to order your tickets. You will need to enter promotion code: CFS. Then click on the Homecoming/Minnesota game to place your order.

More than 375 CFS students will be receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees at commencement on Saturday, May 10. The ceremony will be held at 9:30 a.m., and the college is hosting a reception for graduates and their families immediately afterward in Founder’s Park. Get commencement information.

The Department of Foods and Nutrition announced recipients of its 2008 Hall of Fame Award at a reception May 1. They are Pamela Fraker; Ilo Wolff Matchett, BS ’40; Mary Ellen Fridrich Posthauer, BS ’60; Sister Mary Alan Stuart, PhD ’83; and Debbie Swart Woehler, BS ’76. Read more about the 2008 Hall of Fame inductees.

A team of Purdue students, including one foods and nutrition student, took the $10,000 top prize in this year’s Sara Lee Innovation Award competition. The second annual contest is designed to spark culinary creativity while educating students on the process of creating, producing, and marketing a new food product. Members of the winning team were Kayleen Wichlinski, a double major in dietetics and foods and nutrition in business; Patti Tanner, a graduate student in food science; and Matt Wolf, a biological and food process engineering major. Read more about the competition and the team’s winning entry.

Eleven students in Purdue’s chapter of Ambassadors for Children traveled to El Salvador during spring break as part of a study abroad and service learning class led by Thelma Snuggs, associate professor in Consumer Sciences and Retailing. The students volunteered at schools, orphanages, and helped with community projects. During the week, they served 806 children, volunteered 612 hours, and donated $4,500 in aid. Visit the Consumer Sciences and Retailing Web site to see photos from the trip.

The annual Spring Fashion Show attracted more than 1,300 people to the two shows held March 29 in Ross-Ade Pavilion. This was the second year for students to produce two shows and the first time to present all of the senior collections at both shows. The Audience Select Award for Best Senior Runway Collection went to Kat Goodrich. Read a complete list of all award and scholarship winners plus more on the fashion show.

Administration

• Betsy Thompson, advisor, received Purdue University’s Student Activities and Organization Outstanding Advisor of the Year Award from the Office of the Dean of Students. Thompson advises the Consumer and Family Sciences Student Council.

Child Development and Family Studies

• Karen Fingerman, Berner Hanley University Scholar, was promoted to professor.
• Dan Mroczek was promoted to professor and also named a University Faculty Scholar. The program recognizes faculty who are on an accelerated path for academic distinction.
• Judy Myers-Walls, associate professor, was named a 2008 Purdue Community of Service-Learning Faculty Fellow. She received a $5,000 grant to support a graduate teaching assistantship to help expand the service learning options in two CDFS classes.
• Colleen Pagnan, graduate student, received the college’s Beulah Gillaspie Outstanding Master’s Student Award.
• Volker Thomas, associate professor, received the college’s 2008 Mary L. Matthews Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award.

Consumer Sciences and Retailing

• Sharon DeVaney spoke at the Women in Agriculture conference in Oklahoma City on April 2 about retirement and estate planning for farm families.
• Alex Gagnon, a senior in retail management, and James Totton, a senior in selling and sales management, were two of seven Purdue students to receive the Charles O. McGaughey Leadership Award that honors students with leadership potential.
• Sandra Liu was promoted to professor.

Foods and Nutrition

• Jay Burgess, associate professor, received the Gamma Sigma Delta Award.
• Wayne Campbell, professor, has been named a University Faculty Scholar. The program recognizes faculty who are on an accelerated path for academic distinction.
• Amy Conklin and Victoria Kleyner, both seniors majoring in dietetics and nutrition, fitness, and health, received the Amelia Earhart Scholarship for students who demonstrate a desire to succeed in their fields.
• Deb Pullen, secretary, received the Rose Award from Mortar Board that honors clerical and service staff.
• Connie Weaver, head and distinguished professor, received the 2007 Harris Award for Excellence in Food Science and Technology from Ohio State University.
• Zhentao (Richard) Zhang, graduate student, received the college’s Norma H. Compton Outstanding Doctoral Student Award.

Hospitality and Tourism Management

• SooCheong (Shawn) Jang was promoted to associate professor and received the department’s Bruce Lazarus Teaching Award. The award recognizes a junior faculty member for outstanding undergraduate instruction and is voted on by the students.
• Robert Sparrow, a sophomore in hospitality and tourism management, was named the National Association of College and University Food Services Student Employee of the Year at Purdue. A student supervisor in Windsor Dining Court, he created new training tools for student employees and their student supervisors.

May 10: Commencement
May 18: HTM Reception at the NRA Show
June 1–7: Operation Purple Summer Camp
June 11–13: Home and Family Conference
June 21: Purdue Day in Chicago

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