In 2002, Purdue President Martin C. Jischke introduced the One Brick Higher Award to recognize extraordinary contributions by faculty and staff for the betterment of Purdue. I am pleased to announce that one of our own was honored with this award in November.

Susan Tharp (at right with President Jischke) is an Extension director and CFS educator in Clinton County who received the One Brick Higher Award for her efforts in developing the first Extension-affiliated community learning center in Indiana. The Clinton County Learning Network is a community-based center that provides life-long learning opportunities and high-tech training to area residents.

To date, nearly 5,000 students have participated in classes and most businesses in and around Frankfort use the center for professional development for their employees.

In accepting the award, Susan said, "Every day, due to Purdue Extension, a door opens to Purdue University in every county in Indiana. Our educators are out there every day, all year long, doing that very important small stuff that makes a difference in the lives of Indiana's citizens."

Susan Tharp is just one example of the many wonderful people we have in Consumer and Family Sciences who are working every day to improve the quality of life for individuals and families in Indiana and beyond.

Best wishes for a healthy and happy holiday season,

Dennis Savaiano
Dean

Busy calendars during the holidays can make it difficult to manage work and family responsibilities, but Shelley MacDermid, director of Purdue's Center for Families, says the holidays can be a great time to build relationships. Learn how to create special family memories without the stress.

When families get together for the holidays, they tend to eat foods high in calories and fat, but a foods and nutrition expert says that's not necessarily wrong. "If people look forward to and really enjoy the foods common this time of year, they should relax and enjoy them," says Olivia Wood, associate professor in the Department of Foods and Nutrition. Read Wood's tips for enjoying a healthy holiday season.

Are you the host for the family's holiday meal? Carl Behnke, a chef instructor in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, has put together a recipe for a perfect traditional holiday meal whether you are an experienced cook or a novice. Read Behnke's tips for cooking up the perfect holiday feast.

Liping Cai, professor in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, was one of six Purdue faculty members to receive an Asian Initiative grant to spearhead collaborative research projects with China and India. Cai's grant will be used to assist his efforts to establish a tourism research center in Hangzhou, China. The project will be a joint effort between Purdue, Peking University, and the Hangzhou government. The research center will provide industry with information needed to serve the inbound, outbound, and domestic markets of China's tourism. Read more about the Asian Initiative grants.

Indiana legislators had the opportunity to hear about the latest research from Purdue on how gambling affects family policy issues during the Family Impact Seminar held November 21. "Every day, state legislators must make a myriad of decisions that affect families," says Shelley MacDermid, director, Center for Families at Purdue. "Family Impact Seminars empower them to do so more effectively by putting cutting-edge scientific research in their hands." Read more about this year's Family Impact Seminar.

Several faculty and students in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management attended the annual International Hotel Motel and Restaurant Show in New York City November 12–14. Professor Richard Ghiselli and Professor Mick La Lopa (at right with HTM students) participated in a panel discussion as part of the Leadership Institute. Professors Sheryl Kline and William Jaffe brought students from Eta Sigma Delta and the HTM Society. Students worked in the HTM booth talking to prospective students and employers. A reception for HTM alumni was hosted by alum Andrew Whitaker on behalf of the Cipriani Group at Rockefeller Center.

Richard Feinberg, retail expert and professor in the Department of Consumer Sciences and Retailing, predicts holiday sales will increase 2 percent to 4 percent over last year. On the other hand, Internet sales could be up 22 percent from last year, though still only accounting for 10 percent of total holiday receipts. Read Feinberg's complete forecast.

The Financial Security in Later Life Web site received a Southern Region Finalist Award for Financial Management from the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. Sharon DeVaney, professor, Department of Consumer Sciences and Retailing, has developed several Web sites that are part of the award-winning site.

Richard Feinberg, professor, Department of Consumer Sciences and Retailing, was featured in the December issue of Indianapolis Monthly. The article discussed retail trends, online shopping, and holiday shopping myths.

Christine Ladisch, vice provost for academic affairs and professor in the Department of Consumer Sciences and Retailing, was honored recently at Mortar Board's Women of Purdue reception. The program recognizes women on the Purdue faculty who have been hired or promoted into prestigious positions.

December 18: Winter Commencement

February 7–8: Midwest Career Fair

April 1: Spring Fashion Show

April 1: HTM Black Tie Dinner

April 7: Felker Leadership Series

April 7: CFS Alumni Awards & Outstanding Senior Dinner

April 8–9: Spring Fest

April 9–10: Gala Weekend

If you have a comment or question about a story, or if you would like to unsubscribe to CFS e-News, please contact us at cfsalums@purdue.edu. Thanks for reading!