It was wonderful to see and talk with so many of you at Homecoming. You are probably aware that we had something very special to celebrate at this year's festivities. In the week leading up to Homecoming, we announced two leadership gifts for the Human Development Institute from Bill and Sally Hanley (right) of Omaha, Nebraska, and Ben and Maxine Miller (lower left) of Lafayette, Indiana.

The Human Development Institute will be home to centers and programs at Purdue that promote research on families, aging, and leadership. It will be housed in two buildings: the existing Fowler House and an adjacent new facility, Bill and Sally Hanley Hall. The Purdue Child Care Program, which will be part of the Human Development Institute, will be renamed the Ben and Maxine Miller Child Learning Center. These gifts have put the Human Development Institute well on its way to becoming a reality.

Our vision for the Human Development Institute grew with faculty collaborators and our desire to integrate learning, discovery, and engagement around families and children, so it's wonderful that we will soon see evidence of all our hard work. The types of projects that will be undertaken by the centers will benefit not only the University but also the state and the country.

Hail Purdue!

Dennis Savaiano
Dean

Read more about the gifts from Bill and Sally Hanley and Ben and Maxine Miller.

Professor Emerita Mary Louise Foster, BS '42, MS '54, received the 2005 Special Boilermaker Award. Foster served on the Purdue faculty from 1955 until her retirement in 1987. She is now a part-time academic advisor in the Department of Consumer Sciences and Retailing. Read more about Foster and her award.

CFS alumna Mary K. "Kitty" Decker, BS '67, and her husband, Ken, a 1964 mechanical engineering graduate, were recognized by President Martin C. Jischke for their support of a variety of scholarships and other University programs. The Deckers of Lafayette, Indiana, have contributed more than $1 million in deferred and outright gifts to Purdue. Among the many scholarships they have established is the Watts Family Scholarship in CFS. Read more about the Deckers.

This year's shopping forecast is good for consumers, says Richard Feinberg, retail expert and professor in the Department of Consumer Sciences and Retailing. High gas and home heating prices mean fewer shopping trips by consumers, so retailers must offer bargains, sales, and promotions to "compel" spending. Read more about Feinberg's forecast.

CFS Dean Dennis Savaiano is quoted in an online article on Yahoo! News about the increase in the number of men enrolled in consumer and family sciences programs around the country. "Today's the golden age of home ec," says Dean Savaiano. "We're directing all the same issues -- family, food, and finance -- in a much broader, societal way. These are issues that transcend the home and reflect society in every way." Read the full article.

The Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management has completed another successful season of the Darden Series: HTM Executives in the Classroom. This year's schedule featured several industry leaders, including Kelly Baltes (right), executive vice president of operations for Red Lobster of Darden Restaurants. The series brings industry executives to campus so students can learn about industry trends and what they need to know to succeed. Read more about the Darden Series.

Congratulations to the Purdue Selling Team that participated in the Regional Sales Competition at Ball State University. Devan Fraser, a selling and sales management student, earned first place. Jeff Lind, also a selling and sales management major, won first place among Purdue non-finalists.

The Indiana Extension Educator Association honored several CFS Extension educators at their annual banquet. Those recognized were Rebecca Haynes, Marion County; Joanne Lytton, Carroll County; and Eddie Sutton, St. Joseph County. Read more about the award winners.

Charles Calahan, assistant clinical professor, Department of Child Development and Family Studies, was inducted as a fellow into the Purdue Teaching Academy, which recognizes outstanding contributions to teaching and learning on campus. Read more about the Purdue Teaching Academy.

Mary Oester, secretary, Department of Consumer Sciences and Retailing, received a certificate for 25 years of service to the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service from Epsilon Sigma Phi Honorary.

Mike Trotter, executive director, Center for Customer Driven Quality, moderated a panel discussion on self-service and technology in customer care at the Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals in Business (SOCAP) national meeting in San Francisco.

Patti Warrington, assistant professor, Department of Consumer Sciences and Retailing, received the Young Achievers/Emerging Professional Award for 2005 from the Council of Alumni and Friends of the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona.

December 18: Winter Commencement

February 7-8: Midwest Career Conference

April 1: Spring Fashion Show

April 1: HTM Black Tie Dinner

April 7: Felker Leadership Conference

April 7: CFS Alumni Awards & Outstanding Senior Dinner

April 8-9: Spring Fest

April 9-10: Gala Weekend

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