The winners of this year’s Inspiring Families and Building Communities Award are two wonderful examples of how collaboration within a community can truly make a difference for Hoosier families.

At the Indiana Women’s Prison, community organizations are providing programming and financial support for a network of resources aimed at helping incarcerated mothers, their children, and the children’s caregivers. Through efforts such as a children’s center located inside the prison where mothers can visit with their children and a summer camp, the Indiana Women’s Prison is fostering the connection between incarcerated mothers and their children. This is important as it helps reduce the recidivism rate among the mothers and also provides support to the children, who are at high risk for incarceration themselves.

In Noble County where 24 percent of adults aged 25 and older do not have a high school diploma, community leaders saw a need for a county-wide literacy initiative. Collaborating with the National Center for Family Literacy, the community launched the Literacy Empowering and Advocating Project (LEAP) in 2000. Through LEAP, students of all ages can receive one-on-one homework help and tutoring, adult learners can earn a GED in English or Spanish, and parents can attend early childhood education and parenting classes. LEAP also provides a quality after-school program. By all measures — program participation, academic growth demonstrated by students, and community support —  LEAP is a success, and is empowering individuals with literacy skills that promote lifelong learning.

Please join me in recognizing these outstanding efforts that are improving the well-being of Indiana families. 

Hail Purdue!
Dennis Savaiano
Dean

The preschool years are recognized as a critical time to help children get ready for school, and research indicates that high quality pre-kindergarten programs can be especially beneficial for children at risk for school failure because of poverty, disability, and language differences. Find out more about research in the Department of Child Development and Family Studies that is exploring effective ways to promote school readiness in the preschool years.

During the summer months, an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables combined with the chance to grill foods offers many tasty alternatives to high-fat foods. For example, grilled chicken breasts, turkey tenders, and lamb kabobs make great alternatives to high-sodium hot dogs and hamburgers. Laura Palmer, a CFS Extension specialist in foods and nutrition, offers suggestions for appetizing and nutritious summer meals.

Gilbert Leveille, who has distinguished himself in the area of nutritional research, received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree during spring commencement. Currently the executive director of the Wrigley Science Institute, Leveille has a long history of mentoring and supporting faculty members in Purdue’s Department of Foods and Nutrition. His work laid the foundation for evaluating the safety and efficacy of foods as part of a healthy diet for an aging population and also contributed significantly to the understanding of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Read more about Gilbert Leveille.

Child Development and Family Studies

• Kelly Bremer and Kimberly Congress, both juniors in youth, adult, and family services, were elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa, an honorary society in the liberal arts and sciences.
• Germán Posada was promoted to associate professor.
• Andrea Wittenborn received the 2007 Norma H. Compton Outstanding Doctoral Student Award.

Consumer Sciences and Retailing

• Tina Alsup, secretary, received the department's Outstanding Service Award.
• Sandra Liu, associate professor, received the department's Outstanding Research Award.
• Nancy Strickler, clinical assistant professor, received the department's Outstanding Teaching Award.

Foods and Nutrition

• Wayne Campbell was promoted to professor.
• Sara Hendrinkson received the 2007 Beulah Gillaspie Outstanding Master’s Student Award.
• Richard Mattes, professor, received the Provost’s Award for Outstanding Faculty Mentor.

Hospitality and Tourism Management

• Ray Kavanaugh, head and professor, completed his term as chair of the board for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) at the annual restaurant show in Chicago. During the show, he served as master of ceremonies for the Salute to Excellence Student Forum where the nation’s top 200 hospitality students get to learn from and interact with top leaders in the restaurant industry.
• Sheryl Kline, associate professor, received the college’s Mary L. Matthews Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching.
• Xinran Lehto was promoted to associate professor.
• Emily McDonald, a junior, was selected as an Indianapolis 500 Festival Princess.

June 22: Boiler Mixer at Kraft Kitchens

July 9–12: Call Center Campus

July 14: Purdue Day in Chicago, Brookfield Zoo

August 15: Purdue Day at Indiana State Fair

September 21: Center on Aging and the Life Course Symposium

September 24–25: HTM Career Day

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