April Allen (Assistant Professor, TMI) and Becky Gill (Lecturer, TMI) have joined the faculty of the Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Interiors.

Elizabeth Andress (Associate Professor, Foods and Nutrition) has been named this year's recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award by Albright College in Reading, PA. She also serves on the college's nutrition science advisory board.

Carolyn Berdanier (Professor Emerita, Foods and Nutrition) was recognized for her tremendous accomplishments in research focusing on obesity and diabetes during a statewide obesity conference held in spring 2003 and sponsored by the Department of Foods and Nutrition in conjunction with the Georgia Center for the Prevention of Obesity and Related Diseases and the Medical College of Georgia. In addition to conducting leading-edge research and serving as a senior mentor to graduate students and faculty, Dr. Berdanier also served as head of the FDN department for 11 years.

Don Bower (Professor, Child and Family Development) has been promoted to the position of professor.

Arthur Grider (Associate Professor, Foods and Nutrition) has been promoted to the position of associate professor with tenure.

Nolan Etters (Professor, Textiles, Merchandising and Interiors) has published a series of articles focusing on his life in textiles and how the industry has changed. The articles have been published in Southern Textile News and the Chester County News and Reporter. Etters was the son and grandson of mill workers in South Carolina and spent a number of years with Dan Rivers Textiles Co. prior to joining FACS.

Joan Fischer (Associate Professor, Foods and Nutrition) has been appointed to the Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Dietitians.

Jerry Gale (Professor, Child and Family Development) and Leslie Simons (Assistant Professor, Child and Family Development) have been selected for the Institute for Behavioral Research mentoring program for 2003-04. They each submitted a prospectus of the goals they want to achieve in developing behavioral and social science research projects.

The McPhaul Child Development Center has received $2,800 from the Athens Area Junior League for a butterfly garden and nature area at the Carlton Street facility.

Rebecca Moore (FACS Extension Agent, Thomas County) has been awarded the 2003 FACS Outreach Award for Outstanding County Agent. Stacee Farrell, (Program Specialist, Institute on Human Development and Disability) received the FACS Outreach Award for Outstanding Staff. Betty Sabbath, (EFNEP Program Assistant, Clarke County) received the FACS Outreach Award for Outstanding Paraprofessional; and Diane Bales, (Associate Professor, Child and Family Development) received the FACS Outstanding Award for Faculty.

Debbie Purvis (FACS Extension Agent, Colquitt County) received the National Program of Excellence Award from the National Extension Committee on Policy for Project TAMS, in which she works with pregnant teens to improve their nutritional habits and understanding of the needs of their babies.

Charlotte Wallinga (Associate Professor, Child and Family Development) has been named Educator of the Year by the Georgia Association on Young Children.

Diane Wood (Degree Program Specialist, Student Services) was named the 2002-03 recipient of the Nettie Marie Nickols Outstanding Staff Performance Award. The selection is made by the FACS Staff Council Executive Committee. In nominating her, Dr. Jan Hathcote noted that Wood "anticipates problems and offers solutions for faculty striving to reach positive outcomes for all parties. While the work is very focused and detailed, she reaches out to students, staff and faculty in her friendly manner." Wood has been with FACS for 22 years. She also is the mother of FACS graduate Becky Wood Carlan (BSFCS '98, Consumer Economics and Housing) and Kristy Wood Ledford.