Winners

Monica Pang

Hines Ward (BSFCS ’98, Consumer Economics) and Monica Pang (BSFCS ’04, Consumer Journalism) were both big winners in recent competitions.

Pang was the first runner-up in this year’s Miss America contest. Pang (who was featured in the fall 2005 issue of FACS Magazine) will stay busy with her duties as Miss Georgia until relinquishing her crown in July.

Hines Ward

Ward, meanwhile, walked away with the Most Valuable Player trophy following the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL.

Ward set up the Steelers’ first touchdown with a 37-yard catch and later added a 43-yard touchdown reception.

Dean’s Search Under Way

Maureen Grasso Search Committee Head

Faculty, staff, students and supporters of FACS have been meeting since December as part of the search for the sixth dean of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. Current dean, Sharon Y. Nickols, will return to her position as a professor of Housing and Consumer Economics effective July 1.

“We have advertised in a wide variety of higher education publications and contacted colleagues throughout the nation for nominations,” according to Maureen Grasso, dean of the University of Georgia’s Graduate School and a member of the Textiles, Merchandising and Interiors faculty. “We’ve received a number of applications and look forward to carefully and thoughtfully reviewing them prior to beginning the interview process.”

Once the search committee has determined the leading candidates, on-campus interviews will be scheduled. These interviews will include meetings with FACS faculty, staff and students, as well as meetings with President Michael Adams, Provost Arnett Mace and other campus administrators.
“In order to protect the confidentiality of those who have applied, we’re not discussing any candidates until the public phase of the interview process begins,” Grasso said.

The start date for the new dean also hasn’t been established.

“Although it would be ideal if a new dean could begin working July 1,” Grasso said. “It’s much more important, however, to ensure that the next dean of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences be able to provide the high quality of leadership that we’ve become accustomed to during Dean Nickols’ tenure.”

Tom Rodgers Named UGA Alumni Association Winner

Tom Rodgers

Tom Rodgers (Professor Emeritus, Housing and Consumer Economics) has been named the winner of the 2006 UGA Alumni Association Faculty Service Award.

In a six-page nomination letter, Rodgers’ supporters noted his accomplishments that began with his first position as a community and rural development specialist with the Cooperative Extension Service in 1972, led to his service heading the 4-H and Youth Program from 1978-1993, and his many additional accomplishments as head of county operations for the Cooperative Extension Service, associate vice president for public service and outreach and associate dean for outreach and Extension in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

“Through a combination of his vast knowledge of the state, his desire to make the world a better place and sheer persistence,” the nomination letter states, “Dr. Rodgers has marshaled significant resources to help Georgia families overcome the obstacles many face in their daily lives.”

Nutrition Pioneer Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Josephine Martin

Josephine Martin (BSHE ’47) of Decatur has been awarded the 2006 Gene White Lifetime Achievement Award for Child Nutrition by the School Nutrition Association. The presentation was made in Washington, D.C. in late March as a part of the national School Nutrition Association’s annual gala.
Martin’s contributions began with her employment as the assistant school lunch director at the Georgia Department of Education in 1950. In 1991, she created the national Food Service Management Institute at the University of Mississippi. She now lives in Decatur and continues to work as a consultant on child nutrition.
Throughout her career Martin has remained a fervent advocate for child nutrition, influencing legislation at all levels. In particular, she was instrumental in developing the federal Child Nutrition Act, which was passed in 1970 and provides low-income children lunch and breakfast free or at a reduced-cost as well as meals through summer programs.