Breaking News
New Research Explores Biology and Behavior Links
The Center for Family Research, led by Gene Brody (Professor, Human Development and Family Science) has been awarded three new grants, totaling nearly $6 million. The grants are funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Drug Abuse and the National Institute of Mental Health.
Research funded by the grants will explore how stress creates biological changes that forecast the development of chronic diseases; how family relationships and parenting practices can override genetic risks for youth substance use and behavior problems; and how proven prevention programs that deter youths substance use and risky behavior save government resources.
Johnson Named First Bill and June Flatt Professor in Foods and Nutrition
Mary Ann Johnson (Professor, Foods and Nutrition) has been named the first Bill and June Flatt Professor in Foods and Nutrition.
“Dr. Johnson is a leader in the field of nutrition and aging,” according to Dean Laura Jolly. “In collaboration with local, state and federal agencies, she has developed, implemented and evaluated evidence-based intervention programs designed to increase physical activity, improve dietary habits and improve self-management of diabetes and other age-related conditions in older people.”
Johnson’s outreach and research programs have received continuous funding for nearly 25 years. She is a national spokesperson for the American Society of Nutrition and received the 2007 Georgia Diabetes Coalition Research Award.
Johnson also serves as graduate coordinator for the Department of Foods and Nutrition. She has been the major professor for more than 30 graduate students and mentored many more.
“I’m just as proud as I can be,” said Bill Flatt, who endowed the professorship along with his wife, June. “She’s a great teacher, researcher and mentor-leader of the graduate program. She’s nationally and internationally recognized for her outstanding abilities. She’s a great choice.”
Flatt is professor emeritus of foods and nutrition. He has been a part of the UGA faculty since 1969 and served as dean of the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences for 13 years. In addition to the professorship, the Flatts have established a number of scholarship endowments for undergraduate and graduate students.
“Dr. Flatt has been a role model in what it means to be a faculty member through his enthusiastic support of both his colleagues and his students,” Johnson said. “His ongoing dedication to research, outreach and teaching demonstrates the interconnectedness of those roles.”
Gym Dogs Win 4th National Title
FACS students Courtney Kupets (Senior, Furnishings and Interiors), Hillary Mauro (Sophomore, Consumer Journalism), Cassidy McComb (Sophomore, Human Development and Family Science), and Courtney McCool (Junior, Human Development and Family Science) were a part of the Georgia Gym Dogs winning their fourth straight national title this spring. Among their accomplishments, McCool took first place in the floor exercise.
FFP Team Takes 2nd In National Competition
Matt Barber (BSFCS ’08, Family Financial Planning), Jon Birdsong (BSFCS ’08, Family Financial Planning), and Jason Eagle (Senior, Family Financial Planning) placed second in the Ameriprise Financial Planning Invitational held April 23-24 in Minneapolis.
This was the first time FACS had entered a team in the national competition, which included nearly 40 colleges nationwide that offer degrees registered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. The team was one of eight chosen for the finals based on a comprehensive financial plan developed for theoretical clients. The finalists presented their plans to a four-judge panel and competed in a three-hour quizbowl that tested the students’ knowledge of core areas of financial planning.
“It was our first time to compete,” says Joseph Goetz, the team’s adviser and an assistant professor of housing and consumer economics. “We were one of only two schools that had not been to the competition in previous years, and we were also the ‘youngest’ financial planning program competing. These are the factors that make it that much more impressive that our students finished second nationally.”
The family financial planning major was established in fall 2006 and had its first graduates in May 2007. Each student received $500, and the college received $5,000 to support the financial planning program.
Chilly Dawg - Come Run With Us
The inaugural Chilly Dawg 5K Run/Walk will be held Saturday, Jan. 31.
Sponsored by the FACS Alumni Association, the race will begin at 9 a.m. at Sandy Creek Park, which is located a short distance from the UGA campus. Proceeds will support FACS scholarships and other projects.
Registration is $17 per person if you sign up by Jan. 23, 2009. Or, you can sign up your entire family for $50. Other options include a UGA-student discount registration fee of $10 and a $12 no-shirt option. Late registration is $20 per person.
All those pre-registered will receive long-sleeve T-shirts. T-shirts will be given to late registrants as available.
Awards will be presented to the overall male and female finishers; overall male and female masters finishers, and the top three finishers in age groups from age 10-and-under to age 75-and-over.
To register and for more information, go to www.fcs.uga.edu/alumni.
