Letter from the Dean
Exciting Times!
The past several months have been so exciting! With the help of alumni, students faculty and staff we have hired a new dean, Linda Kirk Fox, and a new head of the Department of Foods and Nutrition, Lynn Bailey. I invite you to read about these highly accomplished professionals in the Breaking News section and look for longer articles in future issues of FACS Magazine. Two highly experienced researchers—Chalandra Bryant and Kandauda Wickrama—have joined our Department of Child and Family Development in recent months and already are busy with research and teaching. You can learn more about Drs. Bryant and Wickrama in the New Faculty section. And, we're in the process of filling several additional faculty positions, including the UGA Athletic Association Professorship in Family Financial Planning.
Dr. Fox will begin her tenure as dean of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences on July 6 while Dr. Bailey will be on board in early August. I hope you'll look for opportunities to welcome both of them during events such as this fall's South Campus Tailgate. The arrival of new administrators is a great time to take a fresh look at what we're doing and we are all looking forward to working with Dr. Fox to make our college even stronger!
While it's exciting to have new faces in the college, our current faculty also are doing a terrific job! Clifton Baile, a foods and nutrition professor, has been chosen as a fellow in the prestigious American Association for the Advancement of Science, as well as being named by UGA Vice President for Research David Lee to direct the university's obesity initiative. Other faculty who have been recognized for their accomplishments include former Dean Sharon Nickols, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association on Family and Consumer Sciences and was inducted into our own Honor Hall of Recognition; and Ian Hardin, a textile, merchandising and interiors professor, who has been named the winner of this year's Olney Medal for his achievements in textile chemistry. We're also very proud of Emily Blalock, a lecturer in our fashion merchandising program, who was named the University of Georgia Advisor of the Year!
Of course, when we're talking about excitement we can't leave out our students! Just days before graduating with a degree in housing, Russell Henley won the Stadion Classic golf tournament here in Athens. Russell is only the second amateur ever to win a Nationwide tour event!
I have felt honored to serve as interim dean during these past several months. The faculty, staff and students have all risen to the occasion in helping me and helping our college. However, I'm looking forward to returning to my position as head of the Department of Housing and Consumer Economics and joining our other department heads in providing Dr. Fox all the support she needs to ensure that the College of Family and Consumer Sciences continues its successes in teaching, research and service. We have a lot to look forward to in this coming year.
Thank you,
Anne L. Sweaney
