In writing about Shelly Nickols-Richardson (MS '94, PhD '98), Don Bower notes that she served both as "Diploma Elf" and "Commencement Liner-Upper" during her years at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Far more seriously, Bower, professor emeritus of Human Development and Family Science and past president of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, comments on Nickols-Richardson's numerous professional achievements.
"She is a stalwart member of AAFCS," Bower says in a letter of support, "having served in a variety of state and national roles," including as president of AAFCS in 2008-2009 and presiding over the association's centennial celebration. "Shelly exemplifies the qualities targeted by the Pou Award," he says. "She has national and international stature attained by only a few FACS professionals, and even then, late in their careers."
Rick Lewis, Nickols-Richardson's major professor while she was completing her PhD, says one of his first thoughts when reviewing her vita was, "When does she sleep?" Nickols-Richardson began her career at Virginia Tech in 1998. In 2003, she joined the nutritional sciences faculty at Pennsylvania State University and is currently a professor. Among her accomplishments, Nickols-Richardson has a lengthy list of published research in prominent journals, in addition to directing her department's graduate program. She also has achieved one of the highest honors for a nutrition researcher—selection to the Dietary Guidelines Committee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
In addition to her research, Nickols-Richardson has a record of commitment to teaching and outreach. "It is uncommon to find a faculty member who has the unique skills to blend all three missions successfully," Lewis says. "The majority of senior faculty members in the field of nutrition and dietetics will never make the contributions to the field that Dr. Nickols-Richardson has accomplished already in her relatively brief career."
Make your nominations for the
2012 Family and Consumer Sciences
Alumni Association awards online.
2012 Alumni Awards Nominations Due Oct. 1, 2012
Categories include:
• Pacesetter Award (alumni fewer
than 10 years out of school)
• Outstanding Service Award
• Emily Quinn Pou Professional Achievement Award
• Distinguished Alumni Award
• Creswell Award
• Friend of FACS
Help us recognize the outstanding contributions by the graduates of our college! Nominations are accepted online at ww.fcs.uga.edu/alumni/nomination_form.html.
