FACS Day at the Capitol Brings Leaders Together from Across the State

On February 16, 2023, the University of Georgia’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) visited the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta to celebrate the annual Family and Consumer Sciences Day. The event had over 30 participants, including Dean Anisa Zvonkovic, Associate Dean Sheri Worthy, and Associate Dean Allisen Penn, as well as students, faculty, alumni, and staff from the University of Georgia (UGA) and Fort Valley State University (FVSU).
Members of the FACS community were presented with two resolutions, which recognized and commended the College of Family and Consumer Sciences and UGA FACS Extension for their work in assisting Georgians in developing life skills, such as personal finance and healthy-eating lifestyles. These resolutions were sponsored and presented by Rep. Houston Gaines and Sen. Frank Ginn of the Athens delegation.
Along with two resolutions, the group was presented with a proclamation from Gov. Brian Kemp declaring February 16, 2023, as Family and Consumer Sciences Day in Georgia. Governor Kemp and First Lady Mary Kemp, a FACS graduate, joined the group for a photo at the beginning of the day.
After the proclamation was presented, and Senate resolution was read, FACS students and staff attended a luncheon where they heard from the current Family and Consumer Sciences Legislative Aides, Chris Collins and Sarah Tauchert, and a FACS alum, Lynsey Singleton.
Following the luncheon, the group was given the opportunity to either watch the House session or sit in on the Senate’s Children and Families committee to gain first-hand experience and knowledge about the political process and how it relates to families and consumers.
Meg Gulledge, a Human Development and Family Sciences major at the University of Georgia said, "It was really interesting to see the House of Representatives in action. As an HDFS major, I enjoyed seeing how family policy comes about in real life."