Human Sciences magazine

PHIL SHOCKLEY/UNIVERSITY MARKETING

f rom the DEAN’S OFFICE

“Learning is not attained by chance; it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.”

– Abigail Adams

Dr. Jennifer Hays-GrudoDepartment Head, Human

Development and Family Science

Dr. Ben GohAssistant Dean and Director, School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration

I like to think Abigail Adams described the progress from the College of Human Sciences’ birth to today. “Learning is not attained by chance; it must be sought for with ardor and attend-ed to with diligence.” Her observations reflect the genesis of the College of Human Sciences and its future as we have diligently taken the steps to provide the needed tools and space for learning to occur for the 21st century. Today more than 2,000 graduate and undergraduate students are preparing for careers in medicine, law, education, interi-or design, hospitality management, apparel design, dietetics, marketing, marriage and family therapy, sales and just about any field that has anything to do with improv-ing the human condition. Our graduates are equipped for global citizenship with tools to explore new expe-riences and examine ways to find solutions for the challenges of our rapidly changing world. In order to continue to provide the experiences for which the college is known,

a new building wing is on our horizon. After almost four years of discussing, measuring, dream-ing, drawing, imag-ining, plotting and planning, we will be breaking ground this fall just north of our current building.

The College of Human Sciences has come a long way since the first domestic economy classes were offered to 50 students in 1900 by Oklahoma A&M. While the study of food, shelter, clothing and relationships continue to be the core of our curriculum, those students of 1900 would be quite astonished today by the quantity, quality and sophistication of the courses and research in the College of Human Sciences.

I also am pleased to introduce new members of the College of Human Sciences leadership team in the Department of Human Development and Family Science and the School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration. Jennifer Hays-Grudo joined us last July 1 as the head of Human Development and Family Science. Before coming to OSU, she was the Kaiser Chair in Community Medicine at the University of Oklahoma’s School of Community Medicine in Tulsa, where she developed research on commu-nity-based health promotion and disease prevention. She served as a professor of internal medicine at Texas A&M College of Medicine at Scott & White Health Care Systems and as a faculty member at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston as the director of the Center for Women’s Health and the senior director of health promotions. Beginning Aug. 1, Ben Goh will be the assistant dean and director of the School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration. He is coming from Texas Tech Univer-sity’s restaurant, hotel and institutional management program where he has served as professor and has more than 20 years in academic administration. He has served as associate dean of Tech’s College of Human Sciences and as associate department chair for the Department of Nutrition, Hospital-ity and Retailing from 1992-2001. During that time, he led the establishment of the doctoral program in hospitality adminis-tration. Goh received a bachelor’s degree

in restaurant, hotel and institutional management and an MBA from Texas Tech. His doctorate of education is from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He recently completed a Ful-bright Scholar position in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Bangkok University. We look forward to their expertise and lead-ership to both academic units and the college.As we have contem-plated our future, we have looked at our founders’ legacy only to discover the foundation they started has been fortified by pioneering, dynamic and innovative graduates who have made a difference in untold lives. This issue reveals just a few of those alums who illustrate the strong core begun more than a century ago. We also share the future with profiles of the 2014 Seniors of Distinction. We also are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Co-operative Extension and the efforts being made for the residents of the great state of Oklahoma. I am encouraged by your interest and support as we continue to build on the strong foundation the leaders of OSU established in 1900.

STEPHAN M. WILSON, DEAN

n April 4, Dean Stephan Wilson announced plans to add a new

three-level wing to the north side of the college’s 63-year-old building on Mon-roe Street. A multipurpose hall, a pub-lic-private partners’ suite, educational dining spaces, faculty offices and more will be in the new wing. The expansion will also provide a main entrance for the landmark building that will act as a bookend to the new Heritage Walk, one of the major pedestrian thoroughfares on the Stillwater campus. “As we are moving rapidly through the 21st century, we must continue building upon our heritage of donor in-vestments to create the next generation of state-of-the-art laboratories and spac-es to push the boundaries of discovery of today into the world of tomorrow,” Wilson says. A variety of technology-enriched laboratories will be introduced with the new space, he says. These include virtual and augmented reality labs to provide realistic experiences for retail merchan-dising and interior design; industry-stan-dard hospitality labs; and interactive spaces that will allow students to practice calmly and professionally solv-ing problems with “virtual customers, virtual parents and virtual counseling.” “Frankly, the list of possibilities for this new, vital space is limited only by

SOLID FOUNDATIONBUILDING ON A

WITH NEWS OF BUILDING RENOVATIONS AND THE ADDITION OF A THIRD WING, YEARS OF DREAMING, PLANNING AND HARD WORK WILL SOON BECOME A REALITY FOR THE COLLEGE OF HUMAN SCIENCES.

the imagination,” he says. “Now is the time for the College of Human Sciences to build the future.” The college moved into its current building in 1951 with room for 600 students and 25 faculty members. It was lauded for its innovative labs and learning spaces at the time. Today, over 2,000 students are enrolled in the col-lege’s various degree programs and are led by more than 200 faculty and staff members. “Facilities in and of themselves don’t transform things; people transform things. But people need facilities to accomplish what they do,” says OSU President Burns Hargis. “Our students need those facilities; our faculty and staff need those facilities. They have to have equipment and stay current and state of the art. That’s what is going to happen here. It’s not just the new part of the building, either. The new wing will provide additional space for other areas to grow.” The 76,706-square-foot wing will enhance engagement, improve experien-tial learning opportunities and increase the college’s presence on campus to better serve the community and better reflect its significance at OSU, says Jeff Fenimore, a representative from DLR Group, the architectural firm designing the expansion. The design will mirror

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“The list of possibilities for this new, vital space is limited only by the imagination. Now is the time for the College of Human Sciences to build the future.”

— Stephan Wilson, Dean

C O N T I N U E S

Top: A birds-eye view shows the new 76,706-square foot wing that will be added to the north side of the College of Human Sciences’ existing building.

Right: Dean Stephan Wilson addresses donors, faculty, staff and friends of the college during the Building Launch event on April 4, 2014.

BY AMANDA O’TOOLE MASON

GARY LAWSON/UNIVERSITY MARKETING

COURTESY DLR GROUP

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the vision and mission of the college, including an extensive use of windows to provide portals into working labs, increasing the transparency within the College of Human Sciences, which has a broad variety of fields of study within hospitality, design, merchandising, nutrition and human development. Second-year master’s student Lauren

Oseland has been a part of the planning process since she hosted town-hall meet-ings to gather students’ input on the building while she was an undergradu-ate in human development and family science and president of the college student council. “Watching the building come to fruition is a thrill to me,” she says. “The

The new 76,706-square-foot wing will include a multipurpose Great Hall (far top right), educational dining spaces such as the Center for Beverage education (above right), a variety of technology-enriched laboratories including a sewn-products lab (far bottom right) and public display areas such as the gallery (above left) to feature faculty and student projects.

designs you see today are an integration of ideas proposed by students within our college. It truly is a building by the students, for the students.” Wilson says the college plans to break ground in the next several months. To date, $16.5 million of the $25 million goal has been raised. Several Dream Maker donors, whose early gifts and commitments are leading the way for the building project, attended the announcement. Micki Jeffery, a 1970 Human Scienc-es graduate, was one of the first donors to contribute to the building fund in 2008. “I was invited to an associates meet-ing, and they told us about the project,” she says. “I just got fired up. I attended classes in the building in the late ’60s and early ’70s, and the building was OK, but it was very old. I didn’t want the programs to die, so I made my first donation.” Jeffery, who has been a home eco-nomics teacher, a home economist for Kansas City Power and Light, a dietitian and a child psychologist, says she knows

well that the college provides students relevant skills to succeed in the workforce. “It’s not cooking and sewing anymore,” Jeffery says, citing the college’s heritage in home economics. “I love all the people involved in the building project, and I like working for a cause. It makes me feel a part of OSU.” Wilson says early investors such as Jeffery are leading by example. “We are ready for others to follow this dream,” he says, mentioning that a group of donors recently pooled their investments to make a major gift for the building. He’s hopeful others will follow. “Maybe they will team together from an era, a major, a location, a life experience. We hope you will think about your own individual gift as well as gifts that could bring communities together. “We are excited to see this dream become a reality,” he says. •

Dream Building Donors The College of Human Sciences and the OSU Foundation extend our deepest appreciation to the DreamMaker and DreamBuilder Donors whose gifts and commitments have led the way for the building project.

The impact of this expansion will be far-reaching. Naming opportunities for this innovative project abound. The OSU Foundation can help you connect your passions with the vision of the College of Human Sciences.

For information on naming opportunities or to make a gift to the building project, please contact:

STEPHANIE VOGEL, EdD, CFRESenior Director of Development | Oklahoma State University Foundation400 S. Monroe | Stillwater, OK 74074phone: 405.385.5615 | cell: 405.564.4202 | [email protected]

Get Involved!

PHOTOS COURTESY DLR GROUP

Jane and Jim AndersonNancy and Jack BettsTammy and Michael BurkeDawn Cardi and Ken KinzerBraum’sTina CastleberryBryan CloseCattlemen's Steakhouse

DreamBuilder Donors (gifts/commitments made to the building from April 5, 2014 to present – as of May 30, 2014)

DreamMaker Donors (gifts/commitments made to the building prior to April 4, 2014)

Allison BowmanDebbie and David CampbellRichard and Jan Carden

Cleo L. Craig FoundationDavis Family FundE.L. & Thelma Gaylord FoundationRick and David Haynes – Johnnie’s Charcoal Broiler Inc.The Original Hideaway, StillwaterRachel HoelscherHuman Sciences Partners Group

Sheree and Pete HollowayJosephine HudsonMicki JefferyJennifer and Steven JornsBen E. Keith FoodsJacqueline LochmillerThe J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation

Dee and Chuck MarshallEmerging Brands Inc., Kim McLendonKathleen and Joe PrichardRobert Glenn Rapp FoundationDonald W. Reynolds Foundation, in honor of Robert E. Slater, TrusteeAlyce (Mangus) and Mark ScrivnerSheriann and Ed Slyman

Juanita K. Sodowsky EstateStephanie and Jason VogelKathleen and Stephan WilsonTom Winslow

Michael and Patricia DelgadoScott NessWade Jennings Beard

Janet KobialkaTodd and Desirae NixonMartin and Deanna Olds

Michelle (Overstreet) and Derek Schrader

4 SPRING 2014 5COLLEGE OF HUMAN SCIENCES

TODD JOHNSON/OSU AG. COMM. SERVICES

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FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES

CELEBRATESCentennialO

James Trapp, Claud Evans, Tanya Fitchum and Dean Stephan Wilson unveiled a portrait of Annie Peters Hunter to be displayed on the first floor of the Human Sciences building. The first federally appointed black home extension agent in the United States, Hunter worked in several counties in Okla.

LINDY KNOWLES

100klahoma State University Cooper-ative Extension Service has spent a

century turning small steps into giant strides through programs that make deep, mean-ingful and lasting impressions on the lives of Oklahomans. In spring 2014, extension

services across the country celebrated their 100th birthdays. While educational outreach activities in agriculture and domestic science had been delivered across the state of Oklahoma since 1900, the passage of the Smith-Lever Act

in 1914 provided funding to land-grant universities to expand the programs in rural America.Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service op-erates offices with specialists on staff in all 77 Oklahoma counties providing science-based information on agriculture, economic devel-opment, family and consumer sciences, and youth development. The College of Human Sciences houses

the Family and Consumer Sciences unit of OSU’s Extension programs. The unit includes county educators and extension specialists who focus on such issues as health, hunger, environment, finances, family breakdown, jobs and employment, resilience, risky behaviors, safety and youth development. Each FCS educator works with the county, dis-trict and state to bring resources and education to their area to address issues affecting people’s daily lives. “We help people learn how they can take charge and be successful in all aspects of their life,” says Jorge Atiles, associate dean of extension and engagement. County educators were busy in 2013. They conducted “Co-Par-enting Through Divorce” classes

for 1,500 participants. Through financial literacy education sessions, more than 27,000 participants were reached. Thirty-five hundred individuals received homebuyer ed-ucation resulting in 33% of class participants purchasing a home. The Community Nutrition Education Program (CNEP), partnering with Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Oklahoma Depart-ments of Education and Health, reached over 37,000 low income Oklahomans. Decreased household food insecurity, increased con-sumption of fruits and vegetables and lifestyle behavior changes were documented shifts in improving health.. Over 22,000 Oklahoma youth and 1,120 community volunteers in 31 counties expe-rienced the Farm to You traveling exhibit. Significant improvements in food choice and nutrition knowledge have been reported since the program began in 2009. In addition to a January ceremony presid-ed over by Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb and OSU President Burns Hargis, the College of Human Sciences and FCS also hosted a celebration during Human Sciences Week in April. Human Sciences faculty, administra-tion, current and retired educators reminisced on the past and shared their hopes and plans for the future of the FCS programs. James Trapp, associate director of OCES,

spoke to the group on the historical impor-tance of extension in Oklahoma and what the future holds. “For 100 years, Extension educators and specialists have worked one-on-one, side-by-side with Oklahomans to solve local issues and assist families with everyday challenges,” Trapp says. “For us, it’s personal. It always has been and it always will be.” “Extension’s mission is to harness all the research and know-how of land-grant institu-tions like Oklahoma State University and use it to help Oklahomans live the best lives pos-sible,” says James Trapp, associate director of OCES. “We’re proud of our history of putting that mission into action in Oklahoma.” A special ceremony during the FCS event honored Annie Peters Hunter of Boley, Okla., who was the first federally appointed black home demonstration agent in the United States. Her portrait hangs in the first floor gallery of the Human Sciences building. “Annie undoubtedly was a leader with a vision and dedication,” says Tanya Finchcum, OSU professor and oral history librarian. “Annie was an agent for more than 12 years, and when she vacated the position, it was immediately filled so the work she had begun would continue. That’s part of Annie’s legacy as an Extension worker.” Human Sciences Dean Stephan Wilson

believes Hunter’s role in FCS extension is not surprising and depicts the role the college has played educating women and minorities. “Through dedicated agents like Hunt-er, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension has delivered knowledge and changed lives for a century, Wilson says. “It stands poised to do the same for another 100 years through cutting-edge research, engaged teaching and strategic outreach.” OSU President Burns Hargis says Coopera-tive Extension Service is one of the important ways the university strengthens and improves Oklahoma. “As a land-grant university, our job is to train great talent, do great research and share that with our state, our nation and the world,” Hargis says. “For 100 years, Exten-sion has been changing lives by providing research-based expertise in everything from agriculture to health and nutrition to 4-H to community development. So, happy birthday to OSU’s Cooperative Extension and thanks for a century of service.” To learn more about Family and Consum-er Sciences Extension resources and activities, visit the website at www.fcs.okstate.edu. •

LEILANA MCKINDRA


he College of Human Sciences Partners Group is among the

DreamMakers contributing to the addition of a new wing to the college’s current building. The partners, composed of alum-ni and friends of the college, pledged $100,000 toward a large conference room in the second-floor Partners Suite. “Individually, these group members could not impact this college in such a meaningful way,” says Dean Stephan Wilson. “However, by pooling not only their financial resources but also their time and their talents, they will be remembered for their efforts for as long as this new building stands.” Formed about three years ago, the group’s mission is to “share the skills and expertise of its members with col-lege faculty, staff and students in order to enrich the overall educational expe-rience.” Last fall, the group organized into three action groups: mentoring, membership and fundraising. “Initially, our structure mirrored the model of the land-grant college,” says Jack Betts, president of the Partners Group. “But as there was more and

more discussion about the new building, it became clear that we needed more practical goals that weren’t duplicating things that the college was already do-ing. That set us on a path to finding our own niche.” The group’s niche, he believes, is in personally telling the story of the college, in a way that neither the OSU Alumni Association nor the OSU Foun-dation is equipped to do. Betts, whose wife Nancy is head of the Nutritional Sciences department, became active with the Partners Group after attending events with her and learning more about the college. “Basically, as I became acquainted with the faculty, administration and staff of the college, I realized what a good group of friendly, bright, creative,

talented people we have here,” he says. “If I weren’t married to Nancy, I probably wouldn’t be involved. But once you meet this group and interact with them, you realize that this is really fun. I guess I just got drawn in and liked what I saw.” The Partners Group is working on attracting new members as well. “We have to figure out how we can get an audience of the right people and how we can grab them with a com-pelling reason that this is worthwhile, this is something that they will want to contribute to,” Betts says. Partners Group Vice President Rebecca Eastham says she joined for the chance to “give back and to help shape and move the college forward.” She is an alumna and a former member of the

PARTNERST

Human Sciences Partners Group among first donors for new building wing

By pooling not only their financial resources but also their time and their talents, they will be remembered for their efforts for as long as this new building stands.”

– Dean Stephan Wilson

faculty who just completed her doctor-ate in human sciences with an emphasis in hospitality administration. She sees the Partners Group’s top priority as engaging alumni. “It’s a different kind of engagement even than belonging to the Alumni Association and going to a watch par-ty,” she says. “It’s more about getting back engaged with the college either on campus or the digital aspect — making sure we’ve got good data and we know where people are and what they’re doing and that we know what talents, resources and gifts they can bring to the college that they can share. We are trying to make that connection that they are part of the college for a lifetime.” •

LISA SMITH

Far left: Dean Stephan Wilson and Partners Group president Jack Betts discuss plans for the new Partners Suite.

Top left: Partners Group members Jack Betts and Mark Kreul join Dean Wilson and Jim Anderson for a reception following the building launch event.

Bottom left: Human Development and

Family Science department head Jennifer Hays-Grudo celebrates with Dean Wilson, Lauren Oseland and Lisa Smith.

Members of the College of Human Sciences Partners Group gathered in Taylor’s Dining Room during their spring meeting for round-table style discussion on how to engage alumni and help the college achieve its goals.

Help Pave the Way

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Become a Partner! The Partners Group is looking for energetic, creative people who want to have a lasting, positive impact on the College of Human Sciences. Members will share their time, talents and gifts with the faculty, staff and students of the college in a myriad of ways, from serving as mentors to bringing new friends to the college. Membership in the Partners Group is open to individuals who have been a student in any of the college’s academic programs or who are friends of the college. Those who are currently enrolled or employed by the college are also eligible to be partners. Partners Group members will be expected to meet in person at least twice a year, in the spring and fall, and as available for group activities. Ad-hoc committee meetings will take place as needed throughout the year by conference call, skype or webinar. Members also serve on one or more of three standing committees:

• Student Mentoring: Partners Group members have a wealth of experience and expertise to share with Human Sciences students in all departments. The Mentoring committee helps to organize the various skills and experiences of members so they can be shared with faculty and students.

• Fundraising: Partners help to identify individuals or organizations that might have an interest in providing financial support to the college. These efforts are closely coordinated with the OSU Foundation and the OSU Alumni Association. Membership: Partners are expected to participate in “friend-raising,” identifying and contacting appropriate friends or business associates who might wish to join the Group.

For information on how you can become a partner, please contact:

Lisa Smith, Special Projects Coordinator125 Human Sciences • Stillwater, OK 74078 405-744-4082 • [email protected]

COLLEGE OF HUMAN SC IENCES

PartnersGroup


1900

1932ola Lehman never had children of her own, but she sent thousands

to college. More than 75 years after earning her degree from Oklahoma State University, Lehman’s commit-ment to education and careful planning proved that a little generosity can go a long way. During the 1930s and the Great De-pression, Lehman and her sister, Lottie Herd, attended Oklahoma A&M with the help of $150 in scholarship funds. The two lived in a one-bedroom apart-ment and were forced to leave school twice because of financial difficulties. “It took me six years to get through college, because I had to take time off

to work and save my money,” Lehman said. In 1932, Lehman received a bach-elor’s degree in home economics from what is now the College of Human Sciences. She and her sister both went on to earn master’s degrees at other universities, but they never forgot the generosity shared with them through scholarships at OSU. Before she passed away in 2012 at the age of 102 in Woodward, Okla., Lehman committed the latter part of her life to helping students achieve their dreams of attending college despite financial concerns. “Lots of students have ambitions,

but feel like they can’t afford to pursue their dreams,” Lehman said. In 1974, she and her sister set out on a mission to assist those students. That year, Lehman and Herd estab-lished the Lola Lehman and Lottie Herd Scholarship in the College of Human Sciences and the Daniel C. and Mary L. Herd Memorial Scholarship in the College of Education in honor of their parents. Lehman has also made signif-icant contributions to the Edmon Low Library through an endowment fund. “My sisters and I all had better lives because of our OSU educations,” Lehman said. “I think back to the $150 we needed so desperately and how much

Generosity Lola Lehman and her sister have been helping OSU students since 1974


COURTESY LOLA LEHMAN

Sisters and OSU alumnae Lola Lehman and Lottie Herd stayed in school thanks to a scholarship and paid it forward by establish-ing two scholarships at OSU.

“Lots of students have ambitions, but feel like they can’t afford to

pursue their dreams.” — Lola Lehman

L it helped us to stay at OSU. Lottie and I were just doing our part to help students the way others helped us.” During the past 40 years, Lehman’s generosity has helped hundreds of stu-dents earn a degree from OSU through scholarships from the funds provided by the three endowments. More than 200 students have received scholarships from the Lola Lehman and Lottie Herd en-dowment fund in the College of Human Sciences. “We deeply appreciate the support Lola and her sister provided to students in the College of Human Sciences,” Dean Stephan Wilson says. “The scope of their influence is difficult to measure as it certainly extends to multiple gener-ations across the state of Oklahoma and beyond.” Of all her lifetime accomplishments, Lehman said that one of the things she is most proud of is the OSU scholarship she and her sister created. Both Lehman and Herd were recognized in 1989 by the College of Human Sciences as Distinguished Alumnae, and Lehman was named Oklahoma State University Philanthropist of the Year at the 2010 Women for OSU Leadership and Philan-thropy Council Spring Symposium. “We’re blessed in heaven for helping each other, and that’s not very common these days,” Lehman said. •

LINDSEY WILLIS

generation-spanning

building

For 114 years, students in the College of Human Sciences have been learning skills

to improve the human condition. From early courses in food canning and home

management to today’s degree programs including interior design, hotel administra-tion, dietetics and early childhood educa-

tion – innovative thinking has been key.

HereStillStill

ince 1900 the College of Human Sciences has transformed from a

program of 50 students to a world-class institution with more than 16,000 alum-ni and a curriculum that has changed to keep up with current issues and trends. These changes support the college’s vision to be a world leader in the discov-ery and application of knowledge. The College of Human Sciences has pioneered many program innovations. In 1924 the second early childhood ed-ucation laboratory in the nation was es-tablished. The first degree in hospitality management west of the Mississippi was offered in 1938, and the college created the first degree in merchandising. Today, the college continues to be focused on solving human problems. Research and instruction on how micro-nutrients affect infant cognitive development and the development of smart garments with electronics woven

in to send diagnostic information to physicians are just two examples of current projects. But the college’s true legacy — and its foundation as well — is its people. From the multitude of successful gradu-ates, we have selected alumni from each decade whose accomplishments reflect the college’s vision to prepare upcoming generations of professionals to advance the quality of life. You can see their de-grees have been applied to a broad range of professions and careers. Images from the decades and stories of success reveal a rich heritage of people who make a difference The college has evolved over time. The key to longevity is found in transformation. The transformation allows the college — which has changed its physical location several times — to continue to nurture, cultivate and grow its heritage as an influencer of the human condition. •

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PHOTOS COURTESY HUMAN SCIENCES

HISTORICAL COLLECTION10 SPRING 2014 11COLLEGE OF HUMAN SCIENCES

1958amona Ware Paul believed educating children is the foundation of every

state. Serving in the Oklahoma Department of Education from 1988 until her retirement in 2011, Paul directed Oklahoma’s efforts toward becoming a national leader in early childhood education. Paul’s path and passion for education be-gan in her early childhood. As the daughter of OSU educators H.G. and Girdie Ware, she at-tended nursery school at OSU. As a student at a nearby elementary school, she would walk to her mother’s office for lunch. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from OSU in family relations and child development with an emphasis in early childhood educa-tion. Paul completed her doctorate at Purdue University in family and child development. Both Paul and her husband, Homer, encouraged their children to love education. Among their combined seven children are sev-en bachelor’s degrees, two master’s degrees, two law degrees and a medical degree. Advocating for young children and their education was Paul’s mission in life. When she joined former Superintendent Sandy Garrett and the Oklahoma State Department of Education as the assistant state superin-tendent of public instruction, her primary responsibility was to assist local school dis-tricts with implementing the state-mandated half-day kindergarten classes. She wrote the model for pre-kindergarten and 4-year-old student programs for public schools, requiring both a bachelor’s degree and an early childhood teaching certification for pre-kindergarten teachers. Today, that model is recognized by the National Institute for Early Education Research as the top model in the nation. Because of Paul’s efforts, Oklahoma is the recognized leader in early childhood education in the nation. Paul also served as one of the first Head Start consultants, helping with the initial

GROUNDWORKRamona Paul’s work set the standard for early childhood education in Oklahoma – and the nation.

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planning and implementation of the fledgling program in Texas. After noticing no literature was available for culturally diverse children, Paul authored the 35-book “Your World” series. Published by Taylor Publishing Co., the books were the first children’s books published with color pictures of children and adults from many cultures. In 2009, Oklahoma Today magazine named Paul “Oklahoman of the Year” for her early childhood education program. She was the first educator and first state government employee to earn that designation. “Her vision and achievement have put Oklahoma in the limelight of early childhood education progress,” says Louisa McCune-El-more, editor in chief of Oklahoma Today. “To say that she created a better future for Oklahoma is an understatement, and we be-lieve telling her story is a step toward creating the best schools in our nation. There can be no doubt that our state’s 4- and 5-year-olds are lucky children indeed.” Paul died in 2013, and as a tribute to his late wife, her husband Homer is making a $250,000 gift to establish the Ramona Ware Emmons Paul Endowed Professorship in Early Childhood “to encourage excellence in teaching, research and scholarship in the area of early childhood” in the Department of Hu-man Development and Family Science in the College of Human Sciences. The professor-ship will provide support for faculty, graduate students, the Ramona Ware Emmons Paul Speaker Series, research, curriculum develop-ment and other appropriate activities. Paul spent her life improving education in Oklahoma, and her commitment to educa-tion and the future of children left a legacy that spans across the nation. Her family has helped ensure that legacy will live on by continuing to build upon her passion for early childhood education and further benefiting generations of children and educators. •

R“Ramona Paul’s vision and achievement have put Oklahoma in the limelight of early childhood education progress.”

— Louisa McCune-Elmore, editor in chief, Oklahoma Today

GARY LAWSON/UNIVERSITY MARKETING

1948

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sther Winterfeldt’s long and distinguished career is marked

by outstanding accomplishments and a substantial impact on generations of people. Winterfeldt, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in home economics from the College of Human Sciences in 1948, went on to a decades-long career in dietetics at hospitals and universities throughout the United States, including Oklahoma State University. From 1970 to 1985, she served as associate dean for research and head of the Department of Food, Nutrition and Institution Adminis-tration at OSU. In 1979 Winterfeldt served as the president of the Ameri-can Dietetic Association and was the first director of the USDA’s Human Nutrition Information Service. She was the first faculty member in the College of Human Sciences to be named an OSU Regents Professor, an honor she still holds as an emeritus faculty member. Winterfeldt has served as an undergraduate adviser to more than 200 students and as a major professor and thesis committee member for 120 master’s and 21 doctoral students. She also authored multiple textbooks and books for the general public on dietetics, nutrition, aging and public policy.

“The dietetics profession will be forever blessed by Esther Winterfeldt’s dedication to service, scholarship and discovery,” says Charlette Gallagh-er-Allred, past director of professional relations and education at Abbott Nutri-tion. For her outstanding work, Winter-feldt was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in 2002. She also received the Marjorie Hulsizer Copher Award, the highest honor given by the American Dietetic Association, in 1993; the Distinguished Alumni Award from Ohio State University in 1983; and

the Distinguished Dietitian Award from the Oklahoma Dietetics Association in 1986. “Esther Winterfeldt is well respect-ed for her professional and personal accomplishments,” says Stephan Wilson, dean of the College of Human Sciences. “As a department head, she brought rec-ognition and distinction to the individ-ual programs within the department, as well as the department as a whole. She is admired in the university’s community

and among university administrators across the state and the nation.” Winterfeldt continues to serve as a mentor and role model today. She has established and awarded multiple scholarships to graduate students pur-suing masters or doctoral degrees and conducting research in nutrition, health and aging. In addition to providing financial assistance, she often offers words of wis-dom to students based on her passion for research, scholarship and excellence as well as her experiences. “My advice would be to take

advantage of all opportu-nities that are offered as in assistantships and other departmental activities,” Winterfeldt said. “Seek an adviser experienced in the field of choice, find and use as many mentors as possible, and be prepared

to be persistent. Become very familiar with research and writing, and always look for opportunities to participate in professional activities.” Winterfeldt’s students and colleagues throughout the years have agreed she impacted them through leadership and support. “She has spent her life focusing on sustaining a quality life and has indeed made a difference,” Wilson says. •

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Esther Winterfeldt was the first Regents Professor to come from the faculty ranks of the College of Human Sciences.

BY LINDSEY WILLIS

A Lasting ImpactFrom teaching to writing to advising, Esther Winterfeldt has reached many

“The dietetics profession will be forever blessed by Esther Winterfeldt’s dedication to service, scholarship and discovery.”

– Charlette Gallagher-AllredPast director of professional relations

and education at Abbott Nutrition


1961 1971

uburn University’s dean of the College of Human Sciences is the

university’s longest-serving dean. Among OSU alumna June Henton’s long list of accomplish-ments during her nearly 30 years at the helm of the college is her extensive work to combat world hunger. “Solving world hunger — that’s the quint-essential complex problem,” Henton says. “People think it’s a problem that can’t be solved.” Henton spoke at the 2014 installment of

Cleaning UpHRAD alumnus takes NYC dry cleaner green

“Human Sciences is an area that needs to be nurtured.” — Ken Kinzer

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School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration alumnus Ken Kinzer and

his wife, Dawn Cardi, are members of the College of Human Sciences Partners Group.

“But we have to get a handle on feeding people and the very real, shameful position we are in of having 25,000 people a year die from hunger when there is enough food.”

— June Henton

the Dean Lela O’Toole International Speaker Series at Oklahoma State University in April. A native of tiny Hominy, Okla., Henton completed her bachelor’s degree in home economics education and community service at OSU in the 1960s. Henton has led the growth of Auburn’s College of Human Sciences from fewer than 500 students when she was recruited in 1985 to more than 1,200 undergraduate and gradu-ate students today. One of Henton’s most far-reaching ini-

tiatives is a 2004 partnership with the U.N. World Food Programme. “I said yes [to the partnership], not know-ing what it would entail,” she says. “But we have to get a handle on feeding people and the very real, shameful position we are in of having 25,000 people a year die from hunger when there is enough food.” The Auburn/WFP educational model addresses short- and long-term solutions to alleviating hunger through awareness, fund-raising, advocacy and academic initiatives including teaching, research and outreach. “It has to be long-term, generation after generation,” she says. “We know hunger can be solved in our time, but there is a lack of political will. We just have to bring along the next generation, getting young people informed and committed to a cause.” Henton founded Universities Fighting World Hunger in 2006 at the inaugural University Hunger Summit. UFWH works with the World Food Programme to engage students directly in hunger-reduction strate-gies and to create and/or adapt curricula that will educate students about issues of human sustainability and social justice.

An appetite to wage war for goodOSU alumna battles world hunger as Auburn dean

LINDY KNOWLES

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“The model addresses both domestic and global hunger,” Henton says. “It operates un-der the premise that every academic discipline has a role to play in the fight against hunger, and it brings universities together in unprec-edented collective action to take their place at the table with other activists and experts in the hunger community.” UFWH has more than 300 participating college and university campuses around the globe with a positive trajectory for continued growth. In 2012, she was honored by the White House as a Champion of Change for her ef-forts to strengthen food security in the United States and around the world. Challenges still abound, however. “To reach the ultimate peak of eradicating hunger, we must scale up with a network of partners who are as committed as we are to finishing the climb,” she says. “When we combine the passion and energy of informed students with the knowledge and talent at universities all over the world, the outcome will be helping millions of hungry people and impacting the lives of students around the world for generations to come.” •

LINDY KNOWLES

Dean Stephan Wilson and David Henneberry, associate vice president of International Studies and Outreach, presented June Henton with a gift to commemorate her participation in the Dean Lela O’Toole International Speaker Series.

en Kinzer learned all about customer service as a student

in the School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native came to OSU for the hospitality program in the College of Human Sciences, graduating in 1971. Now a successful dry cleaner, he says, “It’s not about price; it’s about over-the-top customer service. The an-swer is ‘yes;’ now, what’s the question? Our people are taught never to say no to a customer.” Kinzer worked for Sky Chefs, the ca-tering subsidiary of American Airlines, for several years and helped develop the first wide-body flight kitchen at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. He was promoted to restaurant manager in the airport terminals. He left American Airlines when his job was transferred to Dallas. He bor-rowed the money for a down payment on a laundry in an up-and-coming area of Brooklyn and worked 24/7 for a year, he says. Within four years, he added a dry cleaner next door. After 15 years, he moved to a new site and became one of the first dry cleaners in the New York area to convert to an environmentally friendly process. Last year was his best in his 30

years as a cleaner, he says. Bridgestone Dry Cleaners and Laun-dry has won awards for their customer service and dedication to non-toxic cleaning processes made from liquefied sand that is safe for consumers and the environment. Reconnecting with his alma mater has been very exciting for him and his wife Dawn Cardi. “We were invited back to campus a few years ago for a Wine Forum of Oklahoma and fell in love all over again with OSU, the college and the School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration,” Kinzer says. Kinzer and Cardi are founding mem-bers of the Human Sciences Partners Group and return to Stillwater several times a year for meetings. He says what’s going on in the college would wow people. “Human Sciences is an area that needs to be nurtured,” he says. “There are important things that the college does in the food area and in garments, such as new technology for soldiers’ uniforms. It’s all important stuff that’s got to be nurtured.” •

BY BEVERLY BRYANT


1988at Skorkowsky has dealt with a lot of change throughout his

career in education in the Clark County School District in Las Vegas. Skorkowsky has moved from the classroom to head the district with his 1988 bachelor’s degree from OSU in early childhood education and elemen-tary education. Early in his teaching career, he was encouraged to earn his master’s degree so he could move into an administrative position. He spent 7½ years in elementary ed-ucation, first as a first-grade teacher and then in a fifth-grade classroom before two years as an elementary assistant principal and five years as an elementary principal. He served as middle school principal for five years before becoming an assistant superintendent. “I supervised between 25 and 34 schools — elementary, middle and high schools,” he says. “Then my career kind of took off in about two years.” In March 2012, he was appointed associate superintendent with respon-sibility for 108 elementary, middle and high schools. He was appointed deputy superintendent in August 2012, super-vising all 357 of the district’s schools. Skorkowsky was appointed interim superintendent in March 2013, after his predecessor resigned. Three months later, he won the superintendent’s post. With all those moves, which step on his career ladder was most nerve-wrack-ing? Turns out, the first one was. “After being in the system you

A StrongLas Vegas schools chief credits his OSU degree for his success

understand somewhat what the role will be. That first day was by far the bigger challenge, having never had my own classroom,” he says. Skorkowsky grew up in Harrah, Okla., and graduated in a class of 48. “I still have friends in the area. My parents lived in the same house I grew up in until their deaths,” he says. He’s come a long way from that tiny Harrah school. The Clark County School District is the fifth-largest school district in the country, with 316,000 students. Skorkowsky says the district covers more than 8,000 square miles. Given the size and demographics of the district, Skorkowsky says, there are unique challenges. “I am focused on our second-lan-guage population — the English-lan-guage learners — to ensure they have access to the curriculum and the language,” he says. “Language is not a barrier to intelli-gence. It is a barrier to curriculum.” Skorkowsky said Clark County is a majority-minority district. “Our popula-tion is 44 percent Hispanic, 28 percent Caucasian, 12 percent African-Amer-ican, and the rest are Asian,” he says. “My goal is to give them all access to higher education.” He is using innovative technology and effective teaching strategies to en-sure students are meeting standards for college and career readiness. The district’s graduation rate has gone from 62 percent in 2012 to 71.5

percent in 2013. He has no plans to leave Las Vegas. “I’m so focused on this job I won’t even think about the next job,” he says. He gives much credit to his upbringing and education in Oklahoma. “I consider myself to be a resi-dent of two states. Oklahoma has made me the person I am today in Las Vegas,” he says. “I am extremely grateful for my education at OSU. It truly did prepare me, as much as anything could, for that first day of teach-ing. I know my success is because of what I was able to learn at Oklahoma State,” he says. “I think my undergrad degree at O-State made a huge difference in how I performed as a teacher in Clark County,” Skorkowsky says. “It helped me understand students were individuals with different backgrounds and belief systems. That helped me to understand individuals and how I could teach them.” His time at OSU also helped him develop his personal motto: Every student, in every class-room, without exceptions, without excuses. “Everything gets filtered through that every day.” •

BEVERLY BRYANT

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assion and legacies run orange in Allyson Walters’ family.

Walters, an alumna of the design, housing and merchandising program in Oklahoma State Universi-ty’s College of Human Sciences, grew up surrounded by design magazines and interior decorating books. Walters’ mother, Ann, graduated from OSU in 1958 with an interior decorating degree. Ann had a classic eye and was ahead of her time in the world of interior design, her daughter says. Her family built a new home in the 1980s, with her mother working closely with the architect to de-sign the layout, doorways and finishes of the house, Walters says. Inspired by what she saw, Walters soon found herself following in her mother’s footsteps. She entered OSU’s interior design program in 1991 to follow the passion instilled in her by a childhood full of visual arts and support from her mother, she says. “My mother and I didn’t have the same styles or taste, but she was always supportive in my selection, even if she didn’t get it. In the end, she was really proud of my career choice because she knew it made me happy,” she says. Within the College of Human Sciences, she found intriguing classes and caring professors. “I really appreciated the professors believing in me when I didn’t,” she says. “They saw something in my work and encouraged me to keep at it.” Today, Walters is an interior designer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. She prepares design devel-opment plans and construction documents, designing solutions and reviewing design submissions for the public sector. Walters says she never imagined she would work for the Army, but she has found it to be a great fit. As an interior designer for the Corps, Walters specif-

ically designs for the public sector. “Our customers are forever changing project scope, so it helps to be able to course-correct just as quick,” she says. Walters’ expertise in interior design has saved the Fort Worth, Texas district thousands of dollars in facility maintenance costs. She served as the project designer and manager on a four-year renovation project on the Fritz G. Lanhan Federal Building, which was completed in 2013. Walters calls the large undertaking her most chal-lenging project to date. “Not only was I managing the project delivery team, but I was also responsible for taking the current workforce strength and forecasting how it would affect our footprint and develop a space plan that had to grow and shrink with the changing workload,” she says. The project led to her being honored as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Interior Designer of the Year. The Engineering and Construction Bulletin selected Walters based on her performance, contribu-tions, leadership and community involvement in the Fort Worth district. “My initial reaction was complete shock,” Walters says. “I knew my leadership had nominat-ed me, but to be selected from the many talented interior designers working for the Corps and also to represent Fort Worth district has been an absolute honor.” “Allyson is truly one of the best interior designers not just in the Corps but across DoD [the Depart-ment of Defense],” says Col. Charles Klinge, com-mander of the Fort Worth district. “What differentiates Allyson from many of her peers is her ability to operate extremely effectively at the project level, solving problems and keeping

projects moving forward,” says Brian Giacomozzi, chief of the engineering and construction division for the Fort Worth district. “Knowing that my work is making a difference for our soldiers is my favorite part,” she says. “They give so much; it’s nice to be able to give back to them.” •

LINDSEY WILLIS

DESIGNING AN ORANGE LEGACY

Walters builds on OSU education to win Army Corps honor

Allyson Walters chose to wear her favorite orange while accepting her

honor from Col. Charles Klinge.

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JULIE BARNARD

Framework

MICHELE NELSON/CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

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Going Small for Big ImpactFashion wasn’t the right fit for alumna, but she shines at designing jewelry

ewelry designer Megan Thorne opted to go small even before graduating from

OSU’s College of Human Sciences. The 2002 alumna majored in apparel de-sign and production with a minor in apparel marketing. Her internship was with a small, independent design business, Eberjey in Mi-ami. She landed her first job at Eberjey as an assistant designer right after school. That, too, was an education. She realized she didn’t have anything new to offer in fashion design. “I loved design and needed to find a way

to make a career of it,” she says. “Jewelry construction is much more natural to me than sewing. I had good design ideas, but I didn’t enjoy some of the other components of apparel production. I can handle a torch like nobody’s business; I can’t handle a pair of scissors.” In a metalworking class at OSU, she made her first piece. “I made a ring that was hollow and could be filled with perfume. It had an opal stopper on top. When I had this thing that was ex-actly what I had envisioned, I was ecstatic,”

J Thorne says. She opened her company, Megan Thorne Fine Jewels, in 2007 in Fort Worth, Texas. (She goes by the same name professionally; her name as an undergraduate was Megan Thornton.) “We make maybe 25 pieces a week, now that I have help. We’re still a really tiny shop,” she says. “It takes a little more time because actual hands are making these things. It is so much more personal.” •

ietitian Jill (Parker) Turley is pas-sionate about healthy eating policies

and practices in the areas where children live, learn and play. Turley, who graduated from the College of Human Sciences with a bachelor’s degree in human nutrition in 2003 and a master’s in nutritional sciences in 2005, works for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation as a registered dietitian and national nutrition adviser. Based in Fayetteville, Ark., she is helping schools implement the Smart Snacks in School nutritional standards that go into

effect this summer. Turley also works with after-school and summer programs. “I’ve been with the Alliance for almost three years,” she says. “Previously, I was a program manager in the state of Oklaho-ma working with schools to implement the Healthy Schools Program.” She focused on child nutrition as an OSU student. “A lot of the research that I did myself or participated in at OSU was focused on child nutrition in general,” she says. “That’s where I kind of knew I wanted to go down that

Fueling a Passion for Helping KidsDietitian helping schools implement healthier food choices for studentsD avenue. I have more of a community focus

than a clinical focus. Dr. Tay Kennedy was my major professor, and I learned a lot from her.” “Food insecurity issues are my passion,” she says. “I am a champion of school meals and after-school food programs.” •

Practice PreparationPhysical therapist says OSU taught her well for treating broad range of ages

hysical therapist Janie Taylor credits Oklahoma State University with preparing her well for treating clients

of all ages. “I definitely think that my Human Scienc-es experience made a difference. I am more focused on the whole human, not just their particular body part,” she says. “Studying human development was definitely a leg up when it came to my profession.” Taylor, an Honors College student, grad-uated summa cum laude from OSU with a bachelor’s degree in human development and

family science in 2003. She received a master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Oklaho-ma Health Sciences Center in 2006 and a doctorate of physical therapy from A.T. Still University in Mesa, Ariz., in 2009. In 2010, Taylor became a board-certified specialist in orthopedics. “In the College of Human Sciences, the leadership opportunities gave me a lot of con-fidence,” Taylor said. “I was on the Human Sciences Ambassadors, the committee chair for the homecoming steering committee and a

P member of Mortar Board. Now I am serving on the Human Sciences Partners Group as an alumna, working with the students.” She received the Wentz Research Fellow-ships and the President’s Distinguished Schol-arship for four years. “I would not have been able to finish school without those,” Taylor says. •

ick Starns originally wanted to own a chain of restaurants. While in the

hotel and restaurant administration program in Oklahoma State University’s College of Human Sciences, he changed courses. “I wound up on the hotel side,” Starns said. He graduated from the college in 2002 and received a master’s in business administration from the Spears School of Business in 2004. In 2005, he went to work with the Chickasaw Nation’s Department of Commerce. “It has been definitely a wild ride and

fulfilling,” he says. “The strategic growth of the nation’s businesses has enabled me to use my education and training in areas in which I never had planned. In recent years, CNDC has expanded into hospitality with restau-rants, hotels and gaming.” Starns opened the Artesian Hotel in Sulphur, Okla., as the general manager for the Artesian area, which encompasses three different properties. Today’s Artesian builds on the memories of the original hotel, which burned more than 50 years ago. “I could not have asked for a better expe-

From Restaurants to HotelsArtesian manager found success after changing sides at OSUN rience coming out of college,” Starns says.

“The Chickasaw Nation … has successfully put into play a historical/small-town premiere destination boutique property in Sulphur, Okla. It is fantastic.” The alumnus says he tries to recruit people to OSU constantly. “People come to OSU not knowing what their passion is or where they are going,” he says. “I was able to blossom and get out there and network. I learned that where there’s a problem, there’s always a way to solve it.” •

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STORIES BY BEVERLY BRYANT

2002 2003Recent alumni from all four departments in the College of Human Sciences are climbing ladders and achieving dreams.


2014UNUSED

Seniors of Distinction

Kalie Bryant, of Stillwater, Okla., is a design, housing and merchandising major with an option in interior design. She plans to become an interior designer for MA+ Archi-tecture, where she interned last summer. She is the daughter of Brad and Renee Bryant. Allison Burckhartt, a nutritional sci-ences major from Houston with an emphasis in allied health, hopes to become a nutrition-al physician. She is the daughter of David and Beth Burckhartt. O’donna Dean, a hotel and restaurant administration major, will be pursuing a ca-reer in conference and meeting planning. She is married to Loren Dean of Perry, Okla. Cody Garrison is a human develop-ment and family science major with an option in child and family services and an emphasis in student affairs. He is the son of Cindy Garrison of Flower Mound, Texas. Karin Irsch, a design, housing and merchandising major with an emphasis in apparel merchandising and a minor in mar-

keting, plans to join the fashion industry. She is the daughter of Charles and Julie Irsch of Lakeshore, Texas. Taylor Justis received a degree in hotel and restaurant administration. She plans to build her career as a regional sales represen-tative for Action Wholesale Liquor. She is the daughter of Robert and Sheri Justis of Tyler, Texas. Lana Laughlin completed her degree in nutritional sciences and plans to attend dental school in the fall at the University of Oklahoma. She is the daughter of Brent and Lucia Laughlin of Tulsa, Okla. Keri Shaw, of Duncan, Okla., is a human development and family science major with an option in child family services and a minor in human resources management. She is the daughter of Ken and Theresa Shaw. Aly Villalon, a Tulsa, Okla., native, is a nutritional sciences major with an option in dietetics. She is the daughter of Len and Deanna Villalon. •

ach year the academic units within the College of Human Sciences select and nominate their top graduating students to be recognized as Seniors of Distinction. The recipients

of the prestigious award are selected for this honor based on their academic success, leadership, scholarship and contributions to their chosen fields. “We are very proud of these exceptional students, and we look forward to watching them grow into the future leaders of their respective fields,” says Stephan Wilson, dean of the college. “I hope they will always remember the family they have here in the College of Human Sciences and will come back to visit us often.”

“We are very proud of these exceptional students, and we look forward to watching them grow into the future leaders of their respective fields.”

— Stephan Wilson, Dean

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Top row: Kalie Bryant, Allison Burckhartt, O’donna Dean. Middle row: Cody Garrison, Karen Irsch, Taylor Justis. Bottom row: Lana Laughlin, Keri Shaw, Aly Villalon

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O K L A H O M A ’ SCover Story Building on a Solid Foundation 4The College of Human Sciences recently announced the launch of the public phase of a campaign for a new, three-level wing to the north side of the college’s 63-year-old building on Monroe Street.

When you join the OSU Alumni Association, a portion of your membership comes back to the college to fund programs such as homecoming and other alumni events. Contact us for more information: humansciences.okstate.edu, 101 Human Sciences, Stillwater, OK 74078-6116 (405) 744-5053 telephone (405) 744-7113 fax

Stephan M. Wilson D E A N , C O L L E G E O F H U M A N S C I E N C E S

Julie Barnard H U M A N S C I E N C E S C O M M U N I C AT I O N S M A N A G E R

Dorothy L. Pugh E D I T O R

Lindy Knowles A R T D I R E C T O R

Phil Shockley Gary Lawson P H O T O G R A P H Y

Michael Baker A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R

Human Sciences magazine is a publication of the Oklahoma State University College of Human Sciences. Its purpose is to connect this college with its many stakeholders, providing information on both campus news and pertinent issues in the field of human sciences. © Oklahoma State University 2014

Oklahoma State University in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services. Title IX of the Education Amendments and Oklahoma State University policy prohibit discrimination in the provision of services of benefits offered by the University based on gender. Any person (student, faculty or staff) who believes that discriminatory practices have been engaged in based upon gender may discuss their concerns and file informal or formal complaints of possible violations of Title IX with the OSU Title IX Coordinator, Director of Affirmative Action, 408 Whitehurst, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, (405) 744-5371 or (405) 744-5576 (fax). This publication, #4437, issued by Oklahoma State University as authorized by the College of Human Sciences, was printed by OSU Marketing, University Printing Services. at a cost of $3,100.00. 5,000/June/14.

FCS Celebrates Centennial 6Family and Consumer Sciences offices and experts have been helping spread OSU’s impact throughout Oklahoma counties for more than a century.

Partners Help Pave the Way 8The College of Human Sciences Partners Group, composed of alumni and friends of the college, works to move the college forward and help shape the future.

Laying the Groundwork 13Ramona Ware Paul’s work in early childhood education programs set the standard for schools in Oklahoma – and across the nation.

An Appetite to Wage War for Good 14June Henton, dean of the College of Human Sciences at Au-burn University and OSU alumna, has helped set the stage for a worldwide battle against hunger.

Cleaning Up 15Ken Kinzer is an HRAD alumnus who has made a name for himself as one of the first environmentally friendly dry cleaners in New York City.

A Strong Framework 16OSU early childhood education alumnus Pat Skorkowsky has used every bit of his education while working his way to the top of the Las Vegas public school system.

Stars on the Rise 18Recent alumni from all four departments in the College of Human Sciences are climbing ladders and achieving dreams.

CONTENTStable of

helbi Barrett made a promise during her eighth-grade year.

Through the Oklahoma’s Promise program, she pledged to take special courses in high school and keep up her grades while steering clear of trouble outside the classroom. As a result, her dream of attending Oklahoma State University has become a reality, despite it once being finan-cially out of reach. A nutritional sciences major with an option in allied health in the College of Human Sciences, Barrett hopes to become a nurse. One of five children, she says this opportunity may not have existed without the help of Oklahoma’s Promise. “I have four siblings, so with a total of five children, if it weren’t for Oklahoma’s Promise, there would be no way we could attend col-lege here at OSU,” Barrett says. “Oklahoma’s Promise has given me the chance to accomplish my lifelong dream of becoming a nurse, and I am beyond grateful for this opportunity.” Barrett’s sister, Lyndi, is a junior at West Point Military Academy, one of 200 women in a class of 1,200 cadets. Her younger brother, Ethan, is a junior in high school, and her oldest brother, Blake, lives in Arizona. Another older brother, Josh, is a senior at OSU. The Oklahoma Legislature created the Oklahoma’s Promise program in 1992 to provide college tuition for families whose parents’ income is $50,000 or less when students are in eighth, ninth and 10th grades, according to the Oklaho-ma State Regents for Higher Education. In short, the student promises to prepare

academically for college and stay out of trouble, and in return, the state of Oklahoma promises to help pay the student’s college tuition. Barrett learned about Oklahoma’s Promise through her siblings; her older brother attended OSU on the scholarship. She also received help from Durant, Okla., schools in applying. While in high school, Barrett earned 18 hours of college credit through concurrent enrollment at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. As a re-sult, she is considered a sophomore, even though she is only in her first year at OSU. “That allows kids to get ahead. I don’t have to load up on hours now,” she says. Barrett has been able to enroll in a typical class load of about 15 hours per semester focus-ing on science courses, which she says she is hap-py to be taking from such an accredited school. “Because college degrees are becoming increas-ingly important and prevalent, where a person receives their education is also more important,” she says. “When I go to nursing school, science classes from OSU will pay off.” Aside from assisting with the cost of educa-tion, Barrett says Oklahoma’s Promise also helps her academically by holding her to a high stan-dard. Students must meet academic criteria set by their university, as well as specific standards for the Oklahoma’s Promise award. To maintain eligibility at OSU, a minimum GPA of 2.0 is re-quired for courses taken through the sophomore year and a 2.5 GPA is required for those taken during the junior year and thereafter.

PROMISEState program helps Human Sciences sophomore find

a path to Oklahoma State


“Oklahoma’s Promise has given me the

chance to accomplish my lifelong dream of

becoming a nurse, and I am beyond grateful for this opportunity.”

— Shelbi Barrett

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FULFILLING OKLAHOMA’S

O K L A H O M A ’ S

BY LINDSEY WILLIS

“My education is the reason I am here,” Bar-rett says. “I hope to gain exceptional knowledge in the areas of nutrition and the medical field, lifelong friendships, social skills, networking opportunities and the privilege to be a part of the Cowboy family.” •


MICHELE NELSON/CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

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The official magazine of the College of Human Sciences, Oklahoma State University

2014

SOLID FOUNDATIONBUILDING ON A NEW FACILITY WILL OPEN DOORS FOR

RESEARCH AND

COLLABORATION

INCREASING OUR IMPACT, EXPANDING THE POSSIBILITIESThe College of Human Sciences has an exciting opportunity to transform the way students learn and faculty teach with a new state-of-the-art addition to our existing facilities. Students are at the center of this transformation, with every detail planned to attract and empower the best and brightest and ensure exceptional educational opportunities for students interested in solving real life issues and improving the human condition. The enhanced facility will feature cutting-edge experiential learning spaces designed to facilitate our larger classes, as well as seminars, workshops and outreach activities. From public-private office and conferencing venues to dining spaces, the building will invite students and faculty to gather and collaborate in ways not possible before. The impact of this expansion will be far-reaching and naming opportunities for the innovative project abound.

Let us help you connect your passion with the Human Sciences’ vision. For information regarding naming opportunities or to make a gift to the building project, please contact:

DR. STEPHANIE VOGEL, CFRESenior Director of DevelopmentOklahoma State University Foundation400 S. Monroe | Stillwater, OK 74074phone: 405.385.5615 | cell [email protected]

Seven months remain … Be a part of Branding Success!

College of Human Sciences

Oklahoma State University

101 Human Sciences

Stillwater, OK 74078-6116

(405) 744-5053 telephone

(405) 744-7113 facsimile

humansciences.okstate.edu online

There are many ways to stay connected to the College of Human Sciences. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and OStateTV.

$40,033,351Raised for Human Sciences to Date

3,405Number of Human Sciences Alumni and Friends Who Have Given to the Campaign

12/31/14Date the Campaign Ends

54 New Endowments

44 New Scholarships

4 New Professorships

1 New Chair

ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN

Human Sciences magazine

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