Wednesday, September 22
 

ISU Convocation Monday, September 27 at 3:00 p.m., Sun Room
 

College of Education's Enlightenment mural to be dedicated

Interim Dean Jerry Thomas invites you to attend the dedication of the new mural installed this fall in the Lagomarcino Courtyard on Tuesday morning, September 28.  The program begins at 10:00 a.m.

Titled Enlightenment, the work was designed by Arizona artist Gail Kristensen who studied with Christian Petersen at ISU in the late '40's, and produced by ISU associate professor of art and design Ingrid Lilligren.  Five student artists participated in the production.

Former Education Dean Walter Gmelch and his wife Paula, who originally initiated the project, will attend the dedication.
 

Latino Heritage Month: Uniting Our Roots

Thursday, September 23
Esmeralda Santiago-Writing a Life Lectures Committee Series
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Sun Room, Memorial Union
 

Saturday, September 25
Weekend Voyagers – Arts & crafts for children
10:00 a.m to Noon
Downtown Ames, Public Library
 

Wednesday, September 29
Sabor Latino – Food Tasting
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
LeBaron Lounge

 

 

Men, are you dyeing to find that perfect gift?

Any sensitive men out there dyeing to find the perfect, personalized holiday gift?  You don’t have to be a chemist or an engineer to join Sara Kadolph, ISU professor of textiles and clothing, at Reiman Gardens this Saturday morning to experiment with exotic, international dyes.  Using dyestuff derived from insects, flowers, wood roots, bark and other natural materials, you will create a one-of-a-kind silk scarf that will surprise and delight your loved one.  All you need is a sense of curiosity and caring, a willingness to get your hands wet (maybe) and you’ll be set.
 

Using a contact dyeing method, Kadolph will explain how dyestuff selection, combination of ingredients, and manner of application determine the colors and patterns produced.

Saturday’s workshop (Sept. 25) is from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.  The registration fee ($30 members/$35 guests) covers all materials.  Pre-registration is required; call 515-294-2710 or email reimangardens@iastate.edu.  (And yes, women may register, too.)

The workshops are an outgrowth of DyeSeeds, a company Kadolph founded in 2002.   The firm also distributes seeds packaged with starting, growing, harvesting and dyeing instructions, as well as silk scarves created using native and exotic dyes.
 

Aging in Rural America

The College of Family and Consumer Sciences' 2004-05 Helen LeBaron Hilton Endowed Chair, Dr. John Krout, will talk about issues of aging in rural America on Thursday, September 30 in the conference room of the Hotel at Gateway Center.  Guests will have an opportunity to visit with Krout, director of the Gerontology Center at Ithaca College in New York, at a reception following the 4:00 p.m. presentation.  The event is free and open to the public.
 

BIO:  As former Professor of Sociology and also Director of the Health Care Administration program and Gerontology Coordinator at the State University of New York College of Fredonia, Dr. Krout developed expertise on Aging in Rural America, Aging Policies and Programs, the Sociology of Aging, and Medical Sociology.  Since 1993, he has been directing the Gerontology Institute at Ithaca College as Professor of Gerontology and is responsible for their undergraduate and community service programs in Gerontology.   Dr. Krout’s scholarship includes 75 articles, or book chapters, and five books, titled: The Aged in Rural America; Residential Choices and Experience of Older Adults:  The Pathways to Life Quality Study; Aging in Rural Settings: Life Circumstances and Distinctive Features; Providing Community-Based Services to the Rural Elderly; He serves on the boards of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County, and for the Visiting Nurse Service of Ithaca and Tompkins County. 

ISU honors Armbrecht family

All seven family members are ISU alums; four of them are alums of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.  Announcement  
 

Tickets available for White House Mess

We sent word to the Story County Democrats, Green Party and Republicans....  Come see who shows up on Wednesday evening, September 29 at 6:00 p.m. for the first event of the Fine Dining Series, The White House Mess: Edible Political Satire in the Joan Bice Underwood Tearoom.

Explore candidates through innovative food, wine and political debate.  $45.  Reservations 294-7474.

 

$416,508 in scholarships!

The Sun Room was bright with scholars on Friday as 310 students received 148 various college and departmental scholarships totaling $416,508.  Interim Dean Pam White noted that this represents roughly 20% of students enrolled in the College. In addition, two students received external awards totaling $3,500.

 

Students experience hospitality industry in Thailand

To the 11 students who spent three weeks studying in Thailand this summer, hospitality has a whole new meaning.  While one might imagine that service hospitality in a developing country would be still be, well, developing, Shirley Gilmore’s group found exactly the opposite was true.  Gilmore explained, “Because they are developing what is to be their lifeblood, the service quality far exceeded what we would receive in the U.S.  They are there to meet your needs before you need them, and always with a pleasant smile.”  As an example, when the group’s bus broke down, local professionals called ahead and upgraded all the guests’ rooms.  When they arrived, they were simply handed keys and did not have to spend time checking in.

A major objective of the experience was to allow students to compare and contrast food and beverage and lodging facilities with those in the U.S. and to develop an awareness of the culture and ethnicity of Thai customs.  To accomplish this, the group visited both upscale facilities and open markets, and others in between.  They found Thai food incorporates a lot of rice, and learned to make sure the food was prepared just before serving.  In the open markets, food prepared early in the morning is often consumed at evening meals.

Gilmore noted that every meal was very similar.  Breakfast typically included some form of egg, bacon and sausage, but also offered soup and rice.  “There are some very traditional items, but the meals include a much broader range of kinds of foods that would be served at other meals,” she said.

Thailand is trying to develop its tourism sector to become and economic resource that can boost the economy.  Consequently, the food and beverage, lodging and golf industries are heavily involved.  In order to better understand the impact of tourism on Thailand hospitality industry, students visited tourist attractions, took cultural tours, and visited hospitality operations in Bangkok, Cha Am, Chieng Mai, Phuket, and Phi-Phi Island.   They interacted with Thai students and attended lectures on trends and diversity of tourism at four private universities.  A marine biologist gave a presentation on the environmental impact of tourism.  The students attended a 4-hour workshop, Nova School Programme, on service quality given by managers of Novotel Hotels in Bangkok

 

Internship provides career direction

After spending back-to-back summers interning for Lettuce Entertain You in Chicago, HRIM senior Kim Backer has a post-graduation goal firmly in mind: join this “amazing” company as an entry level manager.  “It definitely affirmed my career choice,” Backer said.  “The company is so good to employees and very customer-based.  It’s a very personal company; you feel like part of a family.”

Don’t be mistaken, this “family member” worked very hard.  Interns are trained in every area, from serving, bartending, hosting, prep kitchen and front and back of the house.  Backer also completed a number of miscellaneous projects, like rezoning the supply area and establishing procedures for use of materials data safety sheets.  She gained experience in numerous managerial duties including opening, closing, ordering and scheduling.  In addition to in-house training, interns attended weekly seminars hosted by corporate executives, chefs or marketing professionals.

Interns enjoyed some measure of fun each week being secret shoppers.  Backer found this exercise, where interns were provided funds to visit and rate other restaurants, invaluable.  “It was good at opening your eyes to what people are looking for in dining experiences,” she explained.

For in-house training this summer, Backer was assigned to R. J. Grunts, a ‘70s themed restaurant featuring “amazing burgers and a 50-item salad bar.”  Rated best restaurant to take your children by the Zagat Survey, the walls are covered with black and white photographs of all the waitresses that have worked there over the years.

Backer also acted as a consultant for the establishment.  When, at the end of summer, she had to report to LEU founder Richard Melman, Backer more nervous than she had ever been in her life.  “But he was very receptive to all of our menu possibilities and décor suggestions,” she acknowledged.

During her two years interning at Lettuce Entertain You, Backer has grown a lot.  “I’ve learned that it’s all about people.  My philosophy is that you will be successful if you surround yourself with people you trust and like.  It’s that knack of finding people that fit into a group that makes the difference,” she said. 

While Lettuce Entertain You owns more than fifty restaurants in Chicago, Las Vegas and Minneapolis, Backer’s preference would be to head straight back to the Windy City.  Are you reading this, Mr. Melman?

 

Media hits and presentations

Ron Werner-Wilson (shown here), associate professor of human development and family studies and director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic, was interviewed about why nationally, and in Iowa, divorce rates are on the decline by Jon Cahill, a reporter with WHO-TV 13, Des Moines.

Mark Oleson, assistant professor of human development and family studies, was interviewed today about how families can budget for future college expenses by Dick Layman, a reporter with WHO Radio, Des Moines

Mizzou honors Tahira Hira.

HDFS faculty and associates made the following presentations to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Annual Conference in Atlanta last week:

Gregory W. Brock and Marcia Michaels: Meditation as a Component of MFT Treatment www.aamft.org/resources/conferences/posters/PAC04022.ppt

Sarah Gellhaus Thomas, Ronald Jay Werner-Wilson, and Megan J. Murphy: Influence of Therapist and Client Behavior on Therapy Alliance www.aamft.org/resources/conferences/posters/PAC04055.ppt

Megan J. Murphy, Wan-Juo Cheng, & Ronald Jay Werner-Wilson: Exploring Master Therapists' Use of Power in Conversation

www.aamft.org/resources/conferences/posters/PAC04069.ppt

Sarah Gellhaus Thomas graduated from ISU with an MS in HDFS (MFT specialization) and Wan-Juo Cheng is a current doctoral student in the MFT specialization

 

Don't eat the jelly beans!

Apparently it wasn't clear to everyone that the goal was to GUESS the number of jelly beans rather than CONSUME the jelly beans in the contest that is part of the current United Way campaign.  Jars with (once again) equal numbers of beans are located in the Dean's office and each of the main departmental offices.  Guess as often as you like; the deadline is October 8.

After replacing missing jelly beans, this time Nancy Johnson (shown left) securely taped the jars shut, and added a "Do Not Eat" label on the lids.

The winner of this contest will enjoy a tasty, special picnic basket for two designed by Sam Beattie.

In related United Way campaign fun, the department with the highest percentage of returned envelopes will enjoy a "nice" refreshment break provided by Dean White.

 

 

This week, United Way campaign co-chair Barbara Woods writes, "What matters…Just over a week ago, a fire on 5th Street in Ames left 10 adults homeless. Local Red Cross volunteers were immediately on-site to help.  This help was available because of last year's successful United Way Campaign.  Contributions from FCS's donors were part of that campaign. 
 

A helping hand matters to individuals and families when they are without basic needs (housing, food, and clothing). As you consider making a contribution to this year's campaign, remember that your gift matters too.

Please join in the campaign by making a contribution, returning your envelope, and participating in the jelly-bean guessing contest."

To learn more information about the campus effort, visit ISU Campaign.
 

FCEDS graduate student network

Graduate students in Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Studies networked over lunch with faculty and staff in Hawthorn Market Cafe on Tuesday.  In the get-acquainted session, each woman shared family photos and artifacts.

 

Dail authors Uneasy States of Grace

Have you ever looked at someone and instantly known your life has just profoundly changed forever, regardless of whether or not you want it to?

This experience forms the centerpiece of Uneasy States of Grace by former Iowa State University professor and Wisconsin author Paula Dáil. The novel was released nationwide on September 1.

What follows is a story that weaves the social, political, and religious turmoil of the 1960’s together with tender threads of hope, love, drama, and pain — only to have the tapestry unravel — and then become rewoven again in the strength of eternal love.

"It is is a fabulous, thought-provoking read about the eternal human struggles to grace one another’s lives that we all face, regardless of our circumstances,” says Dr. Alice Thieman of Albuquerque, NM. “This book opens a window on the tensions in society and in the church during times of great upheaval.”

Told simultaneously in Sam Kennedy and Gillian Spencer’s voices, the story entwines many electric themes thrashing around during the tumultuous 1960’s. Most of all the characters reveal how tender dreams can die because institutional religion shatters the dreamer.

It reads like a memoir, but when asked whether or not it is Dáil responds that “anytime someone asks me this question I take it as a huge compliment because if the characters are that alive for the reader then I’ve done my job as a writer.”

A native Californian, Dáil, has a PhD from the University of Wisconsin where she was heavily involved in the social activism of the 1960’s. She became a research professor in social welfare and public policy — work she did for more than 20 years. She was a member of the faculty in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Iowa State for 11 years.

Widely published in the social sciences, Dail is also the author of one play and several short stories. She currently writes a column and feature stories for a newspaper group in Wisconsin and is working on a second novel, The Holy State of California. She can be contacted at womanspeak@charter.net

ISU Women's Club offering awards

The Iowa State University Women's Club is presenting the following awards of approximately $400 to recognize the academic and community accomplishments of ISU senior and international women students.
 

Senior Award:  To one or more senior women of Iowa University who have been partially self-supporting, have maintained an acceptable, but not necessarily top-ranking scholarship and have contributed to university and/or community life.
Pat Miller Memorial Award:   Criteria the same as the Senior Award.

International Award:  To one or more international graduate or upper-class women of Iowa State University with good grades, who possess qualities of leadership, character and personality enabling them to foster international understanding and to interpret our American way of life to the people of their countries.  This award is intended to be an honor more than a grant based on financial need.

Mrs. Glenn Murphy International Award:  International Award criteria applies to this award. It is hoped that this recipient will return to her own country and work in her academic discipline.  A student who has received another ISU Women's Club Award is not eligible for this award. 

An application form, indicating the categories of awards, may be obtained from the ISUWC web site at:   http://www.isuwc.freeservers.com   or hard copies are available at the YWCA, 15 Alumni Hall, on campus.

Each applicant should provide: Two (2) letters of recommendation (at least one from a faculty member), Six (6) copies of the application and Six (6)copies of the one page personal statement.  The application should be delivered to the address below no later than October 11, 2004.   Each recipient will be notified of her award and will be invited to a presentation luncheon to be held in November.

For additional information, application forms, and mailing, contact: 

Mardi Voss
Awards Committee Co-Chair
3421 Oakland Street
Ames, Iowa 50014
292 -1675 mamvoss@aol.com

 

Computer tip of the week

Transferring bubble sheet scores to WebCT