I am pleased to report continued good news about our department's student enrollment, which is a reflection of the vitality of our diverse programs and our efforts in recruiting and retention. This spring our enrollment is 920 undergraduates. Many of you will recall our enrollment was approximately 400 students just 5 years ago.  We have added new options and minors and continue to refine our current programs to remain attractive to our students.

President Jo Ann Gora visited our department and had an opportunity to meet every faculty member and to learn of their interests and areas of expertise.

The University has developed a new Strategic Plan. As with our previous strategic plan, where FCS alumni were very instrumental in helping our department accomplish its goals, I will seek alumni assistance to meet our new objectives.

We have added several new faculty, including Kimberli Pike, BS'95MS'00, who teaches in our dietetics program, Dr. Howard Campbell, who teaches in residential property management, and Kresha Warnock, who is in our child development area.  Leaving us were Dr. Corine Carr, Judith Lowe, Wendy Schmidt, and Linda Herald.  Dr. Joyce Rasdall, who taught in interior design, was with us only a short time before her death.  We miss these faculty, but we were fortunate to have had successful faculty searches to fill the gaps left by their departures. 

For those who can visit the department, you will notice many more electronic classrooms in place. We strive to provide excellent educational opportunities for our students and are fortunate to have the University's support in providing us with the technology we need.

In closing, I want to thank Linda Wallace BS'62, and Suzie Huber, BS'69 for their highly successful terms as our FCS Alumni Society president. As we begin a new year, Jeanine LeMaster, BS'92, takes the gavel, and the FCS Alumni Board is planning new events to engage and connect alumni with each other and the University.

With warm regards,

Alice A. Spangler, PhD, RD, CFCS Department Chair