200-plus students man phones at telefund

March 8th, 2010

Human Ecology students telephoned more than 800 alumni and friends of the college during this year’s telefund asking for contributions to fund urgently-needed scholarships. They collected promises of more than $117,000.

Ninety percent of the funds go toward scholarship and 10 percent for recruitment. More than 200 students volunteered their time Feb. 22 to 25, said Cara Richardson, events director.

Students in the News: research, volunteer

February 22nd, 2010

Haruta volunteers for kitchen project

Akiko Haruta, senior in dietetics and biology, was one of six K-State students who spent a part of their winter break helping those in need through K-State’s Alternative Breaks program, offered through the School of Leadership Studies.

The students were in St. Louis, Mo., from Jan. 3-8 to volunteer for Saint Louis University’s Campus Kitchen. The national Campus Kitchens Project empowers students to recycle food from their cafeterias, turn the donations into nourishing meals and deliver those meals to those in need. On-campus kitchens are also used to teach culinary skills to unemployed men and women.

Cline, Peak present research

Two of the undergraduate students presented their work this month at the Graduate School’s K-State Research Forum.

Laura Cline, senior in family studies and human services, worked with Jared Anderson, assistant professor, on A Comparison of Dual and Non-Dual Army Couples & Factors Related to Relationship Distress in Army Couples.

Madison Peak, human nutrition, worked with Briana Nelson Goff on a project called ‘My Kid Has More Chromosomes Than Yours!’: The Journey to Resilience and Hope in Parenting a Child with Down Syndrome. Also working on the project were Courtney Tracy, education, Taylor Veh, pre-med/microbiology and Laura Cline.

Only 10 undergraduate were selected to make presentations.

Picturing history: postcards tell story of buildings named for human ecology leaders

February 16th, 2010

Human Ecology and K-State have more buildings named in honor of human ecology leaders than any other land grant university campus. Sets of 12 postcards depicting the buildings and their namesakes, numbering more than any other college at K-State, are available for $5.

Brightly colored postcards profile 100 years of leadership, ranging from Nellie Sawyer Kedzie Jones who joined the faculty in 1882 to Ruth Hoeflin who was dean until 1983.

To order, contact Carol Kellett at ckellett@k-state.edu or at 343-0 Justin Hall, College of Human Ecology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506. Mail order cost is $6. Checks should be payable to K-State Foundation/Human Ecology Council.

The cards are a project of the Human Ecology Student Council.

Nellie Sawyer Kedzie Jones: Kedzie Hall

Mrs. Kedzie joined the faculty in 1882 as superintendent of sewing and became department head for household economy and hygiene. She was the only female faculty member until 1884 and the first woman to hold professor rank and the first woman department head. In 1887, she left Kansas State Agricultural College and founded programs at Bradley University and the University of Wisconsin. Domestic Science Hall was dedicated in 1899 and named Kedzie Hall in 1902 to recognize her leadership in home economics. The building currently houses the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Henrietta Calvin: Calvin Hall

Appointed as a professor of domestic science in 1903, Mrs. Calvin started a summer program in domestic science and domestic arts for teachers in 1904 and earned recognition for strengthening the curriculum. During her appointment from 1903 to 1908, the Board of Regents approved a second building that was completed in 1908 after she accepted a position at Purdue University. Calvin Hall was dedicated in 1908 and named in honor of Mrs. Calvin in 1925 at the Golden Jubilee. Calvin Hall is currently the home of the College of Business Administration.

Helen Bishop Thompson: Thompson Hall

Dr. Thompson was the first dean of the Division of Home Economics, serving in this role from 1918 to 1923. With her leadership and elevated standards, programs grew in rank and influence. During her administration, the Kansas legislature appropriated funds for a cafeteria building, named Thompson Hall in her honor. The building was dedicated in 1922 and named Thompson Hall at the 1925 Golden Jubilee.

Mary Pierce Van Zile: Van Zile Hall

Van Zile was the first permanent residence hall at Kansas State Agricultural College. It opened in September 1926 to serve the increasing number of women students. Mary Van Zile served as dean of the Division of Home Economics from 1908 to 1918 and as the dean of women from 1908 to 1939. After she retired from K-State, she continued teaching at Iowa State University.

Ellen Swallow Richards, Margaret Ahlborn, and Ula Dow: Campus Creek Complex

The complex integrates three structures formerly used as home management residence houses. The first house, completed in 1948, was named Ellen Richards Lodge in honor of Dr. Richards. Although she did not serve on the KSAC faculty, she is a renowned leader and the founder of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, formerly the American Home Economics Association. The second residence was completed in 1949 and named Margaret Ahlborn Lodge in honor of the assistant dean of the Division of Home Economics from 1929 to 1937. The Ula Dow Lodge was completed in 1949 and named to recognize contributions of Ula Dow, professor and head of domestic science in 1913 and 1914. Additions to enlarge and nhance facilities for the Family Center and the Speech and Hearing Center were completed in 1996 and 2005 when the building was renamed as the Campus Creek Complex.

Margaret M. Justin: Justin Hall

Dr. Justin served as dean of the School of Home Economics from 1923 to 1954, earning recognition as an international leader in the discipline. In 1960, a 100,000 square foot building was completed and dedicated for home economics. The many creative features and innovations in Justin Hall were guided by Doretta Hoffman, who became the dean of home economics in 1954.

Doretta Hoffman: Hoffman Lounge

At the time of Dean Hoffman’s retirement, she requested that the lobby of Justin Hall be furnished in a manner that provided a welcoming and functional environment for studying, meetings and special events. Once the renovation was completed and furnishings purchased, it was named Hoffman Lounge in 1974, to honor her work as dean of the College of Home Economics from 1954 to 1974.

Georgiana Smurthwaite: Smurthwaite Scholarship and Leadership House

The residence house was dedicated in 1961 to honor the work of Georgiana Smurthwaite, a faculty member in Home Economics Cooperative Extension for more than 30 years. The Kansas Extension Homemakers Council helped raise funds for the construction of the residence facility that serves a small community of women scholars. Their contribution was made in appreciation of her work in providing effective educational programs in small rural communities.

Bessie B. West: West Residence Hall

The hall was named in honor of West, a nationally acclaimed leader in food service and institutional management. Mrs. West was the head of the Department of Institutional Management from 1923 to 1956 and director of the KSAC Cafeteria. West Hall opened to female students in fall 1962 to accommodate increasing enrollment. Mrs. West helped design the curriculum in which students have laboratory experiences in Kansas State Dining Services facilities.

Martha Kramer: Martha Kramer Dining Center

Dr. Kramer was a faculty member in foods and nutrition for 30 years and served as assistant dean of the School of Home Economics from 1945 to 1960. The was dedicated in 1965 as part of the complex that includes Marlatt and Goodnow Residence Halls. Kramer Dining Center staff members supervise and mentor students and interns in the Department of Hospitality Management and Dietetics.

Martha S. Pittman: Pittman Building

Headquarters of K-State’s Housing and Dining Services, dedicated in 1987, named in honor of the head of the Department of Food Economics and Nutrition from 1923 to 1946. Dr. Pittman is recognized for her leadership to enhance graduate education and research innovations as well as continuous publication of her book, Practical Cookery.

Ruth Hoeflin: Ruth Hoeflin Early Childhood Education Center

Most commonly called The Stone House, the building is officially the Ruth Hoeflin Early Childhood Education Center and C.Q. and Georgia Chandler Institute for Child and Family Studies. The expanded facility was dedicated in 2001. Dr. Hoeflin was dean of the College of Home Economics from 1975 to 1983 after fulfilling other leadership roles within the college. Throughout her career, Dean Hoeflin dedicated her teaching and research to the development of young children as she mentored home economics students.

Wife out earn husband? Experts offer ways to talk out potential problems

February 15th, 2010

Nearly 25 percent of wives out earn their husbands. If couples see the woman’s larger salary as a potential minefield for their marriage, they should address the issue from the start.

“If things aren’t laid out in the open, it creates a lot of resentment and distrust, and you start treating the other person with disrespect,” said Kristy Archuleta. She co-directs K-State’s Financial Therapy Clinic, which blends financial counseling with marriage and family therapy.

Examine expectations

“If men and women have the expectation that it’s OK for a spouse to earn more, it’s not going to affect their relationship like it would if they go into the marriage with the expectation that the husband will have the job that pays more,” she added.

Archuleta said she doesn’t see wives earning more money as a big problem among couples she works with. But it may make a difference how wives end up with greater earning power. If it’s always been that way or if it’s a temporary solution to make ends meet, she said those expectations may temper any potential problems. Not so much if it’s an unexpected and unwanted shifting of roles.

A study released in January by the Pew Research Center showed that 22 percent of men made less money than their wives in 2007 — a shift from 1970 when it was just 4 percent of husbands. The Pew researchers have said that the recession following the 2007 study will make that percentage increase.

She and Sonya Britt, a financial therapist at the clinic, suggest topics for discussion:

What are expectations for earning power?

If the wife earning more than the husband is a short-term solution to make ends meet, will it make a difference if that pattern continues? Archuleta said research shows that men more than women link their self worth with how much money they make. “Men sometimes can think it’s no big deal if their wife earns more than they do, but in reality it might be causing some underlying problems,” Archuleta said.

Will decisions be made differently?

If the wife is earning more money, should she have more say in how money is spent, saved and invested? “Often times couples think that if they both contribute, they both should make decisions about finances,” Archuleta said. “If the woman starts making as much money and she thinks she should be getting a little more involved, it makes it difficult if she’s still being somewhat shut out.”

Will money be managed differently?

Britt said couples need to decide what to do with a shift in earnings, such as whether the husband is now going to get an allowance or whether accounts will be separate or joint.

What type of message will be sent to others?

If a couple has children, this includes the message that they’ll get about their parents. “If you’re OK with it, you’re probably not going to care what other people think, and you’ll portray to your children that it’s OK that mommy makes more money than daddy,” Archuleta said. “There’s nothing wrong with traditional views, but it makes it harder because then you are more concerned with what other people think. As parents, you might be badmouthing mom without realizing it by saying something like ‘I have to stay here and cook dinner, because mom’s not home again tonight.’”

Will household roles change?

If the wife is earning more money because she’s spending more time at work, a couple needs to decide whether the husband will step in with household and childcare duties. If mom’s bigger salary comes with business travel, for example, is dad comfortable taking on a role as primary caregiver? “A larger burden may be put on the husband than was there before, and he may or may not be comfortable doing that,” Archuleta said. “Talking about your role expectations is important, because it does lead into all areas of your marriage.”

Ultimately, what’s financially best?

“It doesn’t really make sense for the wife to take off an afternoon of work for a sick child if she’s the one making more money,” Britt said. “It makes financially better sense for the husband to take off, even if that’s not the way it’s been in the past.”

For more information about K-State’s Financial Therapy Clinic, call 785-320-7636 or visit the Institute of Personal Financial Planning web site.

Prepared by K-State media relations and Human Ecology communications

Students, video push Proud Campaign

February 10th, 2010

Anna Zeiger, junior in nutritional sciences, and her K-State Proud Campaign team members hope to raise $115,000 this year to help keep their peers in school when money runs out.

Ziegler is co-chair for the annual all-university student philanthropic effort. Reed Pankratz, marketing and public relations, and Robert Swift, political science, are also co-chairs.

Megan Barnett, nutrition and kinesiology sophomore, and Christina Farmer, freshman in hotel and restaurant management, serve on the advisory board.

To promote the campaign, anthropology professor Michael Wesch and digital ethnography students organized and filmed a flash mob of kindness. For the project, 100 students pooled their money and preformed random acts of kindness for other students, like helping pay for books and lunch. The students also lifted a car to get it into a parallel parking space in Aggieville and carried students across a busy intersection.

Watch the video below:

Read more about the flash mob project on the Digital Ethnography web site. For more information about the campaign, visit the K-State Proud web site.

Prepared by University media relations and human ecology communications

Dark chocolate: a healthier dose of affection

February 8th, 2010

Before buying that box of chocolates for your Valentine, it is important to understand the type of chocolate to buy if you are looking for health benefits, according to Brian Lindshield, Kansas State University assistant professor of human nutrition.

Lindshield said dark chocolate can be good for you — but it depends on how the chocolate is processed.

“The whole idea behind chocolate being beneficial comes from the Kuna who live on a remote island off of Panama,” Lindshield said. “The Kuna people have a unique diet, and one of the reasons scientists were interested in them is because they are one of the only populations that does not develop high blood pressure.”

Generally, as Americans age, blood pressure rises, which results in many developing the chronic high blood pressure condition known as hypertension, Lindshield said. However, when researchers studied the Kuna, they found that their blood pressure did not increase as they aged. Scientists also studied Kuna who had moved off the remote island to Panama City and found that after they moved, their blood pressure increased as they aged, more like most other populations in the world.

“Clearly, there was something that they were doing on the island that was resulting in lower blood pressure,” Lindshield said. “What researchers found was the Kuna’s cocoa consumption on the island was huge compared to when they moved off the island. We’re not talking chocolate, we’re talking cocoa powder, which is super bitter.”

That bitterness is due to compounds found in cocoa called flavinols which have been attributed to lowering blood pressure, Lindshield said.

The problem with most chocolates, however, is that most of their flavinols are destroyed during processing. Lindshield said that Mars Candy Company has developed a processing method that retains the flavinols, resulting in some of its products that are more heart-healthy.

Prepared by University media relations

Jurich advises singles to take Valentine’s Day cue from Mad Hatter

February 8th, 2010

Those without a sweetheart this Valentine’s Day need not drown their sorrows in heart-shaped boxes of chocolate. Kansas State University relationship expert Tony Jurich says instead, singles should make light of the traditionally couples holiday.

“When you’re surrounded by couples you might start to think that something’s wrong with you,” Jurich said. “It not only makes you acutely aware that they have something you don’t, but it makes it seem like the ‘normal’ people are together.”

Avoid a Pity Party

When you are single on a holiday – particularly on Valentine’s Day – you don’t do yourself any favors by spending it alone, Jurich said. Instead of ruminating in self-pity, singles should celebrate their status with just as much enthusiasm as couples.

“If you are single, you probably know other singles. Go out make it a night of it,” he said. “When you make a restaurant reservation, they’ll assume that you want a table for two, and you can say ‘no, a table for 12.’”

Throw an Un-Valentine Party

If you’re more the type to throw a get-together at your home, Jurich suggests an “Un-Valentine’s” Party – a la the Mad Hatter’s un-birthday parties in the Disney movie “Alice in Wonderland.” Then plan activities, foods and decorations with a nontraditional twist.

“Make fun of the assumption that people need to be coupled,” he said. “Make light of it, kind of get even a little bit with the assumptions. Celebrate your singleness together.”

At the very least, Jurich said those who are single should plan a distraction like going to a movie – though he warns against a romance. He also said that Valentine’s Day is a horrible time for a first date or blind date because the expectations are too high.

Jurich also has advice for the recently single or those who are prone to think about old flames on Valentine’s Day.

When a memory is just a memory

“There is nothing wrong with being nostalgic and visiting, just don’t set up a tent there,” he said. “Find a good friend to commiserate with, preferably somebody who is happy being single or who had a miserable relationship with someone and is glad they are gone.”

Then spend the evening naming one advantage for every disadvantage there is to being single on Valentine’s Day, he said.

“If you can laugh at Valentine’s Day and laugh at the ‘misery’ of being single, you will give yourself distance — and distance will help you stay out of the self pity thing,” Jurich said.

Prepared by University media relations

Sauer appointed to pivotal dietetic group

February 3rd, 2010

Kevin Sauer, assistant professor in hospitality management and dietetics, has been appointed to a committee that will determine the way dietitians will be credentialed in the future.

He will serve on the Dietetic Practice Audit Committee of the Commission on Dietetic Registration. The comprehensive audit is conducted nationally every 5 years to clarify and validate the full range of professional knowledge tasks and activities essential for entry-level practice in dietetics. Subsequent research initiatives may be planned to examine practice beyond entry level and at advanced levels.

Building a research foundation

Results provide foundational information for the development and validation of the examinations for the Registered Dietitian (RD) and Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) credentials in addition to educational competencies established by the Commission on Accreditation of Dietetics Education (CADE).

“This is a very high-power committee,” noted Deborah Canter, head of HMD. “Dr. Sauer will work with the committee and a research consultant to design the survey method and instrument, approve the methods of survey distribution and data collection, and evaluate the resulting data for use.”

Surveying dietetics practices

With responsibilities in the areas of credentialing, education, and practice standards, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE), and the American Dietetic Association (ADA) have need of current, comprehensive information on dietetics practice. One response to this has been to periodically conduct empirical practice analyses to profile what dietitians and dietetic technicians actually do in practice.

Sauer, who is a registered dietitian and a licensed dietitian, will serve with 14 other educators and practitioners from around the country.

Supporting women in agriculture: the conference tradition celebrates 7th year

January 28th, 2010

The target group is women who are involved in agriculture. Why?

Kristy Archuleta has two answers.

“Women need access to pertinent information in an environment that feels safe to ask questions” is Archuleta’s first, and easiest, answer.

The second reveals a complexity that entwines tradition, the economy, and the mixing of family and business that may become accentuated in a rural environment, Archuleta said.

Archuleta, assistant professor in family studies and human services, has helped coordinate the Women Managing the Farm Conference for 6 years. The 2-day meeting will be Feb. 5 and 6 in Wichita.

The relationship managers

“Women are often the relationship managers in family businesses. This can be a very complex role to fulfill in a farm family because the farm business is always intertwined with the family and it’s very difficult to separate the two. We want to protect the relationships that can tear a farm operation apart,” Archuleta explained.

The mission is to help the farm family succeed in business.

“We offer an environment that gives women in agriculture a safe place to ask questions, network with other women like themselves, and an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills to help their farm businesses be successful. Farm women often put themselves last on the list of farm and family priorities and this conference allows some time away from their daily lives to enjoy themselves, too,” the professor and family financial counselor said.

Number of women in agriculture careers grows

While more women are choosing agriculture as a career, women also sometimes land in agribusiness unexpectedly, by marriage or a change in responsibilities in managing a family farm or agribusiness, she said.

In 2009, more than 225 women from Kansas and Oklahoma attended. This year Archuleta expects around the same number. “They are college age to women in their 70s,” she said. “They are farm operators or connected to agriculture as an absentee landlord or just want to learn more about working with women in agriculture.”

Conference topics will include business planning, health, managing employees, estate planning, trusts, long-term care insurance, coping with clutter, facilitating family meetings, water rights, farm safety, beef quality assurance, soil and crop rotation and mental health.

The WMF conference has been developed for all women involved in an operation from the fulltime manager to the absentee landowner needing a bit of insight about managing their investment.

Speakers to address farm law, consumer debt, health

The five keynote speakers are:

• Ellie Kay, a military spouse currently based in Palmdale, Calif. She is an author, corporate educator and spokesperson, and mother of seven who worked to eliminate $40,000 in consumer debt in 2-1/2 years. She is founder of the Shop, Save and Share Seminars, now lives debt-free, and will share her financial management tips in her presentation.
• Roger A. McEowen, professor in agricultural law at Iowa State University in Ames. He also is director of the ISU Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation. Formerly, McEowen was an associate professor of agricultural law and an Extension specialist in agricultural law and policy at Kansas State University.
• Dr. Tana Goering, a physician practicing in Wichita, Kan. Her practice includes obstetrical care, and focuses on family care and health education.
• Shannon Ferrell, assistant professor at Oklahoma State University where he serves as Extension agricultural law specialist and teaches a course on agricultural law. Ferrell earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural economics and a law degree from the Oklahoma City University School of Law. He is licensed to practice in the state and federal courts of Oklahoma and specialized in agricultural, environmental and commercial law before joining the faculty at Oklahoma State.
• Kyle Bauer is general manager of KFRM 550 AM radio. In leading one of the nation’s largest farm radio signals, Bauer believes “everyone has a story.” For the conference, he will share agriculture stories and offer tips for attendees in sharing their story.

“One of the key benefits of attending the conference is meeting others who share similar challenges and concerns,” Archuleta said.

Registration and more information, including scholarship opportunities, are available on the conference web site. For questions about registration, call 1-320-224-0154 or e-mail wmf@ksu.edu.

The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Wichita. For reservations or more information, contact the hotel by calling 316-293-1234.

The conference is sponsored in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency, Farm Credit Associations of Kansas, Kansas Soybean Commission, Kansas Wheat Commission, ProAg Insurance, USDA Farm Service Agency, Kansas Agri-Women, the Kansas Department of Commerce, KFRM Radio and Kansas State University.

Prepared by Human Ecology communications and K-State Research and Extension News Media Services

Noted Mexican culinary expert brings sizzlin’ workshop to campus

January 28th, 2010

Jane Butel wears the title Chile Queen with aplomb. Often credited with starting the Tex-Mex cooking craze, she wrote and taught about Southwestern and regional Mexican cuisine before most people knew how to pronounce “jalapeno.”

Her educational roots are chile-free. After graduating from K-State’s College of Human Ecology with a degree in home economics and journalism and after carrying hefty positions such as vice president for American Express in New York, Butel became a devotee of the chile and its accompanying cuisine. She has written “Real Women Eat Chiles” (Northland, 2006) and 19 other cookbooks.

Workshop to be Feb. 25 and 26

Butel brings her internationally-famous skills to campus Feb. 25 and 26 for the annual Culinary Enhancement Workshop sponsored by the Department of Hospitality Management and Dietetics.

“Flavors of the Sizzlin’ Southwest,” the Feb. 25 workshop for foodservice professionals and alumni, is limited to 50 attendees. The first 30 to register will make tamales in an hour-long hands-on session with Butel.

Registration for the workshop in Derby Dining Center closes Feb. 12. Cost ranges from $100 for an individual to $500 for Culinary Leader sponsorship.

On Feb. 26, Butel repeats the workshop for students.

One of top cooking schools

Her cooking school in New Mexico, named one of the best in the U.S. by Gayot.com and Bon Appétit magazine, has been featured in publications around the world. Butel also conducts culinary tours in Mexico and Spain.

The teacher’s topics at K-State will be chili madness, corn craze and the evolving Southwest. Lunch will feature her favorite recipes.

Registration includes demonstrated recipes, lunch, beverages and a copy of “Chili Madness, a Passionate Cookbook by Jane Butel” (Workman, 2008).

For information, contact Missy Schrader at schrader@ksu.edu. To register by phone, call Charla Henry at 785-532-7536 or 800-432-1578.

Check out “Flavors of the Sizzlin’ Southwest” on Facebook:

• Workshop for Foodservice Professionals and Alumni
• Workshop for Students