K-State Human Ecology Celebration of Excellence to Honor Distinguished Alumni and Friends
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2005
MANHATTAN — The Kansas State University College of Human Ecology’s annual Celebration of Excellence will be Friday, Nov. 11. This year’s event, “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: A Legacy of Excellence,” brings together alumni, faculty, students and guests to celebrate the many ways the college changes lives through teaching, research and outreach.
The event will recognize alumni, emeriti faculty and benefactors who have created the college’s “legacy of excellence” that continues through their ongoing relationships with current students and faculty. A highlight of the event will be the recognition of six alumni and friends for excellence in their professions and contributions to the College of Human Ecology. Being recognized as 2005 award winners are:
Former Geary County attorney Chris Biggs, who will receive the Public Policy Award. Biggs currently serves as Kansas securities commissioner, a post he was appointed to in 2003 by Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. His office protects and informs Kansas investors, promotes integrity and full disclosure in financial services and fosters capital formation. Biggs received a bachelor’s in social work in 1980 from K-State. He is a supporter of financial education programs in the K-State School of Family Studies and Human Services. Biggs was elected to four terms as Geary County attorney and was a candidate for Kansas attorney general in 2002. He won the Kansas Outstanding Prosecutor Award in 1998.
Mitzi Dulan, Stilwell, will receive the Entrepreneur Award. Dulan is a 1995 graduate of K-State with a bachelor’s degree in foods and nutrition-exercise science. She is an expert and consultant in the field of sports nutrition, exercise and wellness. A frequently requested speaker, she is a registered dietitian, certified personal trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine, and specialist in nutritional counseling. She also acts as a media spokesperson and provides sports nutrition counseling to professional athletes. Dulan has conducted more than 100 television interviews, and has worked on behalf of the National Pork Board, Foster Farms, Green Giant, Baker’s Inn, Lean Cuisine and Selfcare.com. She has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Family Circle, Men’s Fitness, Fitness, Walking Magazine and other publications.
Mary Littrell, Fort Collins, Colo., will receive the Distinguished Research Award. Littrell received a bachelor’s degree in 1966 from K-State in home economics. Littrell’s research has taken her around the world to shed light on the lives of textile artisans and the challenges they face in the global market. Her book, “Social Responsibility in the Global Market: Fair Trade of Cultural Products,” describes nonexploitive and humanizing ways to conduct business that fosters employment, cultural integrity and business sustainability.
Littrell joined the department of design and merchandising at Colorado State University as department head in August 2004. Prior to 2004, she was the Mary B. Welch Distinguished Professor and director of graduate studies in the textiles and clothing program at Iowa State University.
Ayn Gelinas, Milford, Conn., will receive the Human Ecology Partner Award. She is director of evaluation sciences at Schick/Wilkinson Sword, encompassing the areas of sensory evaluation, consumer research, clinical evaluation and mechanical and objective testing. Gelinas has been an enthusiastic supporter of the K-State Sensory Analysis Center. In the past three years, she has provided more than $350,000 in funding for projects at the center, supporting graduate research assistantships, student travel to professional meetings, student research projects, salaries for several employees and many hours of descriptive panel time. She also was instrumental in leading Schick to provide $25,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation for graduate student scholarships. Gelinas also has provided internships for K-State students.
Kristin Van Scoy, Cincinnati, Ohio, will receive the Young Professional Award. Van Scoy received a bachelor’s in human ecology and mass communications from K-State in 1993. She is a senior manager in Procter & Gamble’s Global Marketing group, where she leads Marketing University, a top training and development organization dedicated to educating Procter & Gamble’s world-class marketers. Beginning in July 1999, Van Scoy led the North American launch of Downy Wrinkle Releaser. She has received a Silver Anvil Award, the highest honor awarded by the Public Relations Society of America, and a Golden SABRE, awarded by the International Association of Business Communicators.
Marilyn A. Corbin will receive the Distinguished Service Award. Corbin received a master’s degree in clothing and textiles from K-State in 1971 and a doctorate in human development and family studies in 1982, also from K-State. Throughout a career that has focused on many of the most pressing issues of 21st century life, Corbin has provided leadership to improve the quality of human interactions. Corbin is the associate director and state program leader with Penn State Cooperative Extension at Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa. Her areas of professional specialization include leadership and organizational development, program planning and development, diversity education, work and family balance, preventive outreach health programming and extension administration.
Celebration of Excellence events include informal presentations and exhibits around 11:30 a.m. in Justin Hall’s Hoffman Lounge. Seminars on various topics will be from 1:15 to 3:30 p.m.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 2nd, 2005 and is filed under Events.