By Olivia Loewer, a senior FNU major

The School of Human Ecology and the Department of Kinesiology have teamed up to fulfill a grant entitled “Enhancing Positive Adolescent

Self-Image Through College Student Peer Leadership.” Faculty and students work with female high school students at Ruston High School to develop a positive self-image. The program gives students in HEC and Kinesiology an opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom to practical, real-life situa-tions. The first half of the project was implemented in the fall and the second half began mid-February. The program consists of three parts: nutrition educa-

tion, self-image education, and physical activity. Mrs. Erickson, in Nutrition and Dietetics, is responsible for training the dietetic students involved with the project to lead nutrition education sessions and nutrition-focused activities. Dr. Heiden, in Fashion Merchandising and Retail Studies, and Mrs. Pumphrey, in Family and Child Studies, are teaching the girls the importance of a positive self-image. Dr. Chen, in the Department of Kinesiology, is responsible for training Kinesiology students to assist with the physical education portion of the project. The fall semester proved a successful start to the project. Faculty and students are hoping for an equally successful part two.

Keep up with your Tech family in the SCHOOL OF HUMAN ECOLOGY

bulldogCOMMUNITY

INTERDEPARTMENTAL GRANT PROJECT

School of Human Ecology and Department of Kinesiology

OUR

By Alex Hermes, a senior FMRS major

One of the most recent changes made in the College of Applied and Natural Sciences is in the Merchandising and Consumer Studies program, now known as Fashion Merchan-

dising and Retail Studies (FMRS). The primary focus for the FMRS program is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to work in both the manufactur-ing and retail areas of business.

One of the strongest aspects of the new program is its multi-dimensional approach to teaching and learn-ing. Not only are students trained in every aspect of Adobe Creative Suite software, but they are also of-fering hands-on learning opportunities in classes such as Textiles, Visual Merchandising, and Event Planning. Additionally, students are provided opportunities to travel to Dallas and New York City where they have the chance to network with professionals in different sectors of the fashion industry including retailing, event planning, and design. The connections they make allow them to gather information about which career path they want to pursue.

Two specific changes have been made to the curric-ulum that will be extremely beneficial for students as future professionals. They are now required to com-plete two internships during their college tenure, one as a sophomore, and the other as a senior. They also have the option of choosing a “built-in minor.” Con-centrations in Art, Entrepreneurship, Journalism, or Marketing, can help prepare students for a specialized career in fashion.

CURRICULUM CHANGE

By Lauren Jackson, a senior FCS major with a concentration in Family Science

The alumnae of the month is Jodie Forsee. She just recently graduated and is working for DART (Domestic Abuse Resistance Team). She is

currently the Child Advocate. Her respon-sibilities include planning activities for the children of the mothers whom DART is helping through abuse. Jodie said FCS has prepared her for her job because it provided classes that helped her understand the development of children and what affects them, and how they handle stress in their lives. Through her

experience with practica at DART, she was able to gain experience and work closely with the Child Advocate before her which allowed her to learn more about what the position entailed.

Hey everyone! My name is Alex Hermes, and I am returning to the Merchandising and Consumer Studies (or FMRS) program after taking a 3 year “intermission” from school. During my senior year at Tech (2012), I made a decision to pursue (what

I considered to be) a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I moved to Dallas to dance professionally. Now, I have finished that chapter, and I’m picking up where I left off in the completion of my degree!

I am currently working as a Design Assistant for SWOON, the studio, which is a design studio that specializes in both graphic and interior design here in Dallas, TX. In this fast-paced environment, I am learning the ins and outs of interior design, which is now my chosen career. After originally declaring a major based on my interest in fashion design, I assumed that re-directing towards interiors would be basically throwing my college career out the window. Howev-er, through my experiences with SWOON, the studio, I have been surprised to discover that many of the concepts taught in my design courses at Tech actually run very parallel to the Interior Design field as well!

Classes such as Textiles, Buying, Visual Merchandising, and Event Planning have all directly applied to various day-to-day situations I’ve encountered. The entire design process is borderline identical from creating the mood board, which is done using the Adobe software, to buying and purchasing inventory. Additionally, each time we perform

an “install” in the client’s home, we use many of the concepts I learned in Visual Merchan-dising such as spacing, vignette styling, color schemes, and general placement.

It has been so amazing to come into this design studio feeling like I had something to offer, even without a specific Interior

Design degree. After graduation, I plan to expand my knowledge of inte-

riors by joining a study abroad program and gaining artistic

in- spiration from a more global stand- point. Then after completing

the NCIDQ Exam, I will officially be a licensed Interior Designer, and will have all of the

components needed to successfully lead my own design firm!

recent events:By Alex Hicks, a senior FCS major with a con-centration in Applied Child Development

The annual Dr. Bruce Everist Lecture Series took place Thursday, February 5, 2015, at the Lincoln Parish Library Event Center and it was extremely success-

ful. This series is presented by the Louisiana Tech School of Human Ecology’s Center for Children and Families. This year’s focus was to raise the public’s awareness about the effects of social rejection. The film “Reject” was shown this year and WOW, what a deep and heartwrenching film to watch. It takes a science-based and solution-oriented look at the roots of social rejection. Two families shared

their personal experiences about their children being bullied and rejected during the film. Eric Mohat, a 17-year-old boy, from a town outside of Cleveland, was bullied during his math class everyday for seven months until he took his own life. In Oklahoma, we met a 5-year-old, Justin. Before moving to Ms. Terry’s class he was labeled as a “bully” from a previous school, where he was misunderstood and eventually kicked out. Entering Ms. Terry’s class, where he was accepted, he proved he was a delighful child. Ms. Terry had a great rule in place in her room - “You can’t say, you can’t play,” which teaches children to accept everyone as a friend and let them be apart of the group.

There were three panelists at the lecture

who discussed the film and topic who also answered questions after the film.

• Dr. Amanda W. Harrist, Professor of Child Development, Human Development and Family Science Oklahoma State University OSU Center for Family Resilience Associate Director

• Dr. Taren M. Swindle, Assistant Professor, Family and Preventative Medicine University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

• Dr. Julie M. Rutledge, Assistance Professor of Family and Child Studies School of Human Ecology, Louisiana Tech University

Dr. Bruce Everist annual lecture series

quarteralumnae of the

JODIE

Student Spotlight

ALEX

By Lauren Jackson, a senior FCS major with a concentration in Family Science

Recently, Family and Child Studies has been involved in multiple outreach programs within the college and community. They have part-nered with the early childhood developmental center on campus and started a Bulldog book club funded by the Lincoln Health Foundation.

The purpose of this club is to provide local, pre-kindergarten children with educational books to read at home. FCS hopes this project will increase preschoolers‘ access to books and encourage parent-child reading time. The teachers, parents, and children have all enjoyed and appreciated this project because literacy is the foundation of all learning. FCS would love for you to be a part of what they are doing. One way is to sponsor a month that would include a special activity with the children in the classrooms, which would be associated with the books they are given. FCS is also participating in a Youth4Health community-based program that combats childhood obesity. They have a round up at the Lambright Sports and Wellness Center from 9 am-12 pm on February 21, which will include physical activi-ty, nutrition, and family relations. Feel free to come out and be part of Youth4Health!

OUTREACH EFFORTS