As the 1999 issueof Human EnvironmentalSciencesis releasedwe stand on the cusp of the new millennium.We livein excitingtimes characterizedwith a simultaneoussense of urgencyand nostalgia.The future appearsb1ightand hopeful filledwith unlimitedpossibilitiesyet there is a longing for the familiarityand safetyof past eras. Current films,books and fashioneach illustratethe dual nature, the push-pull,of these times.What, ,ve may ask, "~ll endure into the next century?
Recently,in preparationfor writing a recommendation,I had the opportunityto reviewa graduatingsenior's resume'. The student, Ch1ist:inaHoward, is a highly motivatedexemplary nutritionalsciencesstudent who has distinguishedherself throughout her collegiatecareer in the classroomand as a wliversitycitizen.She has taken advantageof the many opportunitiespresentedto her and has given back unselfishlyto the communitythrough ser~ce.
As1 pondered the informationin Christina'sresume' and essay,I was struck with the number of people who had investedin Ch1istina.She referencedher family'ssupport, encouragementby teachers,scholarshipdonors, and acti\~ty sponsorsthat fosteredleadershipespeciallywithin the college and university.My conclusionwas tl1atthe investmentsmade in Cl1Jistinawillcertainlybe enduring. If one is doubtfol of tl1e foture, I would recommend meeting Christinaand the many other studentslike her in the college.Severalare feauu-edin this magazine.These students are proof that the new 1rullennium is in good hands and that the investmentsmade in them willendure.
If ever there was an endwing investment,it is the child developmentlaboratory.This year tl1e"CDL" is celebratingits 75th birthday.Feauu-edon the coverare the Hacklemansisters, Sue, Jane and Joy who began their educationsas OSU pre-schoolers.Tl-iey,and scoresof others, credit the laboratory for providingan endw-ingpositiveintroduction to the love of learningand co1runitmentto children.A bit of nostalgiais to be fow1din tl1estory locatedin the middle of this issue.
I would be remissif I didn't mention probablythe most ~sible expressionof all enduring invesU11ents - tl1ecollege'sfacilities.Investmentsin facilitiesprovide su1dentsand faculty
with tl1etools and experiencesneeded for their successand are illustratedthroughout this issue.The new nuttitionalsciences laborato1ics,as well as the Student Union Hotel and tl1e CDL's Outdoor Learning Environmentrenov:.1tions,willall aftect liveswell into the fouu-e.But not to be forgotten, investments in facultydevelopmentnot only endures for tl1e individualfacultymember but also multipliesas tl1eyinvest their enhanced expertisein their students. With increased knowledge,better facilitiesand outstandingsu1dents,tl1etriangle is completeand the investmentendures.
Throughout this magazineI think you willfind much excitement and cause for hopefulnessfor our future.Yet,you will also find referenceto building on tl1estrengths of tl1epast. The stories focuson endmi.nginvest111ents in people that haveand willstand the test of time. I am remindedof a favoritequote from a person I admire, BarbaraWalters,"To excelis to reach your own highest dream. But you must also help otl1ers,where ,md when yon can, to reach theirs. Personalgain is empty if you do not feelyou have positivelytouched anotl1er'slife." Touching other livesis wily an enduring invest111ent.
DeanPatriciaKnaub
6 LOVEOF LEARNING
The child development laboratory is celebrating its 75th birthday, and thousands of graduates credit the program for fostering a love of learning.
CHES MAGAZINE • VOLUME 6, 1999
Director of Extension and Development - Debra Engle
Editor - Debra Basore
Art Director - Valerie C. Kisling
Assoc.Designer - Paul Fleming
Photography- Andy Maxey unless otherivise noted
CHES Magaz'11eis a publication of the Oklahoma State University College ofH1m1ai1 Environmental Sciences. Its purpose is to connect this college with its mai1ystakeholders, providing information on both cainpus news ai1d pertinent issues in the field ofhumm enviromnental sciences.
Is a reality for design, housing and rnercha11dising students thanks to Jean Bullen Newma11.
16 GAINING INSIGHT
Internships offer insight into the futme.
17
A LEADER WHO SHINES
Hmna11 environmental sciences inducts Carlea11Orr into the Hall of Fame.
COVER:OSU Child Development graduates Joy Roberts, left, Jane Anderson, center, and Sue Taylor, reflecton their child development laboratory experience. The three sisterssay the program gives childrena jump-starton their education. See story, page 6.
Visit our Web site at: www.okstate.edu/hes/ OklahomaStateUniversityincompliancewithlitleVIandVIIof theCivilRighaActof1964,E,ecutM!Order11146 01 omended, TilleIXoftheEducationAmendments of 1972,Americanswith DisohilitiesActof1990,andotherfederollawsondregulotions, doesnotdiscriminateonthebasisofrnce,color,notionalor~ gin,sex,oge,1eligion,disobility,orstolusosovelenminonyof itspolicies,procticesorprncedures.Thisindudesbutisno!limitedtoadmissions,employment,finamialaidondeducatianul se,vices.Thispublicatian,issuedhyOklohomaStateUniversity asaulhorizedbytheCallegeofHumanEnvironmentalSciences, wosprintedbylheAudioVisual(enter,Unive~ityPrinlingSer• vicesalnocosttothetaxpayerofOklahoma.7M/Mmch/99. 14951
A ClassofLeaders
The coUegeof human environmentalsciences (HES) has alwaysbeen known for its outstanding students, and this year's freshman classis no exception.
The classcame in with higher academic scores,and many have been awarded a variety of scholarships.
One way the collegehelps freshmen succeedis through the HES Freshman Council (HESFC). Designed to help make sure these new OSU students achievetheir personaland professionalgoals, HESFC is
Newalla,Okla., was named the college's Outstanding Student last year.
The council begi.nsthe school year in August with a "LeadershipLaunch" at the Camp Redlandsropes course. Freshmen are joined by HES Ambassadorsand Student Cow1eilofficersin activitiesdesigned to develop teamworkand commLuucation skiUs,Howard says.
As the school year proceeds, HESFC members contact each freslrn1anmonthly and i.mplement.afreshmanmentor
New Department Head
Dr.PatrickJ.MoreaofLasCruces,N.M.,wasnamedprofessor onddirectoroftheschoolofhotelandrestaurantadministration inJanuary.HereceivedhisA.A.S.inhoteltechnologyfromNew YorkCityTechnicalCollege in 1967,hisB.S.inbusiness administrationfromtheUniversityofNevadaatLasVegas in 1969,hisM.P.S.inhoteladministrationfromCornellUniversity in 1976,andhisEd.D.inhighereducationadministration from theUniversityofNevadaatLasVegas in 1983.Moreo'sgoalis tobuildona 60.yeartraditionofexcellence,andbecomethe tophotelandrestaurantschoolintheWestbycombiningtheory andpractice.
Furniture Donation
an endmi.nginvestmentthat pays 11.igh dividends.Spe.:ifically,the pmpose of HESFC is to enhance leadershippotential of HES freshmen and to provide a support group and networking systemto inform the students of opportrnuties.
Christina Howard, HESFC co-advisor, saysthe council is composed of 25 outstanding freslrn1enselectedon the basisof leaderslupand acadenucability.Howard, a senior human nutiition major from
progran1that providesan individualized upperclassman-mentorthroughout the year.
The corn1eilalso hosts an amrnal "ScholarslupFair" for students, specifically targeting freshmen, to make them aware of upcoming scholarslupdeadlines.
With these efforts, the outstanding freshmenwill somedayfill the shoes of present-dayleadersand mentor the stars of tomorrow as leadersthemselves.
CAROLYNGONZALES
HotelandrestaurantadministrationalumnusStevenD.Jams donatedmorethan$20,000worthoffurniture,shading, carpetingandplantsfortheskywalkareaandthewestfirst floorentrancetoHumanEnvironmentalSciencesWest.}oms, vice-chairmanofMeriStarHospitalityCorp.inDallas,says it servesasafittingimagefortheentrancetotheschoolofhotel andrestaurantadministration.
When students decide on a career in Imman environmentalsciences(HES), they can do so with the confidencethat a seamlessprogramis now in place, covering them from recruitment to career acquisition.
"A fewyearsago, we took a look at our programsand their effectiveness,"saysDr. MargaretWeber,HES associatedean of academicand researchservices."We determined that the potential employersof OLu· studentsare so varied in their manpower needs,a placementeffort more tailored to those needswas necessary."
Webersaysthat conclusionled to the creationof a newposition- coordinatorof HES careersen~ces.MichelleOverstreet,a formerhumanenvirom11entalsciencesOutstandingStudentAwardrecipient,refersto her newpositionas one of matchingstudents withthe tight position.
"We have found that even among the four departments of the college,it takes different types of recruiting for potential employersof our students," she says."For instance,in hotel and restaurant administration, we have large firms recruiting high numbers of students.
"Compared to design, housing and merchandising,where some employers might hire one or possiblytwo designersa year," she says.
Overstreet saysher officeis exploring waysto get the potential employertogether with the college'ssn1dents.
"Whether it's bringing owners of firms in to speak to our classes,or whether it's sending our students to them to do job shadowing,we're exani.iningnew waysto say,'Hey, we're out here. Here's what our degree program offers, and here are the
skillsour students are graduating with,"' she says.
Overstreet saysa large part of her effort is in educating potential employersabout the transferableskillsof the students.
"For example,our early cli.ildhood education students would traditionallygo into the pubLicschool classroom,but we're now seeing additionalopportunities for them in the health department, large corporate settings or other more non-traditional settings.
Our students work with people the whole time they are here, she says."We are the people place, and we are doing our b~st to help our students and their potential employersremember that."
An Illinoiscoupleis ensuringstudentswill succeedin schoolas wellas their careers.
Dr. Richardand Mrs. Elizabeth(Catlett) Hagemanrecentlyestablishedthe CatlettHagemanEndowedGraduateFellowship.
"I havealwaysbeen interestedin encouragingyoungwomen to pursue advanced degreesin the area of nutritionalsciences,'' Mrs.Hagemansays.The couple's giftwill providestudentswith a chanceto pursue a careermuchlikethat of Mrs. Hageman, but withenhancedopportunitiesfor advancement.
In 1941, she graduatedfrom Oklahoma A&Mwith a nutrition major and biochemistry minor- somethingquite unheard of at that time.Her careerbegan as a laboratory researchtechnicianin Berkeley'sHormone ResearchLab.She continued her careeras a researchlaboratorytechnicianand retired in 1983as a biochemistat tl1eUSDA Laboratory at the Universityof Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.
"Gettingto know one of our own who is suchan inspirationaland exceptionalindividualhas been a pleasureand a delight,'' saysdean PatriciaKnaub. "Elizabetllhelped pavethe waytllroughout tile yearsfor otl1er women,and she's doing it againwitll tile Catlett-HagemanEndowed Graduate Fellowship.We are very gratefulto her and her husbandfor this generous giftto our college."
Real World 'Experience
lhanksto Jean BullenNewman,gaining real-worldexperienceis a realityfor studentsin design,housing and merchandising.
Newman,a design,housing and merchandisingalumnain San Antonio, gavea $100,000giftto tile department to start an
endowment for internshipscholarshipsfor smdents.
"We stressthe significanceof internships witll the students' collegecareers,and Jean's gift helps enforcethe importanceof obtaining a qualityinternship," Knaub says."This willmake it financiallypossiblefor many of our future smdents to be able to do mis."
Commihnent to QuaHty
Students in tile school of hotel and restaurant administrationwill reap the benefits of a recent gift. Mr. James D. Carreker and his wife, Jane, recentlymade a $150,000 giftfor tile Student Union Hotel renovation project mrough tile school of hotel and restaurant administration.
Carrekeris Chairmanand CEO of WyndhamInternational.Wyndhamhas a 20-yearhistoryof ownershipand management of upscalehotels in North America, Europe and tile Caribbean.
"Just as OklahomaState Universityis committed to quality,so is WyndhamHotels & Resortsdedicatedto satisfyingtile expectations of tlleir guests," Carrekerremarked.
"We're pleasedto be able to make a conttibution to tile 1miquespirit that is OSU."
Giving Back
Two HES professorsare providingnew oppormnitiesfor gerontologysmdents. Drs. Joe and MargaretWeber have establishedtile WeberFacultyDevelopment FLU1d.
"We felt mis was a wayof givingback, much in tile styleof tile mentors tl1atassisted us," saysJoe Weber,head of tile OSU Gerontology Instimte. His wife,Margaret,is tile associatedean of tile college.
"We hope tllese scholarshipswillprovide encouragementand a senseof accomplishment to tile recipients,"he says.
As the millenniumapproaches,the lab is celebrating75 years of human investments which have resulted in happy, prosperous and well-adjustedpeople who have gone on to successfulcareers.
Nora Talbot, a former dean of home economics,establishedthe first nursery school in 1924 in a remodeled laundry area, making Oklahoma A&M College the second land-grant college in the nation to offer a nursery school program.
Talbot was a visionarywho saw that students majoring in child development needed actual observation and participation in a livelaboratory setting. The first "lab" was two rooms used for a group of two- and three-year-oldstaught by the first
Modern researcherssay the first three years of life are when "windows of development" for thinking, language, vision, attitudes, aptitudes and other characteristics are formed. Their findings confirm what teachers and students in OSU's Child Development Laboratory have knmvn for three-quarters of a century.
evelopment
nursery school teacher, Louise Shields.
Due to the number of women in defense jobs dming WorldWar II, the program was expanded to include three nursery school groups, tlu·eechild care centers and an after-schoolprogram.
"Today's program has also grown in response to work and familypatterns," says dean Pat:1iciaKnaub. "We offer the only full-daykindergarten classin Stillwater,an infant/toddler class,a two- and tl1ree-yearold class,two four-year-old-classesand a summer program for school-agedchildren."
Although the program has grown and prospered, its mission remainsthe same: to provide an educationalexperiencefor chil-
dren, provide a "live laboratory" setting for snidents seekingcareersin child development and help parents understand child behavior.
Not only has the child development laboratory offered quality child care for parents, it has enriched and educated tl10usandsof children and prepared future teachers.
"We've alwaysknown the importance of a child's first few years of life for forming social,emotional, languageand motor skills,"saysKnaub. "The latest researchis backing up what we've thought for a long time."
Read on to find out how severalof its graduates are doing today.
"I met my best friend at the CDL"
k to the Future
It's like a step back in time for one child developmentlaboratory graduate.
"It's kind of strange to walk by and look at the playground," saysPatrick Presnal,who attended the program in 1984. "When I was four years old, I attended the child developmentlaboratory and remember playingoutdoors.
"I also remember field trips to Theta Pond, the can1pusfire station, the pumpkin patch and my parents eating lunch with me," he says.
Presnalis currentlyan OSU freshman, majoringin hotel and restaurantadministration.
He has many fond memoriesfrom his experienceat the lab. One of the best was developingnew friendships.
"I met my best friend there," says Presnal."We were friendsall tlrrough public school, and I still keep in touch with him."
It's tl1efriendshipsand fond memories that keep graduates coming back.
was an excellent program when I attended, and I think it's even better today."
Qneration to Generation,the TraditionContinues
"I had such a good experienceat the mrrsery school when I was a child that I wanted my children to attend," saysKay Bmns, who attended the nursery school in 1944. "I remember trips to Theta Pond, 1idingtricyclesand playingon the wooden climbersoutside."
Burns' three children, Ken, Kirk and KyleKing, attended the program when it was located in the Home EconomicsEast building. And, today her five-year-old grandson, Ethan, participatesin the kindergarten program.
Burns, an OSU graduate, saysthe child developmentlaboratory has a very comprehensiveprogram that prepares children for public school. "It was an excellentprogran1when I attended, and I think it's even better today."
Burns, a Stillwaterreal estate agent, saysshe stillkeeps in touch with many of the fiiends she made at the nursery school. "Many of the fiiends I made at the nmsery school also grew up in Stillwaterand have become prominent businessand civicleaders in Stillwater."
It's like graduating twice from OSU, saysBurns. "I graduated from the nursery school and later graduated from OSU. My grandfather,father and two of my sons are also OSU graduates. I hope Ethan and his little brother also become OSU graduates."
yr;m Cl!assmate to Husband
Stickingyour tongue out at the school nurse is probablynot an appropriatething for a three-year-oldchild to do, especiallywhen that nurse would become your future mother-in-law.
Littledid Joy Hackleman-Robertsknow that she would grow up and marry a classmatewhose mother was the school nurse.
"I didn't have a crush on him or anything," she says."I rememberJohn in my class,but I didn't playwith him very much."
Joy Roberts' two sisters,Sue Hackleman-Taylorand Jane HacklemanAnderson,also attended the nursery school.The three Hacklemansistersgrew up in Stillwaterwhere Joy eventuallymartied John Roberts, her nursery school classmate.
Joy, the ymmgestof the three sisters, saysshe loved attending the nursery school. "I just lovedthe progran1,"she says."I liked it so much that I attended for four years."
The Hacklemansisterssay the program offered them a good start before entering public school. "Our mother thought it was a good oppornmity to be with other children," Anderson says.
The three sisterswent full-circlewith their OSU education. Tayloris a 1984 fanmyrelationsand child development
graduate;Anderson graduated with a degree in pre-schooleducation and Roberts attended OSU for two years.
Now with grown-up children and grandchildrenof their own, the sisters agree the program is necessaryfor today's working families.
"Workingmothers depend on quality childcare,and the child developmentlaboratory's nationally-accreditedprogram is what today's working familiesneed," Taylorsays.
SueTaylor,left,JaneAnderson,center,andJoy Roberts,affectionatelyknownasthe "Hacklemansisters,"attendedtheprogram in the1930s.Thetriosaystheprogramgave themagoodstartontheireducation.
The Next Generation
Quality programs like the child development laboratory is so important for children to attend, saysRamona Paul, assistant state superintendentof professionalservicesat the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
Paul knows from first-handexperience. She attended the child developmentlaboratory as a child and later as a student and professor.
"When I was about three yearsold, I attended the program," she says."It was wonderful and creative.My mother was on the facultyat OSU, so she put me in the program."
Paul, who grew up in Stillwater,went on to receiveher bachelor's and master's degrees in familyrelationsand child development from OSU. She also holds a doctorate in child and familysciencesfrom Purdue University.
As an advocateof education, Paul keeps on top of the latest research."The latest researchon the brain's developmentshows that there's strong evidenceon when the optimal time for learningshould take place.Researcherssay the first three years of life are when language,visionand other characteristicsare formed.
We're starting to see changesin curriculum based on these findings,especially in programs aimed at birth to age three."
Helping the next generation of Americans to grow and prosper is not only a goal for Paul, but for OSU's Child Development Laboratory as well.It's an enduring human investmentthat pays big dividends - thousands of happy,successful,welladjusted people.
DEBRABASORE
The Brain's Architecture
Isit natureornurture,genesorenvironment?
"Theansweristhatgenesandenvironmentoreprobably equallyimportant,"saysRonaldKotulok,Pulitzerprize-winning sciencewriterfortheChicagoTribuneandtheLela0'TooleLecturerforCelebrationofExcellence."Theenvironmentaffects howgeneswork,andgenesdeterminehowtheenvironment is interpreted."
Hewonthe1994PulitzerPrizeforexplanatoryjournalism for twoseriesonbrainresearch:"UnravelingtheMysteriesofthe Brain,"and"RootsofViolence."
Kotulokalsoistheauthorof"InsidetheBrain:Revolutionary DiscoveriesofHowtheMindWorks."Thebookdescribeshow o youngchild'sbraindevelops asit undergoesphysicalchanges inresponsetogeneticinstructionsandenvironmentalstimulation.
Inhisbook,hesoysthatoneofthemostsignificantfindings isthebrain'splasticity-itsabilitytochangeinresponse to environmentalfactors.
"Wecannolongerwritekidsoffasbeinghardwired,with brainsthatoreprecostfrombirth,"hesoys."Anewborncomes equippedwith100billionbraincellsandtrillionsofsynopses, a networkofconnectionsthatletsbraincellscommunicate with oneanother."
As the College enters the new millennium, its leaders are achieving new standards of excellence in instruction, research and outreach. The vision, creativity and commitment of these leaders will help shape the future of Oklahomans.
OSU/OU CollaborationNets Grant
A collaborationbetween OSU and the Universityof Oklahoma (OU) to look at childcare in the state has resulted in a $50,000 grant from Presbyte1ianHealth Foundation.
"It's an excitingtime to be involvedin childcare in the state of Oklal1omabecausewe are one of only 16 states that havedevelopeda systemof rating differentialqualityin earlychildhood settings," saysDr. Deborah Norris, assistantprofessor of earlychildhood education.
The grant will fund the researchon policychangesin Oklahoma's child care programs.Oklal1omahas approxinutely 1,900 child care ceiitersand an additional 4,200 child care homes that are licensed to serve 127,000 children.
Leading the way to evaluatethe progran1swill be Dr. Norris, principalinvestigator, and co-investigatorDr. Loraine Dunn, associateprofessorof earlychildhood education at OU.
Not only is this an opportunity for the researchers,but for om students as well, Nonis says.Graduate students from OSU and OU willvisit programsacrossthe state.
"The data collectedwillenable us to make compatisonswith sin1ilai·studiesin other states," said Norris. "It willalso provide policymakersat the locallevelsome state-specificinformation."
DOTTIEWIITTR
JeanGumersonofPresbyterianHealthFoundation,left,meets withDeborahNorris,OSUassistantprofessor,center,and LoraineDunn,OUassociateprofessor,todiscusstheprogress of theirresearchgrantonchildcareprogramsinOklahoma.
State-ofthe-artLab BringsGrants and Faculty
A state-of-the-artlaboratory in the nutritional sciencesdepartment has net more than $1.5 millionin researchgrants and progran1s.
The Founders and Associates,Inc. laboratoryhas not only garnered large researchgrants and new lab equipment, but it's attracted outstanding facultyas well.
"We have alwaysmaintaineda su·ong grant record," saysDr. BarbaraStoecker, head of the nuuitional sciencesdepartment. "Much of today's successis due in part to the renovation and continuing developmentof the Founders and Associates, Inc. Human Nuuition Laboratory."
A recent $150,000 gift from Founders and Associates,Inc. willhelp complete a seriesoflaboratories for the mmitional sciences deparunent.
"Without Founders' support of our researchendeavors,our facultyand students' vision for the 21st century would not have.been attainable," saysdean Pau·iciaKnaub. The gift supports labs for researchin a varietyof human nuuitional studies dealing with osteoporosisand other chronic diseaseproblems.
The exceptionallab facilitieshave made a world of differencein attracting new faculty.
"For example,"saysStoecker,"we were able to recruit Dr. Balm.mAtimandi from the Universityof Illinois."Arjmandi,now a two-yearmember of the faculty,has receivedmore than $250,000 in research grants since he's been at OSU.
His researchstudies involvethe affects of dietary manipulationson bone disorders including osteoporosisand osteoartlu·itis. The lab recentlyacquired a new bone densitometer tl1atwill increasetl1espeed and precisionof his studies.
"The machine,which is unique to tl1e region, can assesswhole body and regional bone mineral density and bone mineral
content in humans and smalllaboratory animals,"Arjmandisays.
Dr. Gail Gates, now in her fomth year at OSU, has seen the laboratorybefore and after its renovation.
"Researchin this department has alwaysbeen fairlycollaborative,"Gates says. "However,this facilityallowsus to forther our interactionin researchand proposal development,and we have been able to forther our competition for funding."
Gates' researchgrants helped acquire a new clinicalanalysismachine.This machinecan verifyGates' findingson the effectivenessof nutrition education in increasingpeople's folate, or Vitamin B, intakefrom eating grains.
"The use of biochemicalanalysisin addition to subject interviewsis important becausewhat people say they have been eatingand what they reallyare eating are not necessarilythe same thing," says Gates.
Another new grant helped acquire a pieceof hematologyequipment. Dr. Andrea Arquitt will use the equipment in a projecton infant malnutrition and its relation to immunity.The equipment performsmultiple,complete blood tests on both human and animal blood.
"Our department has been very successfulin initiatinga number of exciting progran1s,"saysStoecker."The strength and work of this department is and will continuallybe nationallyrecognized."
cseniorIndustry)Offers Varietyof Career Opportunities
The new mi.Lleniumwill offer a vaiietyof cai·eeropportunities in ai·eascollege students never dreamed of. One in pai·ticulai· is the senior industry.
"By the yeai·2030, the number of senior citizenswill double what it is today to 70 mi.Llion,"saysDr. Joe Weber,associate professorai1ddirector of the OSU Gerontology Institute. "As the number of senior citizens keeps growing, so will the opportunities for employment, not only in gerontology but in all degree areas offered in the college."
As a result, the college has taken an interdisciplinaryapproach to provide its students with the knowledgeand opportunities in this expanding field. One of the college's new pai·tnershipsinvolvesSenior Star Livingin Tulsa.
Weber saysthe pai·tnershipwith Senior Stai·Living offers facultyand sn1dentsai1 opportunity to become involvedin program development and practicalresearch which benefitsthe senior livingindustry and expai1dsthe knowledge base in gerontology. Cooperating with Senior Stai·provides ai1excitingexampleof how research, instruction ai1doutreach ai·einfluenced and chai1ged.
Last fall,severalSenior Star residents, along with Bob Fraser, executivevice president of Senior Stai·Living,made a visit to OSU to talk to students in the college about career opportunities.
Fraser told the students one of the biggest challengesis to stimulate the residents, both physicallyai1dmentally.
"We're not a nursing home," he says. "We're an independent retirement community that offersa vaiiety of programs for our residentsincludinga wellness program, computer u·ai.ningand educational workshops.
Think about prepai·ing90,000 meals a month for the same people, he told a group of hotel and restaurant students. It can be a real challenge.
"It doesn't matter how good a restamant is. If they had to serve three mealsa day to the same customers, they'd have a hard time keeping them satisfied."
This is also an area where dietitians can help out by developingmenus that ai-enuu·itiousas well as offering a variety of foods.
Another expanding field in the senior indusu-ywill be interior design.
"For example,interior designersare needed to design livingspaces,offices and dining rooms which have different design criteriathai1a residentialhome," he says."They have to think about what kinds of floorswork for wheel chair assessibility,wider doorways and lighting requirements."
"The alternativesare so much better today than they were 20 yeai·sago, and they're looking even better for the future," saysWeber. "We want senior citizens to enjoy their later years and hope OSU graduateswill play a role in it."
DEBRABASORE
HES OfferstheFM
\ s/Sor\itS_...
They say lifeis never the w-er ymO_!~~e -'fne design study tour is sch~~uledMay passport has been stamped'ancj_the·ec5llege 15-31, 1999, and wWmclude VISitsto La is offe1in{HMI.~lltel1]1ti0mt:Inpe1ience that Croix, GobelinsTapestryFactory and willchii~~ its students' lives.The college PrintempsStore, GallerieLafayette, is -planningthree Emopean study toms for Harrods, David Linley•Furnitureand OSU students this summer. KensingtonPalaceto see the Costmne Trips to Switzerland,England, France, Collection.They also plan to visit the deItaly and Germanyto study hospitality, sign studio that works witl1ladiesfashion fashiondesign and product merchandis- departments of Marks& Spencerand the ing, inte1iordesign, art and architecture Museum of Silk in Italy. and earlychildhood programs are sched- They are also planning.aprivatetour of uled. OSU facultywill accompanyeach La ScalaOp_eraHuuse where they willget tour.
The department of design,)J.ousing and merchandising(DHMJ will be offering a Emopean-;tudytour; hotel and restaurant administration(HRAD) will offer a study abroad program in Switzerland; and familyrelations and child development (FRCD) willoffer a study program in England, France and Germany.
a "behind the scenes" tour of the costumes and props.
The SwitzerlandhospitalitytOL~r is scheduledJLme24 - July 29, 1999 at the Hotel School Les Rochesof the SwissHotel Associationin Bluche,S\\~tzerlandand the Hotel Institute at Montreux, located 011 Lake Geneva.
The program is designed to give students an educationalexperiencethey can obtain no other way.Hotel and restaurant administrationstudents will have the opportunity to take two, three-credit-hour coursesthat wilJmeet four daysper week in Blucheand Montreux.
The early childhood education tour is schedu1ed1une8-21, 1999. The tour will visit interactivenursery schoolsin England, France and Germany.A two-credithour course is being offered with the tour.
Earlychildhood education majorswill have the opportunity to see childcare with a different twist. European businesses are more involvedin childcarecenters and it should give students a different perspective.
DEBRABASORE
Childhood is the time when lifelonghabits form.
And, Lmfortunately,statisticsshow that most children are eating too much fat, not enough fruits and vegetables,and they're not getting enough exercise- habits that can lead to chronic health problems later in life.
With that in mind, OSU, together \\~th Oklahoma CooperativeExtensionand the Oklahoma Beef Industry Council, has • produced a seriesof fun, informationallessons designed to give vital nutritionalinformation to children.
"We made the materialflexibleso it can be used \\~th a varietyof groups, such as day care centers, youth groups, after-
EarlyChildhoodProgramsin Tulsa
The collegeofhwnan environmentalsciences(HES) has had a presencein the Tulsaarea for manyyears,and the establishmentof OSU-Tulsais creating new opportunitiesfor the collegeto partner with Tulsaschoolsand businessesconcerning earlychildhoodeducationprograms.
"We expectto have all tlu·eemissionsinstruction,researchand OL!U"each - expressedin Tulsa," dean PatriciaKnaub says."There is much opportunity in tl1e outreacharena.Tulsa is a commwuty tl1at has a strong senseof wanting to do tl1e best tlung for cluldren,and right now, we're talkingto a host of agenciesabout how we can work together."
The TulsaChamber of Commerce, whichhas identifiedearlycluldhood programsas one of its primaryissues,is facilitating tl1edevelopmentof partnerslupsby bringingtl1ecollegeand variousagencies togetlm·.
schoolandsummerprogramsas well as me publicschools,"saysJaniceHermann, professorof nutritionalsciencesand nutritionspecialistfor CooperativeExtension in FamilyConsumerSciences.
The SuperNu.tritionActivityProgram (SNAP)contains13 lessonsaboutnutrition.Eachcontainsbackgroundinformationforthe instructor,keypoints, discussiontopics,funactivitysheetsfor children,take-homesheetsforparents,a chartwithstickers,andan evaluation page.
The lessonscovergrains;fruitsand vegetables;meats;dairy;sugarand fat; snacks;breakfast;groundbeef safety;supermarketfoodlabels;restaurants;
"The Chamber believesmat education at all levelsis tl1eetiticalforn1dationof economic developmentand that it helps ensme tl1ateveryonereachesadultl1oodas a conttibuting member of tl1ecommmlity," saysSusan Harris, vice presidentof mban developmentand resourcesfor the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce. "OSU can help us move tl1equality bar al1ead.The Lmiversity will bring to Tulsa tl1eresearchand formal knowledgeof what children need in terms of education, mltl"ition,healtl1 care and nurturing."
Altl10ughthe HES/Tulsa partnerslup is still in tl1eearlystages of development, many opportmuties are on tl1ehorizon from tlus burgeoning relationslup:
• Increasedgraduate and undergraduate student internslups;
• The establishmentof a Cluld Development EarlyLearning Center;
• Workshopson early childhood/ parenting topics;
manners;fitnessand physicalactivity;and water.
For example,the lesson about ground beef safetycalled "Is the ground brown?" teacheschildrenwhy ground beef is vulnerableto the E. coli bacteriaand how to test the meat for <loneness.One "Snappy Point" explainsthat brown vs. pink color isn't alwaysindicativeof dangerous bacteria. For example,meat seasonedwith Worcestershiresauce may look done even ifit hasn't been fullycooked.
Fun, hands-on activities,such as helping children use a meat thermometer at variousstages of cooking meat, helps them remember what they've learned.
• The expansionof developmentally-appropriate four-year-oldprograms;
• And, tl1ewmsfer of tl1elatest information to those who work directlywitl1 children.
"OSU will help us change tl1eface of tl1eserviceswe provide to young cluldren in tl1enext fiveyears,"Harris says."I tlunk it willbe a totallydifferentpicture in tl1e next fiveyears."
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HESdeanPatriciaKnaubhasestablished a TulsaAdvisoryBoard tolookintothefutureofearlychildhoodeducationprograms in Tulsa.DiscussingfutureplanswithKnaubareJohnGaberino, seniorvicepresidentandgeneralcouncilforOklahomaNatural GasCompany,Inc.,andClaudetteSelph,executivedirector of theParentChildCenterofTulsa.
Hermann saystlus fun approach to nutrition educationis working.
The evaluationsindicatechildren are interestedin the materialand are retaining what they learn, Hermann says.
"We are very pleased\vith our first-year results," Hermann says."After using the curriculum,there was a significantincrease in the total SNAPscore and in individual questionspertainingto washinghands before eating, eating fruits and vegetables •daily,using nutrition labelsto selectfoods and exercisingeach day.
"The eating and exercisehabits that children set now willcarry into adulthood," she says. "I reallytl1inkwe have made a big impactwith tlus."
Gaining Insight
One of the wuque things about the college of human environmentalsciences (HES) is that everystudent in the college must complete an internslup before graduation.
Internslups give students valuableexperience and an insight into their futme professions.
"I approachedmy interrislupdifferently," saysKellyNorvell, an appareldesign senior from Tulsa. "I made a list of placesI wanted to work. Then I put together a marketingbrochme about myself and sent it to them."
Her brochure and design sampleswere so impressivethat Anna Sui, an international fasluondesignerin New York,offered her the internshipover the phone.
"The opportwuties that I've receivedin HES have reallyhelped me excelat OSU,
and that's the reason I got the internship," she says.
At the Strong Cluldren's Research Center at the U11iversityof Rochester MedicalCenter in Rochester,New York, Julia Wlute, a pre-med human nuuition se11ior,worked with Dr. TracyMiller,a gastroenterologistwho specializesin nuuition of HIV children."
Wlute worked with Miller on a research project tl1atsmdied the nuuitional stams of HIV children.
"It was an unbelievableexperience,and I learned so much from Dr. Miller," says Wlute.
After a grueling two-hour phone interview,CaseySnelllearned he could do his internship at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs.
Snell worke;din the Broadmoor's catering and banquet servicesdepartment where he redesignedall tl1eu·ainingmanuals and developeda new employeehandbook. He formatted tl1ehandbook like a day planner.Employeescan refer to it throughout tl1eirfirst few days on tl1ejob and know what to do at any given time.
"These kinds of experiencesbroaden students' hotizons," saysSnell.
Snellplans to parlay!us bachelor'sdegree and specialevent, teaching and manageiial expetiencesinto a career in Oklahomawhen he graduatesin May. If the internshipsfor these students are any indication,they'll all be headed down the road to a five-starfuture.
arlean Orr's personal story is one of successthrough hard work, perseverance and a belief in education. The well-lrnownbusinesswomanand Tulsa civicleader came from modest roots. She was born near McAlester where her parents owned a small grocery and sw1eiriesstore. One of the first challenges she overcamewas to recoverfrom a severebout of rheumatic fever at the age of three.
She attended public schools in the area and tenaciouslypursued her high school education, overcoming obstacles such as wallcinglong distancesto attend classesand moving three times. She came to Stillwaterin 1936 to begin her studies at Oklahoma A&M College.
It was during this time that she met and began dating Herbert Orr, a junior who was studying chemistry.The couple eventuallymarried in Gutluie, and Carlean moved to Oklahoma City after finishingthe academicyear in Stillwater.
To help Herbert, Carlean worked severaljobs, including one as cook at the Oklal1ornaCity YMCA,where her workday began at 5 a.rn. She also filledin for Herbert at the pharmacologicallab where he worked and managed to have her first child.
Carlean continued to help her family survivefinanciallyuntil Herbert could become established.Their progress was halted temporarilywhen World War II can1ealong. He became a surgeon with the 395t11Infantry and was sent to Europe.
After VJDay, tl1ecouple rewlited and moved to Tulsa. By now, tl1eyhad tl1reedaughters and were on the way to six-fivedaughters and a son. Carlean
Carlean Orr
The College of Human EnvironmentalSciences shines the spotlight on an outstanding leader whose dedication to the college merited her recent induction into the CHES
Hall 0 Fame
managed tl1ehousehold and took phone appointments for her husband. She also became more involvedin tl1emedical alL'ciliaryand in her cllildren's school and· athletic activities.Eventually,she became her husband's office manager and in her first year collected $10,000 more tl1an the year before.
During tl1eseyears,tl1eOrrs would buy older homes, and Carlean would clean, paint and remodel tl1em.As the familygrew, tl1eywould sell the homes and use tl1eprofits to buy homes witl1 more room for tl1eirexpanding family. The couple later bought rental property, a nursing home and a part interest in a larger nursing home chain. Carlean would later became president of a mobile home plant.
Wit11successcame civicresponsibilities, and Carlean responded by serving as president of the Tulsa Cmmty Medical Auxiliary,president of tl1eExchange Club of Tulsa Auxiliaryand president of tl1eCedar Crest Country Club. She has been an associatewitl1Founders and Associates, Inc. and wa·sa co-financial backer for building Doctor's Hospital
She also was secretaryof t11eRogers State College Foundation Lmtila stroke made it necessaryfor her to resign.
Through tl1eyears, tl1eOrrs have been good friendsand loyal alurrulito their university.She served on the executive conmlittee of t11eCollege of Human Environmental SciencesAssociatesand were instnm1entalin securing grants from Founders and Associates,Inc., to renovate the college's HLm1ai1Nutrition Laboratory. The facilityenhances the nutritional sciencesdepartment's abilityto attract students, facultyand reseai-ch grai1tS.
You Need to KnoW" About ChrisSalmon
Chris was a professional ... an academician ... a community servant.
But she was more. She was a purveyor of dreams, making dreams a reality, especially for Oklahoma State University and the department of design, housing and merchandising. And she still is.
Picture a pool of water - quiet and serene. Drop in a pebble. Concentric circles move outward, creating a design that positively impacts the pool. That's Chris Salmon.
As a faculty member for 20 years in the department of design, housing and merchandising, Chris influenced the lives of many students. A threetime recipient of OSU's Outstanding Teaching award, she was the consummate teacher and mentor to her students - stressing their professional roles, their responsibility to their communities and life in general. Her unflagging optimism and generosity of spirit made her a role model for many.
Today Chris still influences the lives at OSU through the Chris Salmon Endowed Professorship in Interior Design. It is appropriate that this architect and designer, teacher, researcher and mentor lends her name to the perpetuation of excellence. The professorship will allow OSU to recruit and retain faculty who have established exemplary reputation within education and industry, and who have the vision to identify new opportunities and needs - a person like Chris Salmon.
Help continue the legacy of this great teacher ~d researcher with a gift to her professorship. There are several ways to give. For more information, please contact Debra Engle at (405) 744-6571 or Dean Patricia Knaub at (405)744-5053.
