Wednesday, October 26, 2011

FCS Majors Participate in Trunk or Treat


Three Family & Consumer Sciences majors participated in the annual "Trunk or Treat" at the Ashland County Fairgrounds on Oct. 15.

Child and Family Studies major, Amanda Butzer, developed creative sensory motor play activities that would engage children as part of her Family Life Education course.  She also created a handout for parents that provides ideas of what they can do at home to help their child learn everyday through play with little or no expense.

Two other FCS majors, Ellen Blowers and Emily Murray, joined in to interact with the children and parents.   

The three students also participated as part of the Talk, Read, Play …Together Ashland County School Readiness Initiative which seeks to assure that all county children, birth to kindergarten age, experience  nurturing learning environments at home and in the community, which will help them to succeed in school. The Ashland County Family and Children First Council (FCFC) and United Way of Ashland County joined forces to develop this initiative.



Amanda Butzer explains an activity to a young girl.












Emily Murray gives encouragement during the "egg and spoon" activity.












Emily Blowers helps direct a young boy through the course.

Thursday, September 29, 2011


Paris Fashion Institute

The Cite Universitaire, where courses for the Paris Fashion Institute are held.
Fashion Merchandising majors have the opportunity to study at the Paris Fashion Institute in Paris, France for a one month period in either June or September.  The course of study includes attending fashion shows, interacting with industry professionals, and working hands on with designer labels and lecturers.  Students earn nine credit hours, three in Ready To Wear Analysis, three in Fashion Evolution, and three as elective credit.  This year, Emily Murray, Megan Arnold, Kaylee Wolfe and Amberly Bucholz attended.  Upon their return, Emily and Megan gave a presentation highlighting their experiences in Paris.

Megan Arnold and Emily Murray in Paris.
AU Fashion Merchandising students (L-R) Megan Arnold, Emily Murray, Kaylee Wolfe and Amberly Bucholz with Joan White (center), Director, Paris Fashion Institute.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Food, Clothing and Culture in France!

Dr. Deborah Sullivan and Professor Eileen Ptacek, Professors in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department, will lead a group of AU students and community members to France March 2-10, 2012. This multi-city tour of France will take place during Ashland University’s Spring Break. Traveling to France will provide students with the opportunity to experience one culture in depth, with a focus on either the foods or the fashions of the area. The tour is tied to two courses being offered during the spring semester, FCS 211 Clothing and Culture and FCS 221 Food and Culture. However, taking the course is not a requirement to participate in the study tour. Join us! If interested contact Dr. Sullivan at (419) 289-5290 or dsulliv@ashland.edu.

Friday, September 2, 2011

2011 FCS Graduates...Where Are They Now?

Often college students worry and wonder what will become of them after graduation.  But if you are a Child and Family Studies major, we are here to tell you...Have No Fear!  Prospects are high for finding a rewarding career!  Our May 2011 graduates are doing very well for themselves.

Abbey Latham has accepted a position with Help Me Grow in Westlake, Ohio.  She is working as a Service Coordinator.




Marley McDonough is employed at Ashland Public Library in the Children's Library Department.  She has also been accepted into graduate school and will be attending Clarion University beginning this fall, majoring in Library Science.




Lisa Castelletti began her new career on August 29, 2011.  She is a Classroom Behavior Therapist at the Cleveland Clinic Autism Center. 


Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Reuse, Recycle, REVIVE

In fashion,” Green is the new Black.”  This year’s Fashion Promotion Class promoted the Green Theme  in its second annual Eco-Friendly Fashion show, Reuse, Recycle, REVIVE.  The show was the highlight of Ashland University’s Earth Week 2011.  Over 400 people were in attendance.

Craig Hadsell with his dress model
It was directed by Fashion Merchandising majors Lauren Schweitzer and Craig Hadsell. 

The show featured a Design Competition which exhibited creative and carefully crafted designs by Fashion Merchandising students.  The garments were required to be made of reused or recycled materials.  Thirty-three interesting designs were submitted made from such things as coffee filters, trash bags, newspaper, and old graduation gowns.  The Design Competition winners included:
Young Designer Award:  7 year old Lillian Grose for her design using recycled garments “Fashion Fool”
Honorable Mention:  Craig Hadsell, for his design using a recycled gown “Sexy in  
"Flowers In Bloom" Dress
the City” (pictured left)
3rd Place:  Erin Alleman, for her garment covered in recycled artificial flowers ”In Bloom”

2nd Place:  Hannah Brown, for her cocktail dress made of recycled Victoria’s Secret bags  “Victoria’s Secret is out”

"Victoria's Secret is Out" Dress

1st Place:  Meredith Parker, for her strapless dress  made of coconut fiber “Nature’s Awakening”

"Nature's Awakening" Dress



Monday, May 9, 2011

2011 FCS Graduates
FCS Graduating Seniors at the Student Recognition Reception on March 29, 2011


Congratulations to the nineteen FCS majors who graduated from Ashland University on May 7, 2011. 

Dr. Cindy Moseman and Dr. Jackie Wilkins with
Child and Family Studies graduates
Dr. Nancy Morris with Fashion Merchandising graduates


Thursday, May 5, 2011

Family Life Education Program Presentations


Family life education focuses on teaching the skills and knowledge needed for healthy functioning:  strong communication skills, knowledge of typical human development, good decision-making skills, positive self-esteem, and healthy interpersonal relationships.  The goal of family life education is to enable individuals and families to function optimally using a primarily preventive approach.
Four Child and Family Studies majors presented MULTI-SESSION Family Life Education programs to various groups in central Ohio.  CFS Seniors Abbey Latham, Katie Mock, Marley McDonough, and Sarah Ebinger all participated in this final project before their graduation from AU on May 7th. 


Katie Mock taught Conflict Management to 3rd Graders. 

Katie interacts with 3rd grade students in a lesson on conflict management.


Abbey Latham developed a program titled Love Lessons: Purity is Possible "Girls Night Out".  Her program targeted girls in grades 7-9 and focused on the importance to equip adolescent girls with the tools they need to make wise decisions.
Abbey leads a session on good decision making.




Abbey's students created notebooks as part of the program.







Sarah Ebinger developed a stress management program titled Balancing Stress Management with Work and Family, and presented it to the employees in the Financial Aid office at Ashland University.  She taught them how to find ways to manage their stress levels in the work force and also in relation to their home lives.

Marley McDonough presented family life education while interacting with young toddler and pre-school aged children and their mothers.  Her project focused on family similarities and differences.



Marley reads The Napping House to her group.




Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Dr. David Vanata, Sarah Ebinger, and mentor Dr. Cindy Moseman
FCS Senior Completes AU Honors Program

Child and Family Studies major Sarah Ebinger satisfactorily defended her honors thesis on May 4.  This challenging program was developed to provide academically talented students cross-disciplinary experiences as well as special projects and courses to challenge the mind. 

Sarah recently completed the Honors Capstone Project and defended her thesis, titled "Does a Private University Help International Students Socially Adjust?"  Her in-depth original project was mentored by Dr. Cindy Moseman, Chairperson for the Family & Consumer Sciences Department.  Congratulations, Sarah!  FCS is very proud of you!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

The Ohio Association of Family and Consumer Sciences 2011 Annual Meeting


Three Child & Family Studies seniors presented their research at the OAFCS Annual Meeting in Toledo, Ohio, April 1-2, 2011.  The conference focused on current research, analyses and practices that address the issues concerning linking cultures as a means to enriching lives.  As a profession, FCS focuses on practices that promote cultural competence within families and communities; behaviors that enable a person/program to work effectively cross-culturally; and ways to improve understanding, appreciation, attitude and respect for different cultures.  Adjunct FCS Professor Eileen Ptacek co-chaired the event.
Dr. Cindy Moseman, Katie Mock, Sarah Ebinger, Abbey Latham, Dr. Deborah Sullivan
with Sarah Ebinger's poster at the OAFCS annual meeting
Undergraduate Research Symposium at The Ohio Statehouse Atrium
Posters from 25 institutions on display at the Ohio Statehouse

On February 16, 2011, two Family & Consumer Sciences students presented their research at the First Annual Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges Undergraduate Research Symposium, held in the Ohio Statehouse Atrium.  This event exposed state legislators to the research opportunities that students have at private colleges and universities within Ohio state.  Twenty-five institutions were represented at the Symposium. 



Leah Allen and Dr. Wilkins
Leah Allen, a Child and Family Studies major, advised by Dr. Jacqueline Wilkins, Assistant Professor, Family & Consumer Sciences, presented "Collegiate Athletes' Perceptions of Parental Involvement and Sport Success." 





Abbey Latham and Dr. Cindy Moseman

Abbey Latham, also a Child and Family Studies major, advised by Dr. Cindy Moseman, Chairperson of the Family & Consumer Sciences Department, presented "The Influence of Attachment Style on Electronic Communication between College Students and their Parents."




Abbey and Leah observe Ohio state lawmakers in the chamber

Child and Family Studies Students Create Learning Centers


Recently, four FCS students developed and ran learning centers for an Ashland County School Readiness Initiative titled "Talk, Read, Play...Together!"  Child and Family Studies seniors Abbey Latham and Sarah Ebinger designed and built the Discovery Zone center for children from the infant stage through age four.  The Discovery Zone consisted of various containers (coffee cans, shoe boxes, peanut butter jars, etc.) and items to place in the containers (blocks, balls, beanbags, etc.), with different activities based on the ages of the children.  Infants were encouraged to shake the containers and listen to the sounds, and try to fit different objects into the containers. Toddlers could stack containers and match lids to containers, and preschoolers counted objects and sorted items by size and color. 

Abbey Latham interacts with children at the Kroc Center
Katie Mock and Marley McDonough, also seniors majoring in Child and Family Studies, developed the Water and Bubbles center.  They provided tubs, sponges, cups, funnels, basters and small fish nets and created age appropriate activites for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.  They also created a bubble solution recipe that parents could take home and use for home craft time.


Katie Mock at the working with children at the Water and Bubbles Center
More than 40 parents and their children attended the succesful event that was held at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Ashland.  It was sponsored by the Family and Children First Council of Ashland County and United Way of Ashland County.