Ashland University Student Participates in Ohio Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Annual Meeting

ASHLAND, OH (04/04/2012)(readMedia)-- Cassandra Baird of Wayland, NY, participated in the poster session presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Ohio Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (OAFCS) in Dublin, Ohio. The meeting titled "Connecting Professionals: Balancing Lives" was held March 23-24 at the Dublin Embassy Suites.

Baird is the daughter of Walter and Mary Baird of Wayland. She is a 2008 graduate of Wayland Central High School and is majoring in child and family studies.

Ashland University faculty: Dr. Cindy Moseman, chair of department and assistant professor of family and consumer sciences, Dr. Nancy Morris, associate professor of family and consumer sciences, Dr. Deborah Sullivan, professor of family and consumer sciences, and Dr. Jacqueline Wilkins, assistant professor of family and consumer sciences participated in the poster session presentations along with the AU students.

The Ashland County United Way program "Crunch Out Obesity" was presented by Ev DeVaul, Kelly Usher-Cooke (FCS graduate), Korynn Kelly (FCS student) and Dr. Sullivan as a general session on Friday. Childhood obesity is a priority issue in the OAFCS Action Plan. The initiative was presented as a model for other counties/organizations.

Other highlights included Dr. Cheryl Achterberg, Dean, The Ohio State University, who served on the most recent (2010) U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. She shared how the guidelines were put together, how decisions were made and how teachers and clinicians can influence formation in the future.

Dr. Susan Shockey, national president, addressed the group Saturday morning with a presentation entitled: "Yes – You Can! Be All You Can Be." Also in attendance from the national office was Gay Nell McGinnis, AAFCS Division Director who spoke about AAFCS certification credentials.

Dr. Sullivan was installed as President of the state organization during the dinner and awards ceremony Friday evening.

Ashland University, ranked in the top 200 colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report's National Universities category for 2012, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.