Virginia Richards Named
Director-at-Large of American Association of
Family & Consumer Sciences
(Alexandria, Va. - June 25, 2007) — Virginia Richards,
CFCS, EdD, associate dean, College of Health and Human
Sciences, Georgia Southern University, was named director-at-large
of the American Association of Family & Consumer
Sciences (AAFCS) at the recent AAFCS 98th Annual Conference
& Expo in Reno, Nevada. In a formal installation
ceremony, Richards and other AAFCS officers for the
fiscal year 2007-2008 were officially sworn in by
Past President Don Bower, CFCS, before an audience
of nearly 900 members and other conference participants.
“I am looking forward
to serving the members of AAFCS in this leadership
role,” said Richards. “As we look toward the celebration
of our Centennial, I hope to honor past, present,
and future members and leaders in my tenure on the
AAFCS board of directors.”
Richards brings her more
than 10 years of leadership experience in AAFCS to
her new role as director-at-large. At the affiliate
level, she has served as Georgia Association of Family
& Consumer Sciences (GAFCS) treasurer, president,
and chair of the Finance Committee. At the national
level, she has served as chair and member of the History
and Archives Committee and Ethics Committee. In recognition
of her outstanding contributions to the family and
consumer sciences profession, Richards has received
the AAFCS Leaders award and GAFCS Outstanding Professional
award.
With more than 30 years
of professional experience, Richards spent the first
part of her career teaching family and consumer sciences
classes at the secondary school level in Huntsville
and Lubbock, Texas. She then became assistant professor
of family and consumer sciences at Georgia Southern
University, and now holds the positions of associate
professor of family and consumer sciences and associate
dean for the College of Health and Human Sciences.
Richards earned a bachelor’s
and master’s degree in home economics from Texas Tech
University and a doctoral degree in general curriculum
from The University of South Carolina.
Other officers for the
2007-2008 fiscal year are Bonnie Braun, CFCS, president;
Shelly M. Nickols-Richardson, president-elect; Peggy
Wild, CFCS, treasurer; Susan S. Shockey, CFCS, director
of affiliates; Sue Buck, CFCS, director-at-large;
Kay M. Wilder, CFCS, director-at-large; Kristin L.
Warner, Student Unit chair; Dixie R. Crase, CFCS,
past president; and Carolyn W. Jackson, ex-officio,
executive director.
About AAFCS
Founded in 1909, AAFCS is the only national not-for-profit
501 (c)(3) organization providing leadership and support
to FCS students and professionals in multiple practice
settings. FCS professionals help individuals, families,
and communities make informed decisions about their
well-being, relationships, and resources to achieve
optimal quality of life. AAFCS’ 8,000 members are
elementary, secondary, and post-secondary educators,
researchers, and administrators; Cooperative Extension
educators; and other professionals in business and
industry, not-for-profit organizations, and government.
With national headquarters based in Alexandria, Va.,
AAFCS has 52 affiliates located across the United
States and Puerto Rico.
Interviews/Quotes
For more information or to schedule an interview,
contact Gwynn Mason at 703-706-4600, ext. 4621, or
gmason@aafcs.org.
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