Walker Receives AAFCS
Distinguished Service Award

(Alexandria, Va. - July 30, 2007) — Retia Scott Walker, retired vice president, academic outreach and service, University of Kentucky, was honored with the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences’ (AAFCS) most prestigious national award, the AAFCS Distinguished Service Award, at its recent 98th Annual Conference & Expo in Reno, Nevada.

Retia Scott Walker was recognized for her exemplary academic contributions and service to the family and consumer sciences profession over the past four decades. She has led by example and consensus building, exemplifying intellectual ability, integrity, and focus. Following appointment as a food service manager, administrator of adult and continuing education, and supervisor of adult consumer homemaking programs in New York schools, she transitioned to higher education in Iowa, Texas, Maryland, and Kentucky where she provided leadership and strategic planning. As a scholar, Walker published journal articles and book chapters related to diversity, aging, and international development. She testified before the U.S. House of Representatives for Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act and reviewed manuscripts for the Gerontologist, Journal of Applied Gerontology, and the Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences.

Prior to receiving the AAFCS Distinguished Service Award, Walker was honored with the Young Research Award in Aging from the Association for Gerontology and Human Development, the Lagomarcino Laureate Alumni Award, and the Jordan Larsen Award for Outstanding Doctoral Graduates of Iowa State University.

Colleagues commend Retia Walker as “a mentor and an advocate for female leaders” whose stellar leadership within and outside of the profession have left an enduring “mark” that is worthy of the recognition that comes with the AAFCS Distinguished Service Award.

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 quotes, please contact Gwynn Mason at 703-706-4600, ext. 4621, or gmason@aafcs.org.

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