Uniting Generations Focus of Upcoming American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences Convention
San Diego, CA, June 26 – June 29, 2004

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA - June 22, 2004 - How can a teenager learn from and bond with people of an older generation? How does a child make decisions about what type of care is best for an elderly parent who can no longer take care of himself or herself? How will baby boomers age differently from their parents’ generation? More than 1,000 family and consumer sciences professionals (FCS), gerontologists, nurses, social workers, and other professionals will gather to address these questions related to the increasingly aging U.S. population at the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) 95th Annual Convention & Exposition, June 26 – June 29, 2004, at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego, CA.

This will be a particularly timely meeting, as the California Senate has just passed legislation requiring its schools to provide parenting education, an important component of family and consumer sciences (home economics in California) cutting-edge curriculum. California high schools must incorporate the parenting curriculum by 2009-2010.

Keynote Speakers:

Geriatric specialist and CEO of Second Wind Dreams, Paula “P.K.” Beville, will present Laughter Etched Within the Wrinkles: Do We Really Know Our Elders? during the Opening General Session, Saturday, June 26, 1:15pm – 3:15pm. She will also be conducting a Virtual Dementia Tour for participants used to sensitize people to the challenges of aging. Ms. Beville co-authored Second Wind, a book about the positive and upbeat aspects of aging and is frequently featured on CNN, NBC Nightly News, the Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, Woman’s Day Magazine, Southern Living Magazine, and numerous other media.

Intergenerational relationship expert Jim Gambone, addressing Together for Tomorrow: Inspiration and Hope Across the Lifespan, will be the featured speaker at the Closing General Session on Tuesday, June 29, 10:00am – 12:00noon. Dr. Gambone’s work on International Year of the Family issues as well as his “Intergenerational Dialogue” and “ReFirement” workshops are relevant to all ages.

AAFCS Honorees and Awardees:

2004 National Teacher of the Year – Presented at the Opening General Session, Saturday, June 26, 2004, 1:15pm – 3:15pm

• Carol A. Watkins, CFCS
  Bradwell Institute
  Hinesville, Georgia

Contact Gwynn Mason to schedule an interview, news report or live appearance.

Friend of the Family Award – Presented at the Opening General Session, Saturday, June 26, 2004, 1:15pm – 3:15pm

• Patrick Bresette, Associate Director
  Center for Public Policy Priorities

21st Century Community Champion Award – Presented at the Opening General Session, Saturday, June 26, 2004, 1:15pm – 3:15pm

• Sears Roebuck and Company

2004 Distinguished Service Award Winners – To be given at the Pacesetter Dinner, Monday, June 28, 2004, 7:00pm – 9:30pm

• Karen P. Goebel, CFCS
  Professor and Extension Specialist, School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
• Janet M. Johnson
  Dean Emerita, Human Sciences and Education, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
• Nancy B. Leidenfrost, CFCS
  Retired Home Economist, Family and Consumer Sciences Professional, and FCS International Volunteer Worker, Harwood, Maryland
• Coby B. Simerly, CFCS
  Retired, Former Associate Dean for Outreach, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, Naples, Florida

2004 Leaders - To be given at the Pacesetter Dinner, Monday, June 28, 2004, 7:00pm – 9:30pm

• Virginia Felstehausen
  Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Faculty Fellow, Teaching, Learning and Technology Center, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
• Lillie Beasley Glover, CFCS
  Professor Emeritus, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, South Carolina
• Sarah T. Hawkins, CFCS
  Professor, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana
• Soyeon Shim
  Professor and Director, School of Family & Consumer Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

2004 New Achievers - To be given at the Pacesetter Dinner, Monday, June 28, 2004, 7:00pm – 9:30pm

• Cheryl A. Empey
  USU Extension Educator/4-H Agent Assistant, Utah State University, Cache County, Logan, Utah
• Kendra K. Naef, CFCS
  Family and Consumer Education Teacher, Kimberly Area School District (Kimberly High School), Kimberly, Wisconsin

About AAFCS
The American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences, based in Alexandria, Virginia, and founded in 1909, is the only not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to bringing people together to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities. AAFCS' more than 10,000 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. These professionals develop, integrate, and provide practical knowledge about life skills — financial literacy; child care and parenting; conflict resolution; consumer education; housing and environment; apparel and textiles; and dietetics and nutrition. For more information, visit www.aafcs.org or call 800.424.8080.

# # #