Indiana State University graduates from the Master’s programs have been recognized at local, state, and national levels. Two recent Masters
graduates, Susan Kiger and Makuba Lihono have completed doctorates within the study period, and three recent graduates are currently enrolled in doctoral programs, Carol Werhan at University of Akron, Sherrie Eaton Bin
Dhar at Indiana State University and Kathleen Blade at Yale University.
A Sample of accomplishments of Master's Degree Alumni in the past
several years include:
Lesa Frederick Cagle (Dietetics) (1989) received the Recognized Young Dietitian Award from the Indiana Dietetic Association also in 1997.
She is currently president of the Indiana Dietetic Association.
Cherry Chanley (1994) is currently Indiana Dietetic Association Clinical Practice chair and serves as the RD member of the Indiana Dietitians
Certifications Board.
Jeff Novick (2001) is currently Vice President of the National Health Association. Jeff has been interviewed an appeared in the media many
time including appearances in Shape magazine, Newsday, Women's World, Women's Day and Men's Health. He was also a guest on Talk America Radio.
Carol Werhan (FCS Education, 1999) was recognized by the Ohio Association of Family and Consumer Sciences for her efforts to increase student
membership in the professional organization AAFCS.
Jeff Novick (F&N) won the state Research in Public Health award presented by the Indiana Public Health Association in October 1997. The
award was for his thesis research on the impact of nutrition education on knowledge and practices of family practice residents.
Amanda DiBerardino (Dietetics) was recognized by the Indiana Dietetic Association as the Outstanding Student in a Coordinated Program in the
state in 2001. Her name was listed along with other state winners in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
Indiana State University MS for Teacher Certification graduates who are currently teaching have frequently been chosen as teacher presenters and
curriculum writers for the Indiana Department of Education Secondary and Middle School Inservice Curriculum Resource Guides, and have participated in CARe (Communities Against Rape) interdisciplinary workshops
conducted statewide.
Carol Werhan (FCS Education 1999) was recognized by Purdue University for her role as writer and reviewer for the CARe In-School Curriculum Module.
Level of financial aid based on merit
Graduate students from the Department have annually been awarded scholarships through the Department and scholarships/assistantships through the
School of Graduate Studies. Graduate student scholarships include the Jennie Parker Scholarship, the Anne M. Lee Scholarship, and a scholarship funded by the Department's Scholarship Benefit event. This year,
Doughmakers, LLC., a local Terre Haute company, funded a scholarship which was awarded to graduate student in Foods and Nutrition. This scholarship will now be given by Doughmakers each year. Students have also won
competitive scholarships through district, state and national professional associations.
Student research and performances
The thesis option continues to be promoted by graduate faculty. In the past five years, eight students have successfully completed this option and
three more are in process. Students not choosing the thesis option are required to take a research class which includes actual data collection and/or analysis.
The CARe Grant has for six years supported one or two graduate assistantships stipends. Each year the graduate assistants have been involved in the
research aspect of the involved in the research aspect of the state wide initiative and have been instrumental in the delivery of 18 workshops to over 800 Indiana teachers.
Theses completed since the last review are listed below:
Ming Zhong, MS (graduated 1998). The Influence of Nutrition Labeling Information in Fast Food Restaurants on Customers' Food Selection
Dan Thomas, MS (graduated 1998) . Determination of the Acceptability of Muffins with Soy Protein
Heather Kelsheimer, MS (graduated 1998). Use of Kitchen Tools for Food Preparation Tasks by Elderly Women Living at Home
Susan Peacock, MS (graduated 1998). Influence of In-Store Nutrition Education on Nutrition Knowledge Scores and Food Buying Habits of
Shoppers
Michelle Plummer, MS (graduated 1999). The Relationship of Demographic Characteristics to Consumer Purchasing Decisions and Intake of
Natural Calcium Sources, Foods Fortified with Calcium and Calcium Supplements
Carol Werhan, MS (graduated 2000). Influence of Computer Training on Professional and Classroom Use of Computers by Indiana Family and
Consumer Sciences Teachers
Jeff Novick, MS (Graduated 2001). The Effects of a Nutrition Education Program on the Related Knowledge and Professional Behaviors of Family
Practice Residents
Buthaina AI-Athar (Graduated 2001). Comparison of Carbohydrate Counting and Exchange Lists as Meal Planning Tools for Patients with Diabetes
Seven of the above students plus three non-thesis students, have presented their work at ISU Student Research Showcases and four have won top awards
for their categories. State or national presentations have been made based on thesis projects and on smaller research projects developed and conducted through classes. Below are examples of these presentations.
Graduate student names are bold type.
American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
(2000) The Relationship of Demographic Characteristics to Consumer Purchasing Decisions and Intake of Natural Calcium Sources, Food Fortified with Calcium,
and Calcium Supplements.
Michelle Plummer and Sarah T. Hawkins: Chicago
(2000) Influence of Computer Training on Professional and Classroom Use of Computers by Indiana Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers.
Carol Werhan: Chicago
(1999) CARe In-School Component-Making a Difference in Knowledge and Attitudes About Rape and Sexual Assault Among Jr. High, Middle School and High
School Students in Indiana.
Carol Werhan and Frederica L. Kramer: Chicago
(1998) The Influence of Nutrition Labeling Information in Fast Food Restaurants on Customers' Food Selection.
Ming Zhong and S.T. Hawkins: Atlanta
(1998) Use of Kitchen Tools for Food Preparation Tasks by Elderly Women Living at Home.
Heather Kelsheimer and S. T .Hawkins: Atlanta
American Dietetic Association
(2001) Comparison of Carbohydrate Counting and Exchange Lists as Meal Planning Tools for Patients with Diabetes
B. AI-Athar, S. T .Hawkins and H. Kelsheimer : St. Louis.
National Association of Career and Technical Education
"Creating Futures" Round Table Presentations
(1999) Grand Carousel --"CARe Communities Against Rape, In-School Component"
Carol Werhan and Frederica L. Kramer: New Orleans
Original Research Contributions (Oral)
American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
(1997) Portion Sizes of Grain-Based Foods Chosen by Female College Students.
Rita Bridges and S.T. Hawkins: New Orleans
American Dietetic Association
(2001) Influence of a Nutrition Education Program on the Related Knowledge and Behaviors of Family Practice Residents
Jeffrey Novick, S. T .Hawkins and Kathleen Steinstra: St. Louis
Abstracts of all of these presentations were published in refereed publications. Most of the poster presentations were repeated at state meetings.
One student also co-authored the following paper from her research which was published in journal of the American Dietetic Association:
Older adult women find food preparation easier with specialized kitchen tools. J of Am. Dietet. Assoc. 100 (8): 950-952, 2000.
Kelsheimer, H. and S.T. Hawkins.
Graduate students from the summer Grantsmanship classes (FCS 692D) have had projects totaling over $25,000 funded for their schools and agencies.
All graduate classes require library and internet research. Students in Community Nutrition (FCS 622) select a research project and write a grant proposal. Students in Food Science (FCS 528) write a project proposal,
conduct the laboratory project, and report the results in both oral and written formats as part of the class assignments. Students in the Chemistry of Foods and Nutrition (FCS 692D) class developed a research project
for their advanced High School students to be included in the curriculum for their particular school.
