Two faculty members recognized

The NAFCS Leader of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Yvonne Moody. She received an engraved pewter tray to honor her 35-plus years of service to the organization. She has served in various capacities, including student officer, public relations representative, student advisor and scholarship chairman.

A $300 Continuing Education Grant was awarded to Dr. Norma Nealeigh, described as “a longtime member and humble servant” of NAFCS. She will use the grant to attend the 32nd annual Wellness Conference at Stevens Point, Wis., with the professional goal of enhancing scholarly and practical knowledge and materials to be used in courses addressing “lifespan wellness.”

Nealeigh has led the efforts at Chadron State to better focus on attributes of lifespan wellness in all the courses and degree options in the Family and Consumer Sciences program. The training she receives is expected to greatly enrich the CSC program as well as serve the state association with increased participation at the national level.

Dr. John DeFrain, co-founder of the National and International Building Family Strengths Symposium and renowned author in that field, was the keynote presenter at the state meeting, which had “Solutions for Thriving in Threatening Times” as its theme. Dr. Kathy Bosch of Mitchell presented her research findings on “The Well-Being of Nebraska Panhandle Families and Couples Coping With Drought.”

Also at the conference, The Friend of Family Award was presented to Tom and Nancy Osborne as co-founders of the TeamMates Mentoring Project. The award accepted by their daughter, Suzanne Osborne Hince, who is the executive director of the Lincoln-based organization. The NAFCS recognizes the considerable efforts made by the Osbornes and their organization to establish positive role models who lead to a successful future for Nebraska’s youth. It is anticipated that TeamMates will become the national standard for others to follow.