UW-Stevens Point Celebrates 120 years of Home Economics

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Alumni and current students made seasonal tote bags in Jan Oswald’s Cricut workshop

A celebration of 120 years of home economics education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point included two days of events to mark the university’s family and consumer sciences and interior architecture programs. [View Photos]

“TADA! A Celebration of UW-Stevens Point Textile Arts and Design Application” was held Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11-12, featuring tours of local textile and craft companies, presentations, workshops, a design showcase and fashion show. Instructors were UW-Stevens Point alumni, faculty and staff as well as local experts.

“Family and consumer sciences was founded as home economics and has a rich history at UW-Stevens Point,” said Associate Professor Susan Turgeson, coordinator of family and consumer science education. “We are proud to be one of the legacy programs at UWSP and to have not only survived but thrived throughout the decades. The program continues to prepare students to be leaders in the field across the country and is recognized for the quality of curriculum, hands-on experiences and leadership opportunities provided.”

A highlight on Saturday was the presentation of “Quilts of Valor” to three Vietnam veterans, including Chancellor Emeritus Bernie Patterson and alumni John Brandenburg and Paul Miller.

The following events were offered during the two-day event:

  • Tours of local companies, including Herrschners, Lands’ End, Antoinette’s Quilt Shop and Wisconsin Wool Exchange
  • “What You Need to Know to Prepare Students for a Career in Interior Architecture” – panel of interior architecture faculty
  • “Teaching Textiles in the Classroom” – Alyssa Simono
  • “Cricut Workshop” – Jan Oswald
  • Design showcase and fashion show
  • “Creating Patterns and Selling Your Knit Items” – Bethany Buenning and Tess Ligocki
  • “Felting and creating wool mittens” – Julie Woletz
  • “Paper Arts to Gift or Keep” – Cathy Lader
  • “Textile Teaching Strategies with FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America)” – Dee Dee Giovingo
  • “Quilts of Valor” presentation – Mary Fawcett and Sue Strutz
  • “Costuming and Quilting” – Terri Williams
  • “These are the ‘Gnome’ments” – Susan Turgeson