G.I.C.H. - University of Georgia

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Photo by Robert Newcomb F A C S H o N o R H A L L o F R e C o G N I T I o N Marian McCullers Trailblazer for Women in Management Marian Chesnut McCullers (BSHE ’46, Housing and Consumer Economics) has been a pioneer and a trailblazer for family and consumer sciences graduates in business since she began her career at Atlanta Gas Light Co. in 1946. “It was my roommate’s father who told me that when I graduated I was going to work for Atlanta Gas Light,” McCullers recalls. “I wasn’t sure if that was what I wanted to do so I interviewed at several other places, too.” Although she received other offers, McCullers ultimately chose AGL. Clearly McCullers and AGL were a good fit since she remained there for 41½ years, rising through the ranks until, ultimately, she was named vice president for consumer information and education in 1986. 12 F A C S . S P R I N G . 2 0 0 8 During her earliest years with AGL, McCullers and the other home economists in the Home Services Division spent much of their time traveling to customers’ homes demonstrating how to use AGL products. They also served as testers for new products, cooking all types of food on new ranges to determine if they deserved the AGL seal of approval. “Manufacturers used to say if a product passed AGL standards, it would pass standards anywhere,” she remembers. Throughout her career, McCullers searched for the most innovative ways to reach her audiences. She was among the first home economists to record one-minute educational messages that aired on radio and, likewise, she coordinated an educational TV show for 10 years that taught homemakers new cooking skills. As one of the first women to move into management at AGL, McCullers worked hard to open doors for others. “Every time a home economist left, I’d have convince management that we needed to keep the position,” she recalls. She also worked to create a career ladder for women in AGL. “During the 1960s when many women were pushing for opportunities, I advised the new home economists to concentrate on doing their job well and to come up with ideas to help the company because I was on the inside trying to create jobs for them.” McCullers’ efforts were successful and a number of women followed her into management positions at AGL. Despite her demanding career, McCullers has also stayed active with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences and the University of Georgia since her graduation, working closely with faculty and administrators to establish relationships with the business community and create a number of internships. Her support for FACS also led McCullers and her late husband, Wilton “Butch” McCullers, to establish a scholarship in 2005. “We want to reward those who are deserving of a college education, but may be inhibited because of limited financial resources,” she says of the endowment. McCullers has served as president of the Georgia Home Economics Association and chair of the Home Economists in Business. She also is active in her church, Clairmont Hills Baptist Church, the DeKalb County Historical Society, the High Museum of Art and the Atlanta Athletic Club. “Until you give something, you’re not a part of anything,” McCullers has said. “You have to give time, you have to give commitment, you have to give a contribution, and you have to give of your very being.”
Photos by Peter Frey 2008 FACS Alumni Award Winners More than 170 alumni and friends of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences attended the 31st Annual Alumni Awards luncheon held this spring at the Athens Country Club. In addition to the presentation of awards, a silent auction was held that raised nearly $4,000, which will be used for student scholarships and activities that benefit students. Distinguished Alumni Award Whether it was responding to a crisis in the Hispanic community or collaborating with the local hospital to take nutrition education programs into area classrooms, Judy Bland (BSHE ’74, Clothing and Textiles) has been the go-to person in Tift County since 1991. Prior to that, she served a similar role in Brooks County for 17 years. Among her many accolades have been the Walter B. Hill Award for Distinguished Achievement in Public Service and Outreach and the D.W. Brooks Award of Excellence, both awarded by the University of Georgia, and the Athena Award, awarded by the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce. “She is without a doubt one of the best, if not the best, FACS county Extension agents in the state,” according to Tony Roberts, director of the Southwest Extension District. Roberts points to Bland, who retired Feb. 1 with 33 years of service, as being instrumental in developing teamwork among all of the Southwest District agents. Bland’s accomplishments have been recognized at every level and she is frequently asked to speak at the local, state and national levels, but it’s those she works with daily, like 4-H Development Coordinator Laura Perry Johnson, who speak most eloquently of her contributions: “Judy Bland’s resume and application speak for themselves,” Johnson says. “But what makes her truly special…is a genuinely caring spirit, an intense desire to help others, an incredible work ethic and (the) determination to get the job done. “Co-workers want to serve on committees with her, kids love her, administrators value her opinion and the lives of the families she serves are enriched from the association.” Outstanding Service Award “Servant leader” is how several of Dot Williams’ friends describe her. “Grace in action” is another. Whether she’s running “Only Georgia,” the business she founded with daughters Julie and Dawn, publishing HomeSearch magazine or volunteering with one of the many organizations she supports, Williams (BSHE ’65, Family Development) says, “The work ethic I use today…was founded on the caring atmosphere I received as a student.” For nearly two decades, Williams has donated a significant amount of time to her sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi. Among her accomplishments has been the development of “Strike Out Arthritis” as the identity used by college and alumnae chapters raising money for arthritis research. In 2005, Alpha Omicron Pi recognized Williams’ contributions by awarding her the Hunt Philanthropic Award. In her hometown of Macon, Williams has helped raise $75,000 in grants for the restoration and preservation of the historic Neel Reid Federation Headquarters as a part of her involvement with the Federated Garden Clubs of Macon. On a state level, she serves on both the Executive Board of Directors of The Garden Club of Georgia and on the Trustees Board of Directors. As the house and operations chair for the trustees, she oversees the operation of the headquarters house, located at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens. Her love for gardening also applies to her own yard, which was named Macon’s “Yard of the Year” in 2007. She also plants and maintains the gardens at the historic Sidney Lanier Cottage. F A C S . S P R I N G . 2 0 0 8 13
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Page 5 and 6: GAFCS Developing Centennial Exhibit
Page 7 and 8: FACS faculty members Karen Tinsley
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Page 31 and 32: D e V e L o P m e n t Katrina L. Bo

G.I.C.H. - University of Georgia

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