Timeline

First petition for women's admission to UGA

First petition for women to be admitted to the University by the Daughters of the American Revolution

Extension division of the College of Ag formed

Smith-Lever Act

Smith-Lever Act established cooperative extension to extend knowledge from land-grant universities to the public

Food shortages in WWI

Home demonstrations began. Thousands of women taught food preparation and conservation, studied local problems.

Degree program for women

The University of Georgia College of Agriculture, with the strong support of college President Andrew Soule, approves a bachelor's degree for women in the newly-created Division of Home Economics.

Mary Creswell named director

Mary Creswell named director of the new division and assistant director of women's work in Cooperative Extension. In addition to being the first woman to receive an undergraduate degree from UGA, Creswell would go on to serve as dean of what was then known as the school of home economics from 1933-45. Her salary is $2,500

First Students

Twelve female students enroll in classes in the division of home economics in September. Courses offered in the 1918-19 school year are foods and cookery; textiles and clothing; home administration; education; and winter short courses.

Soule Hall

Construction begins on a "women's building" in 1918 that later was named Soule Hall in honor of the College of Agriculture president. The original Soule Hall had a swimming pool on the ground floor and foods and nutrition teaching and research labs.

Early growth

By the division's third year, 61 students had enrolled in the winter courses and summer school. A master of science in home economics was launched in 1923. By 1928, 143 students were enrolled.

Nutrition research started

Nutrition Research projects included:

• Vitamins A and B recommendations
• Dietary Habits of Georgians
• Vitamin and mineral content of Georgia foods

Master's program

Graduate courses in the master's of sciences Home Economics for the "MSHE," were established with a major in Foods and Nutrition. The cost of college in 1924 was $373 which included tuition ($83), and room, board, books, lab fee and personal laundry.

First nursery school

The first nursery school for children, ages 2-5, is established with funds from the Rockefeller Foundation, providing students the opportunity to observe and study pre-school children.

Ground-breaking electrical home research

The Georgia Power Company provided funds for a laboratory to study electrical home equipment. By 1929 the Home equipment laboratory had moved to large rooms on second floor of Barrow Hall. Visitors from 24 states came to observe the modern equipment donated by manufacturers and utility companies.

Child development programs

Courses in Family Life and Child Development included:

• Development of the Young
• Child Care and Training Behavior
• Problems in Children
• Economic Problems of the Family

Dawson Hall

In the midst of the Great Depression and economic reforms, a new three-story brick building is constructed for the School of Home Economics. The building is named Dawson Hall in honor of William Terrell Dawson.

Home management houses

The first home management house is built with funds provided by the Works Progress Administration to give students hands-on research and study opportunities. A second home management house is built in 1934, and two more are added in 1940 along with a Child Development Lab. The home management residence requirement was discontinued in 1986 so that emphasis in household management courses could be placed on concepts instead of performance and repetitive tasks.

College mergers

The Division of Home Economics and the Department of Home Economics at the Georgia State Teachers' College were merged into the University of Georgia School of Home Economics.

Home Economics Extension

Home Economics Extension programs are widespread throughout the state, including 72 white and 19 African-American home demonstration agents.

Enrollment growth

Despite the harsh economic realities, enrollment in the School of Home Economics is now at 299 students in 1933. By 1940, the number grows to 430 students.

Faculty leadership

Two faculty members, Edith V. Creswell and Matilda Callaway, leave their positions to lead home economics departments at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton and Valdosta State College, respectively.

Works Progress Administration

The School felt it could no longer support the nursery school due to the economic depression. Fortunately, funds for the nursery school program were made available through the federal government's Works Progress Administration, known as the WPA program.

Nursery School director

Margaret McPhaul is named director of the Nursery School.

Nursing shortage

Due to a shortage of nurses, a foods and nutrition course was revised to including information on home nursing, mirroring courses offered by the Red Cross

World War II begins

WWII begins and Navy pre-flight school takes over most of South campus, including a majority of Dawson Hall. As part of this restructuring, the clothing and textiles department is moved temporarily to the forestry and fine arts buildings.

Managing shortages

During World War II, there is an emphasis on remodeling and repairing clothing and managing family budgets in response to war time defense, along with growing Victory Gardens and home food preservation. A course "Home Care of the Sick" is offered for the duration of the war due to shortage of nurses. Our students receive certificates in "Home Nursing" in cooperation with the American Red Cross.

25th anniversary

The School of Home Economics celebrates 25 years of existence, delayed one year due to war time emergencies. As part of this silver anniversary, the school establishes the Historic Costume Collection to document Georgia's history through preservation of historic clothing and textiles.

Historic Clothing and Textiles Collection

As part of the 25th anniversary of the school, the Historic Clothing and Textiles Collection is formed and housed on the third floor of Dawson. Today, the collection is being moved to higher quality storage space in the UGA Special Collections Library. This move will also provide access to the collection by a broader range of students, scholars, and the general public.

Mary Creswell honored

On June 5, 1944, Mary Creswell is honored at a silver anniversary dinner for the admission of women to the university. She is presented with a portrait of herself by Wilford O. Conrow

Returning veterans

School announces preliminary plan for the education of returning service men and women, which includes a one-year course of study for those interested in pursuing employment in restaurants, tea rooms, school lunch rooms or dress making.

Mary Creswell retires

Mary Creswell retires as dean. She continues as professor until 1949.

Enrollment down

Enrollment goes from 424 students in 1941 to 276 students by the end of the war in 1945.

Pauline Wilson becomes dean

Pauline Park Wilson is named dean of the School of Home Economics after Creswell retires from administrative duties. Instructional faculty in the school consists of 21 members.

Family Development established

The Family Development department is established. Courses in experimental foods reflect the trend toward prepared foods and the availability of modern kitchen appliances.

Establishment of infant lab

The infant laboratory is established as part of the UGA Nursery School. Family and Child Development major added

Extension agents

Board of Regents grants extension agents faculty status

Majors increased

The school's majors offerings increases from six to nine: clothing and textiles, dietetics and institution management, experimental foods, family development, home demonstration, home economics education, housing and management, nutrition, and general home economics.

Creswell Research Fund

The Creswell Research Fund is established in honor of Mary Creswell and provides faculty grants, graduate research funding and funding for equipment used in research by the school.

Dean Maude Pye Hood

Maude Pye Hood is named dean

Mary Speirs becomes dean

Mary Speirs is named dean and would serve in this role for 17 years, overseeing the expansion of Dawson Hall as well as numerous research programs.

Enrollment down

Enrollment in the school is at 219 students in 1954, down from a high of 424 in 1941.

Home Furnishing & Design

The area of home furnishings and housing develops a joint program with the Art Department in the College of Arts and Sciences.

New textiles science labs

Seven new science buildings on the south campus bring faculty in several disciplines to the doorstep of home economics. New textiles science research labs are established in the Physics building.

First African-American students

The University of Georgia admits its first African-American students. Among the first African-American students to graduate from the School of Home Economics are Cathy Dunaway, child development/mental retardation; Marian Turnipseed, clothing and textiles; and Bridget Weaver, dietetics.

IHDD established

The Institute on Human Development and Disability is established to create opportunities for people with disabilities. IHDD is assigned to the College of Family and Consumer Sciences from the College of Education in 1989. Zo Stoneman is named director.

First male graduate

Peter Stegmayer becomes one of the first male graduates of the School of Home Economics, majoring in dietetics and institution management.

Extension programs expanded

Home economics Extension programs expand to meet the growing needs of families in metropolitan areas of Georgia.

Child Development Lab expansion

Funds are designated for the expansion of the Child Development Lab ($442,000), and an addition on Dawson Hall ($1,293,000) is completed.

Spiers Hall

The Dawson Hall Annex is completed and named Spiers Hall.

Child and Family Development Center

The new Child and Family Development Center is completed and includes laboratories for the study of infants, toddlers, pre-school children and kindergartners.

Head Start

Elizabeth Sheerer and Margaret McPhaul are consultants to the U.S. Office of Education – Manpower Commission, to develop plans and initiate the "Head Start Project" in America.

Study Abroad

The first foreign study and U.S. study tours are established.

New doctoral programs

Doctoral programs in Foods and Nutrition and Child and Family Development are developed.

McPhaul buildings

The Child Development Lab is renamed to honor Margaret McPhaul. With these two building additions, the School of Home Economics' facilities doubles in size.

Alumni Association

4,600 alumni receive information announcing the formation of the school's Alumni Association. Alumni awards are established as well as funding for the Student Emergency Loan Fund.

First Ph.D.

Lynda Henley Walters is awarded the college's first Ph.D. in child and family development. She later is hired as a faculty member and became the first associate dean for instruction and research.

The School of Home Economics becomes the College of Home Economics.

Highlights publication

The college's first publication, Highlights, is mailed to alumni twice a year. Today around 20,000 alumni receive FACS Magazine by mail.

FACS Ambassadors

The Dean's Aide program, now known as FACS Ambassadors, is established with six students in support of the office of the dean. Today, approximately 24 men and women serve as Ambassadors.

Enrollment increases

Enrollment steadily grows, peaking at 785 undergraduates in 1978-79 and 83 graduate students in 1981. Undergraduate enrollment increases to 846 students in 1988.

Accreditation

The college completes the process to receive accreditation of the undergraduate degree program from the American Home Economics Association. Today, programs in the college are accredited by six organizations.

Alumni Awards

The College of Home Economics Alumni Association establishes an awards program with five categories: Appreciation of Home Economics, the Creswell Award, the Distinguished Alumni Award, the Pacesetter Award, and the Honor Hall of Recognition. Ten honorees are inducted into the Honor Hall between 1980-89.

First computer lab

The first computer lab is established in Dawson Hall with a total of eight computers.

"Pou's Pillars"

Pou's Pillars, named in honor of Dean Emily Quinn Pou, are built at the new, west-facing main entrance to Dawson Hall.

Groundbreaking inclusive programs

Students with developmental delays are mainstreamed into the typically developing laboratory programs at the McPhaul Child Development Center, making it one of the state's first inclusive programs.

Legislative Aide program

The Legislative Aide program is established by Dean Emily Quinn Pou, Anne Sweaney and Jesse Mize.

FACS history published

"The History of Home Economics at the University of Georgia," edited by Jesse Mize, is published.

FACS name change

After much debate, the name of the college is changed to the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, effective July 1, to better reflect the field of study.

Marriage and Family Therapy program

The Marriage and Family Therapy post-graduate program is established.

Dean Pou retires

Dean Emily Quinn Pou retires after serving for 20 years. Sharon Nickols is named dean later that year.

Convocation

College holds its first convocation ceremony.

Development Director

The college creates its first Director of Development position. FACS graduate Katrina Bowers holds the position from 1996-2011.

Bill Flatt joins FACS

Bill Flatt steps down as dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and joins the faculty of the FACS department of Foods and Nutrition. He goes on to establish three endowed scholarships, faculty and staff awards, and two endowed professorships.

FACS launches its first website

Better Brains for Babies

Better Brains for Babies, a collaboration of state and local organizations dedicated to promoting awareness and education about healthy brain development in infants, is established and led by FACS Extension faculty.

Enrollment growth

Male enrollment in the college reaches 27 percent. Overall enrollment hits 1,706 students.

Georgia Initiative for Community Housing

The Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) is launched to help communities improve the quality of life and economic vitality through the development of locally-based housing and revitalization strategies.

Family Financial Planning program

The Family Financial Planning program is established.

ASPIRE Clinic

The McPhaul Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic is renamed the ASPIRE Clinic, which stands for Acquiring Strategies for Personal Improvement and Relationship Enhancement. The clinic uses interdisciplinary research, teaching and service to help participants lead fulfilling and healthy lives.

Linda Kirk Fox

Linda Kirk Fox is named the seventh dean of the college.

Diversity Plan

FACS begins developing "Diversity and Inclusion – A FACS Plan for Action." Implementation begins in 2015.

Obesity Initiative

UGA establishes the Obesity Initiative, led by Cliff Baile, to develop obesity prevention and treatment programs. Leann Birch is named the new director in 2017.

Online courses

Eight online courses are developed.

Extension centennial

Cooperative Extension across the country celebrates 100 years of the Smith-Lever Act.

FACS Week

The inaugural FACS Week is held to celebrate FACS and the future of families.

Destination Dawgs

Five students are admitted into the inaugural Destination Dawgs program, an inclusive, postsecondary program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Countdown to Centennial

The college hosts a homecoming tailgate in October in what serves as the countdown to the FACS centennial year in 2018.

FACS 100 Centennial Celebration

Dean Linda Kirk Fox Retires

Anisa Zvonkovic is named the eighth dean