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Human Ecology Alumni Society

Mission Statement

It shall be the purpose of the Alumni Society to promote the advancement of the College of Human Ecology at The Ohio State University. The Society shall facilitate communication, foster loyalty, promote fellowship, and encourage philanthropy among and between members, alumni, faculty and staff, students, and friends of the College.

Society History

In 1946, the School of Home Economics celebrated 50 years of Home Economics at The Ohio State University. Enrollment in the School numbered 650 with over 3,000 alumni. Dr. Gladys Branegan directed the organization of a few alumni to form the Home Economics Alumni Association. The first meeting was held at the time of the June commencement that year. The Society has been part of The Ohio State University since 1948 when its charter was granted.

In 1952, the Association began a tradition of recognizing and honoring alumni of the School of Home Economics. These alumni were given Certificates of Achievement at the Fall Conference. Requirements for an award include having received the degree in Home Economics at Ohio State, being an alumnus for 20 years or more, and not being on the faculty/staff of the university.

One principal activity that achieved a fundamental purpose of the Association's objectives was the sponsorship of an annual meeting known as the Conference for Home Economics. This annual meeting, held in the fall of the year, fulfilled an important role of continuing education for graduates and interested guests.

The Association established and sponsors scholarship funds and has cooperated in raising funds for various projects. In 1961, the Advancement Fund was begun for the purpose of supporting the improvement, promotion, and enrichment of The Ohio State University Home Economics Department through projects not otherwise financed, and providing the director of the School with funds for small emergencies and special projects.

In 1983, the long-time goal of transferring the School to a College was realized. The Association would now be known as the College of Home Economics Alumni Association. After the College name was changed in 1989, the Association was renamed the College of Human Ecology Alumni Association. In 1990, in order to distinguish this Association from The Ohio State University Alumni Association, the name was again changed this time to the College of Human Ecology Alumni Society.

Alumni working individually and together have furthered the Human Ecology mission to contribute to the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. They have made a difference and will continue to do so well into the future of the Society.

The College and the Society Today

Today, the College of Human Ecology at Ohio State ranks as the largest academic program of its kind in the U.S. More than 2,300 undergraduate majors are enrolled each quarter, and another 2,000+ non-majors take courses annually in the College. Courses are offered in three departments, as well as in the new Interdisciplinary Family and Consumer Sciences Education Program. The departments are:

Under the leadership of Dean David Andrews, faculty, staff, and students of the College focus their expertise on finding innovative, research-based solutions to complex societal problems encountered by families and consumers in our changing world. After students graduate, they take their places in the workplace, where they continue to fulfill the College's mission of improving life for families and consumers. Thus, you, as an alumna or alumnus, expand the impact of the College beyond the campus, multiplying its effect with your enthusiasm.

In recent years, alumni have achieved increasing recognition for these enthusiastic contributions to the university's mission of research, teaching, and outreach. One tangible result has been the number of Human Ecology students and alumni receiving university-wide awards for their contributions. Just a few examples include:

In this context, the Human Ecology Alumni Society provides an exciting rallying point for alumni. Through events, projects, and activities, you may come together to support College projects, applaud your peers' achievements, and turn your pride in your alma mater into tangible action on its behalf. In the past, alumni have served as ambassadors for the College, recruited outstanding students, given advice, and provided financial support for students and College programs.

The Society stays in touch with its 16,000+ alumni with good mailing addresses through publications and the website at http://ehe.osu.edu. In both places, you can find such news as the recipients of the spring alumni awards, and forthcoming events, such as the annual Fall Rally and the annual Lena C. Bailey Lecture on Leadership. Our goal is to foster opportunities for you to show how firm alumni friendships are for the College of Human Ecology.

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