Baylor Professor Honored with Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
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by Jessie Jilovec, student newswriter, Baylor University Media and Public Relations
WACO, Texas (Feb. 1, 2019) – Years after becoming interested in the field during a food preparation class, Janelle Walter, Ph.D., professor of family and consumer sciences and nutrition sciences program coordinator in Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, was awarded with the Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.
The award is the highest honor AAFCS bestows for achievement, contribution and leadership. Walter is among four 2019 recipients.
“I am sure I was led to this profession, and I think I have become a servant to our discipline,” Walter said. “I know a chain is no stronger than each individual link. I hope I have been a strong link in continuing our discipline.”
Walter said she has benefitted in various ways by being a part of AAFCS. She said being active locally and nationally has allowed her to network and work with leaders at other universities in Texas.
At the state level for AAFCS, Walter has served as treasurer, vice president of professional development, vice president of membership and president. She also served as research chair, meeting chair and nutrition professional chair. Nationally, Walter has been chair of the foods and nutrition professional group, chair of the food and nutrition community, a speaker for annual meetings and a member of the finance committee.
Walter was selected as the state leader for Texas in 1998 and 2000, a national leader in 2000 and professional of the year in Texas in 2017 by AAFCS.
Jay Yoo, Ph.D., associate professor of family and consumer sciences and apparel merchandising, said Walter is an enthusiastic and resourceful mentor.
“She shows a tremendous ability to display leadership,” Yoo said. “Therefore, she is greatly respected through her collaborative endeavors and education.”
Teaching at a Christian university has had a tremendous impact on reflections toward Walter’s discipline. She said teaching how to strengthen individuals and families is a way to glorify God.
“Over all the years, students each interpret the content slightly differently,” Water said. “Being able to help each student to integrate nutrition information into meal planning, food selection and disease prevention is a delight and a challenge.”
The American Home Economics Association established the Distinguished Service Award in 1979. It serves as a tribute to members to honor superior achievements in family and consumer sciences, the profession and in continued association leadership.
In 1979, Walter began teaching at Baylor in the department of home economics. She said she has always felt like an advocate for her department to the rest of campus.
“Being at Baylor has allowed me to have a position in a department that honors participation in this organization,” Walter said.
After she completed her bachelor’s degree, Walter joined the organization. Excluding a few years off for graduate school, she has been a member of AAFCS since 1969.
Walter and the other Distinguished Service Award recipients will be honored at the 110th Annual Conference & Expo in June 2019 in St. Louis.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.
ABOUT ROBBINS COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
The Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences at Baylor University was established in 2014, a result of identified priorities for strengthening the health sciences through Baylor’s strategic vision, Pro Futuris, and the University’s Illuminate academic strategic plan. The anchor academic units that form Robbins College – Communication Sciences and Disorders; Family and Consumer Sciences; Health, Human Performance and Recreation; Public Health; and Division of Health Professions – share a common purpose: improving health and the quality of life. The College’s curricula promotes a team-based approach to transformational education and research that has established interdisciplinary research collaborations to advance solutions for improving quality of life for individuals, families and communities. For more information, visit www.baylor.edu/chhs.