AHEA keeps the Home Economics students busy Harding University's Home Economics Department and the programs within that department are important and very beneficial aspects of Harding which were often overlooked. One of the many organizations that enriched and enlightened those involved in the Home Economics Department was the student member section of the American Home Economics Association (AHEA). This organization consisted of individuals who were enrolled in the Home Economics program, and who , of course , paid their membership dues. According to Beth Wilson, chairman of the Home Economics department, Harding has always had some sort of home economics club on campus, even before the AHEA accepted tudent members. However, when the AHEA decided to open up its membership to college students, Harding's Home Economics club decided to join. One of the unique aspects of the AHEA was that it was one of the few professional organizations that valued and had a lot of student input. Wilson said, "At all three levels of the organization - the local , state , and national - there are student representatives , delegates , voters and officers , as well as students on the governing board. This is very productive because it helps the students develop leadership skills , it gives them good experi92 Organizations ence in working with a professional organization, and it also gives the AHEA some fresh student insights. " Harding University students also participated in the Arkansas AHEA State Convention in March in Little Rock. Wilson said, "Another unique aspect ofAHEA is that students had an active part in the convention by being totally responsible for one of the professional sessions. This also was a good opportunity to develop and enhance some of their leadership skills ." In addition to the State convention, the Harding student members met four times each semester. Although one time was a purely social gathering to allow the members to get to know each other, the other three times were professionally-oriented featuring speakers , field trips and videos. When asked about the possible benefits a student might receive by being a member of AHEA, Wilson said, "The organization exposes them to the diversity of career opportunities in the home economics field and helps the students meet people who will help them get jobs . In other words , the major benefit, in my opinion, is the career development networking that takes place at the conventions or other activities. " - David Jacobs Dodi Samue l cooks lunch. The diete ti cs student often prepared mea ls in their food labs. Christy Robe rts wo rks intentl y on a project. AHEA stude nts lea rned abo ut the types of ca reers in which the skill s they lea rned at Harding can be put to use. SHRM. 1st row (I to r): Tri sha Rideno ur.Jim McFa rl and , George H. Oliver (sponsor) , Emil y Snowden , Christy Ca te , Anne tte Prior.
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