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Mary Fuqua, professor
emeritus of the Department of Foods and Nutrition and associate
dean emeritus of the College of Consumer and Family Sciences,
was an outstanding teacher and administrator at Purdue who
has also had a powerful impact on the community in her retirement.
Dr. Fuqua received
her B.S. in Dietetics from the University of Tennessee and
her Masters and Ph.D. from Ohio State. She came to Purdue
in 1963 as Department Head of Foods and Nutrition, but chose
to devote her time to the classroom in 1966. In 1973
she became Associate Dean of Home Economics Extension, moving
to Associate Dean of Consumer and Family Sciences until
her retirement in December 1987. An Extension Educator
commented on her tenure as Associate Dean of Extension,
“Under your leadership, dedication and expertise,
the overall Home Economics Extension Program in Indiana
has reached new heights in its effectiveness.”
During her tenure
at Purdue Dr. Fuqua established a reputation as an unusually
fine teacher, winning many teaching awards, including the
AMOCO Undergraduate Teaching Award, Outstanding Teacher
in the School of Home Economics (4 years), and Outstanding
Lecturer on the Purdue Campus (1 of 12 chosen in a campus-wide
vote by undergraduate students and given by the University
Student Council). She co-authored a textbook,
Principles of Nutrition, which was extensively
used for college nutrition classes.
Retirement was
another word for a new career! She has served on the
boards of Area IV Agency on Aging and Community Services,
Lafayette YWCA, Lafayette YWCA Foundation, Lafayette Leadership
and the Lafayette Adult Resources Academy Advisory.
She co-founded the successful Wabash Area Lifetime Learning
Association, served on the Purdue President’s Advisory
Council on Retirement and Greater Lafayette Salute to Women
Committee. Her efforts have been recognized with 10
community awards, including Sagamore of the Wabash, Journal
and Courier George Award, Greater Lafayette Volunteer Bureau
Marcile Eddy Award, and Area IV Agency on Aging Felise Bray
Leadership Award. A community leader describes her,
“A visionary leader, Mary surrounds herself with outstanding
volunteers. Her leadership becomes their driving force;
her initiate: their impetus; her dedication and tenacity:
their inspiration.”
In 2004, the Graduate
Scholarship in Nutrition was endowed by an anonymous donor
in honor of Mary Fuqua. It celebrates her outstanding
career and her amazing legacy of volunteer leadership
in retirement.
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