Next year’s ISU theme has turned its focus from technology to the family, and faculty members from the College of Family and Consumer Sciences believe “Strengthening families to become the best” is an excellent opportunity to showcase their programs.

Yvonne Gentzler, associate professor and chairwoman of family and consumer sciences education and studies, said the theme is a reflection of the college’s purpose.

“It was our turn, so we got together and decided that if we were to have a theme, what theme would best represent the college’s emphasis or focus,” she said.

Gentzler said “strengthening families” encompasses the spirit of the college.

“The mission of the whole profession and the college is to improve the quality of living for families,” she said. “We believe then that ‘Strengthening Families’ was a positive way to say that.”

Mary Jo Glanville, communications specialist in family and consumer sciences, will be working on publicity for the events.

“We are sponsoring the first football game next year,” she said. “We will have special activities at the stadium.”

Glanville said there are also going to be a number of lectures throughout the year relating to the theme.

Iowa State will also be sponsoring the first day of the Iowa State Fair Aug. 10.

“The whole day we’ll have the different units from Iowa State on the grand concourse with special activities,” Glanville said. “President [Martin] Jischke is encouraging everybody to wear cardinal and gold.”

While FCS is the college behind the theme, Iowa State as a whole will be showing its commitment to families throughout the 2000-2001 school year.

Carol Meeks, dean of the College of FCS, said Iowa State offers programs across the state that help families in a variety of ways.

One such program is “Strengthening Families,” which strives to better communication between parents and middle-school students about substance abuse.

“If you are more in tune with your family and have better communication skills, fewer students will use drugs and alcohol,” Meeks said.

Currently, 10 communities benefit from the program, but the state of Iowa is increasing funds for more communities.

Another area where Iowa State helps Iowa families is child care. “We do lots of things with day-care centers and new parents,” Meeks said.

Meeks said it is good the whole university is trying to get involved with the theme.

“Many of the other colleges have decided to show how they work with families,” she said. “The whole university is getting involved.”