University News
Greathouse Named Dietetics, Fashion Merchandising, Hospitality Dept. Chair
May 24, 2011
MACOMB, IL -- Karen Greathouse will continue in her post as the head of the Western Illinois University Department of Dietetics, Fashion Merchandising and Hospitality. According to College of Education and Human Services Dean Nick DiGrino, Greathouse will become the permanent chair of the DFMH department July 1, after serving as interim chair of the department since July 2009.
Greathouse -- who started at Western in 1989 as an assistant professor and was promoted to professor in 2004 -- received a teacher of the year award in 1994 from the College and was named the Illinois Dietetics Association Outstanding Educator of the Year in 2000.
"My appreciation goes out to the DFMH chair search committee, chaired by Sheryl Boston [associate professor, DFMH], as the members did a fine job," DiGrino said. "I am grateful to Dr. Greathouse for her outstanding service as interim chair, and I extend best wishes to her as she embarks on this new leadership opportunity."
Greathouse has been an active member of the Commission on Accreditation of Dietetic Education Programs; she served as chairperson of that organization in 2003. In addition, Greathouse is an Illinois delegate for the American Dietetic Association House of Delegates, where she is professionally active as a scholar and nutrition-education advocate. Her grant-writing activity includes co-authorship of the locally administered Bella Hearst Diabetes Institute project.
Her latest publications include an article accepted for publication (2010) in the Journal of Nutrition and Behavior, as well as a 2009 article in the Journal of Foodservice Management and Education. She presents regularly at various dietetics conferences and events, including at the Mississippi Valley Dietetic Association, the Eastern Illinois Dietetic Association and the International Congress of Dietetics.
Prior to joining Western's faculty, Greathouse maintained a private practice as a registered dietitian while serving as an instructor at Dickinson State University in North Dakota. Her professional experience includes private contract work as a nutrition educator for the State of Colorado and hospital administration in Kansas City (MO).
Greathouse received her bachelor's and master's degrees in food and nutrition from Southern Illinois University, and she earned her doctorate in institutional management from Kansas State University.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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