F1RST IMPRESSIONS

Christine Ladisch

We received hundreds of responses to our 2013 Life 360 readership survey. Thank you! Overall, respondents were highly satisfied with the writing and design of our magazine, with almost 40 percent indicating they liked the publication as is. But some of you did offer suggestions for improvement. So, starting with this issue we've incorporated some of your suggestions, including "more stories about students."

Did you know that all 30+ HHS majors offer students an opportunity for hands-on learning, such as an internship, clinical experience or a co-op? And 30 percent of our majors require it. "Practice Makes Perfect" explores the experiential learning of six HHS students and the variety of hands-on learning available in the college. "A Universal Language" shows just how much impact a short-term service-learning program can have — on both students and those they serve. And "The Mighty Quin" introduces you to Purdue student trustee Kelsey Quin. With her multidiscipline approach to learning, extracurricular leadership roles, and a desire to improve the health and wellness of people, Kelsey embodies what it means to be an HHS student.

Our feature story on ostracism spotlights Kip Williams, a professor of psychological sciences who has studied ostracism for 20 years and is featured in the documentary film "Reject." In addition, Professor Williams and the film's director/producer have partnered with HHS Extension to develop a program to address ostracism and other negative behaviors that hurt and exclude others.

The college's vision is to address a broad array of important public health issues, not just locally but nationally and globally as well. In July, we welcomed Rick Mattes, Distinguished Professor of Nutrition Science, as the first HHS director of public health. In this new role, he will lead the development of a college-wide interdisciplinary public health program. Professor Mattes is director of the Ingestive Behavior Research Center and his latest research project, in collaboration with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, is highlighted in "Is Fat the 6th Taste?".

Helping to support this vision is the new Lyles-Porter Hall, designed to promote strong interdisciplinary partnerships that enhance student training and promote new research collaborations. Located in Purdue's new Life and Health Sciences Park, the building houses the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences; the IU School of Medicine-Lafayette; the A. H. Ismail Center for Health, Exercise and Nutrition; and clinics for psychology, nursing, nutrition science, audiology and speech-language. We'll be showing off this spectacular facility during an open house on Nov. 8 before the Purdue-Wisconsin game — I hope to see you there!

Hail Purdue!

Signature

Christine Ladisch
Dean

Find Us on Facebook