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Erskine Smith, dean of the Western Illinois University College of Education and Human Services
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Erskine Smith Retirement Reception Set for May 10

April 30, 2018

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MACOMB, IL - - A retirement reception honoring Erskine Smith, dean of the Western Illinois University College of Education and Human Services (COEHS), will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, May 10 in Knoblauch Hall, room 239.

Light hors d'oeuvres and cake will be served.

Smith has served as the COEHS dean since January 2015, after being named interim dean in May 2014. He had previously served as the COEHS associate dean from 2010-2014, after serving as the interim associate dean for one year.

He joined Western's faculty in July 2004 as the chair of the dietetics, fashion merchandising and hospitality (DFMH) department. Before coming to WIU, he became the first African American chair of an academic department at the University of Mississippi when he served as chair and associate professor of family and consumer sciences. Smith served as the director of the School of Home Economics at Southern Mississippi and as an administrative intern in the Office of the Chancellor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Previously, Smith has also worked as a clinical dietitian in the private sector and was a clinical instructor and faculty member at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Smith has served on the national boards of directors for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) and the American School Food Service Association. He served as chair of the Commission on Dietetic Registration, and he was recognized by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2003 with its Medallion Award for lifetime contributions to the profession of dietetics through his service and leadership. Smith also served as the president of the Council of Administrators for Family and Consumer Sciences.

Smith received his bachelor's degree in food science and dietetics from Middle Tennessee State University and his master's (food systems administration) and doctoral (home economics-food science) degrees from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He also holds a certificate from The Miami Valley Hospital Dietetic Internship Program.

Posted By: Alisha Looney (AA-Looney@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing