AMES, Iowa -- Three Iowa State University researchers will be honored by Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 19, at the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust St., Des Moines.
Susan Hegland and Carla Peterson, both associate professors of human development and family studies, and Lesia Oesterreich, family life extension specialist, all in Iowa State's College of Family and Consumer Sciences, will be among more than 40 Iowans to be recognized as part of the state's "Above and Beyond" recognition program.
The program is a yearlong series of ceremonies created by the governor's office to recognize individuals and groups making significant contributions to the well being of Iowa's children. Recipients are nominated by their peers. This ceremony recognizes service in early childhood care, health and education.
The three Iowa State researchers have been gathering information on the quality of care provided to Iowa children and have been working with citizens to create guidelines that would help parents determine the quality of care and education their children receive.
They also have worked with state officials and the legislature on Governor Vilsack's initiative this year focusing on early childhood education and care.