Spring is a time for new beginnings. The smell of newly grown flowers will soon fill the air and the vacant branches on trees will be covered with fresh leaves.
Jayne Ozier, a Charleston resident and Eastern faculty member, received the Eastern Illinois University Women of Achievement award Sunday.
Ozier, a family and consumer sciences professor, was one of two recipients of the award honoring contributions to Charleston as a university community.
An Eastern graduate, Ozier received her undergraduate and master’s degrees in family and consumer sciences and received her doctorate from Florida State University.
She returned to Eastern as a family and consumer sciences professor, where she dedicated special interest in children and has received the outstanding alumnus award.
“I love teaching both undergraduate and graduate students, and I’ve been actively involved in the school and community,” Ozier said.
She has taught at Eastern for 33 years, specializing in child development.
She was the coordinator of the child development program for over 25 years. Ozier also directed the Childcare Resource and Referral grant program.
“It is a grant program that helps parents find and pay for child care,” she said.
Ozier received the graduate school award of excellence for her involvement with the grant program.
In the 1980s, Ozier was a chairwoman of the women’s studies program.
“I have been involved in a lot of committees at the school,” she said.
She served twice on the Faculty Senate, where she was the first chairwoman.
Ozier served as the chapter president for the University Professionals of Illinois. With this involvement, she negotiated on a team representing five state universities.
Ozier also was president of the Illinois Council in Family Relations and the Council of University Planning and Budget. She served as a member of CUPB three different times and is currently part of the council.
She also served on the University Personnel Committee and Council of Graduate Studies.
The Daily Eastern News named Ozier Person of the Year for the 1991-1992 school year.
Other awards Ozier received include the Rotary International Presidential Recognition Award for excellence with families and an advisor award for excellence.
Charleston resident Deborah Shrum, former director of HOPE of East Central Illinois, also received the award for her contributions to the community.
