University of Wisconsin-Stout Professor Emeritus Carolyn Barnhart was honored with the Lorraine Missling Award for Distinguished Service in The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International at the 82nd Sigma State Convention, held in Madison. The award recognizes and honors a member who has demonstrated excellence in education and leadership in Delta Kappa Gamma.
“I am humbled and honored by this recognition,” said Barnhart, who is a member of the Alpha Tau Chapter. “I have always been impressed with the accomplishments of Dr. Lorraine Missling as an educator and for her leadership and service in Sigma State Wisconsin Delta Kappa Gamma. It is my hope to continue to reflect her leadership through service in my continuing membership and leadership in Delta Kappa Gamma.”
Delta Kappa Gamma is an international society for key women educators with more than 95,000 members. Established in 17 member countries around the world, the society defines its mission as promoting professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.
Barnhart, past chapter president of Delta Kappa Gamma, is also a member of the state organization Finance Committee and Foundation Board. She is also a member of the International Speaker’s Fund.
Cindy Quilling, A UW-Stout student teacher supervisor in the areas of family and consumer sciences and health and the current president of the Alpha Tau Chapter, said Barnhart is very deserving of the award. “You will not find anyone more passionate about their love for education than Carolyn, whether she is working with the young professionals at the university, mentoring veteran educators at workshops, or playing with her grandchildren who are always looking forward to coming to grandma’s house,” Quilling said. “The leadership she has provided at the local, state and national levels is renowned. Carolyn gives of herself for others continually.”
Pat Reisinger, who was the assistant chancellor of the Stout University Foundation and Alumni Services and a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma, nominated Barnhart for the Lorraine Missling Award. Reisinger also earned the award in 2016.
"Carolyn Barnhart is the epitome of one who lives and breathes education,” Reisinger said. “She is a dedicated teacher and mentor. She has held leadership positions in local, state, and national associations related to her field. She is a collaborator, an innovator, and an advocate for those individuals and organizations pursing educational successes related to their respective programs. Carolyn has been highly involved beyond the classroom in the community, and in professional organizations related to education."
Barnhart has served in the international and national roles as President of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and the Phi Upsilon Omicron Honor Society. She has also served as a Director on the National Child Nutrition Board and a member of the Stout Foundation Board.
On the state and regional level, she is a director on the Wisconsin Family, Career and Community Leaders Foundation Board and a member of the Food and FCS Professionals in the Twin Cities. She has served as president of the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts, a school board member and clerk for the School District of the Menomonie Area, and a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Menomonie.
Carolyn Barnhart earned her master and doctorate degrees in educational policy analysis and administration at the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in home economics education at UW-Stout.
She has served as a role model for women educators and has challenged many women to assume leadership roles in their schools and communities. She currently advises the Phi Upsilon Omicron Honor Society Tau Chapter at UW-Stout. She also assists in coordination of a Leadership Academy for the American Association Family and Consumer Sciences. Prior to her retirement in 2011, she served as the Department Chair of the Food and Nutrition Department at the UW-Stout and taught at the campus for 36 years.
Missling was a leader in business communications and Future Business Leaders Association. She enjoyed writing and assisting with books encouraging many young authors and teachers. In addition to Delta Kappa Gamma, Missling’s legacy endowment continues to pay it forward with scholarships to encourage future educators at UW-Eau Claire.
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Carolyn Barnhart