2015 Inductees

Linda M. HeatonLinda Medlen Heaton

B.S. Vocational Home Economics (Middle Tennessee State University) 1964
M.S. Textiles and Clothing (The University of Tennessee) 1970
Ph.D. Textiles and Clothing (The Ohio State University) 1980

Dr. Linda M. Heaton’s career in higher education spanned 36 years and included positions at The University of Tennessee, Georgia Southern College, The Ohio State University and Southwest Missouri State University. From 1980 to 2004, she was a member of the Extension faculty at the University of Kentucky, reaching the rank of Extension Professor prior to her retirement. Dr. Heaton authored or co-authored 8 refereed articles, more than 80 Extension publications and more than 30 abstracts and reports. She was an investigator on numerous grants with total funding of more than $870,000. Dr. Heaton’s professional memberships included the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS), International Textiles and Apparel Association (ITAA), Kentucky Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (KAFCS), Association of Kentucky Extension Specialists, Gamma Sigma Delta and Epsilon Sigma Phi. Her leadership positions included president of KAFCS, chair of the ITAA Extension and Outreach Committee and secretary/treasurer of the AAFCS Apparel and Textiles Division. In 2004 just prior to her retirement, Dr. Heaton established the James N. and Linda M. Heaton Master Volunteer in Clothing Education Endowment, earning recognition as a University of Kentucky Fellow. Since retirement, she has been an active leader in the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees and currently serves as District 5 Vice President.

Ruth DuncanRuth Hatchett Duncan

B.S. Home Economics (University of Kentucky) 1961

Ruth Hatchett Duncan graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. She began her career as a home economist for Kentucky Utilities, a position she held for three years. In 1969, Ruth began what would become a 32 year career of teaching. She taught tailoring part-time through the Fayette County School’s Adult Education Program; sewing classes through the Senior Citizens Center, Piece Goods Fabric Shop and Sandy’s Sewing Center; and served as a part time instructor in the UK College of Human Environmental Sciences. She retired from all teaching in 2004.
Ruth is active in professional and civic organizations, including the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Bluegrass Home Economists and Phi Upsilon Omicron. She is a member and past president of the University of Kentucky Woman’s Club and served as president of the UK College of Human Environmental Sciences Alumni Association. She served as a 4-H leader and member of the Fayette County Extension Council.
Ruth was inducted into the UK Fellows and Erikson Society in 1991. In 2006, she was recognized as a Centennial Laureate by the UK School of Human Environmental Sciences. In 2011, Ruth was named Bluegrass Area Ag & HES Alumni Association Outstanding Alumnus.

Mary Bell VaughanMary Bell Vaughan*

B. S. Home Economics (University of Kentucky) 1927
M.S. Home Economics Education (University of Kentucky) 1936

Mary Bell Vaughan’s distinguished career in home economics education spanned 45 years. Her first eleven years were dedicated to classroom teaching, with positions in Ballard County, Shelby County, Fayette County, Woodford County and at the University of Kentucky High School. In 1938, she was named assistant director of home economics education in the Kentucky Department of Education. In 1969, Mary was promoted to director of home economics education, a post she held until her retirement in 1972. During her tenure in the Department of Education, Mary played an instrumental role in organizing 88 charter chapters of the Future Homemakers of America (FHA) in Kentucky, and led the effort that qualified Kentucky to receive charter number one from national FHA. Through her leadership, many innovative FHA projects were implemented. One that continues and now bears her name is the scholarships program for outstanding students majoring in family and consumer sciences. Mary served on the National FHA Advisory Board from 1959-1961 and was awarded honorary membership in Kentucky and National FHA. She was active in professional associations, including the American Home Economics Association, where she served as the Kentucky affiliate president from 1941 to 1945. Mary was a sought after speaker and traveled to numerous states to present at teachers’ conferences.

*posthumously