Lifetime Legacy Award

The AAFCS Lifetime Legacy Award was introduced in 2026 and is designed to recognize and celebrate AAFCS members whose sustained involvement has shaped AAFCS and the profession.

 

Applying for the Award

Any current member of AAFCS that has been a member for 10 or more years may apply for recognition as a Lifetime Legacy Awardee. 

Recognition

  • Each applicant found to meet the stated requirements will be recognized on the AAFCS website and at the 2026 AAFCS Annual Conference. 
  • Recipients will receive a commemorative lapel pin.

Steps to Submitting your Application

  1. Click the "Guidelines" button to review the rules and requirements of the award.
  2. Click the "Application" button to download the application form that you will need to complete and upload when submitting your application. Objective evidence can be attached to this document, or all documents can be zipped into a compressed folder and uploaded. Note: The Application provides you with guidance on the types of objective evidence that is needed.
  3. Click the "Submit" button when you are ready to submit your completed application. 

If you have any questions, please reach out through our Contact Us form found here.

Guidelines and Applications

Application Deadline: May 1, 2026

Guidelines

Application

Submit

Lifetime Legacy Award Recipients

Barbara L. Stewart, CFCS - 2026 Recipient

Dr Stewart is chair and professor in the Department of Human Development and Consumer Sciences, College of Engineering, at the University of Houston, and immediate past president of AAFCS. She received an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Brigham Young University, a M.S. in Consumer and Home Economics from Utah State University, and a B.A. in Clothing and Textiles from Brigham Young University. She is certified by AAFCS as a CFCS professional. Her research endeavors have focused on the learning/teaching enterprise, especially with regard to online technologies, including strategies and programs for underserved populations. She has authored more than 260 scholarly publications, texts, and presentations. Her research and fee-based funding efforts total in excess of $31 million. Her role as an expert in retail and consumer behavior results in frequent media interviews and appearances. She loves working in teams with other FCS professionals!

Lois J. Lewis, CFCS, CPFFE - 2026 Recipient

Lois Lewis is a retired Family & Consumer Sciences professional whose career includes being a County Extension Educator for six years, and a secondary Family & Consumer Sciences teacher for 30+ years, both in Minnesota. She has FCS degrees from the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Over the years, Lois built her FCS secondary program into a fulltime position, and implemented a successful ProStart culinary program, while advocating for FCS through the media and personal contacts. Many of her students are employed in the FCS field.

Awards Lois has received include the 2024 AAFCS Distinguished Service Award, 2012 AAFCS National Teacher of the Year, the 2014 Minnesota ProStart Educator of Excellence, and the 2018 Minnesota Rural Education Association Educator of Excellence. She has held multiple leadership and mentoring roles in MAFCS and AAFCS as well as in her church and community.