The University of Arizona Alumnus / Spring 2009
Family Matters
Frances McClelland’s Dedication to Children and FamiliesHonored by Namesake Institute
by Eric Swedlund
Calling it a “lasting and fitting tribute” to one of the UA’s greatest supporters, President Robert N. Shelton formally dedicated the Frances McClelland Institute for Children, Youth, and Families in March.
Frances McClelland, who graduated from The University of Arizona in 1944, and her brother, Norman McClelland ’49, built their immigrant parents’ dairy into Shamrock Foods Co. The UA alumna, who passed away in 2005, was noted across Arizona for her dedication to children and strengthening families. She served on the UA Institute for Children, Youth, and Families’ inaugural advisory board and on the UA Foundation board.
“Frances’ legacy is certainly extraordinary at The University of Arizona. She and Norm are, in the truest spirit of the word, steadfast supporters of the university,” Shelton said. “Frances had a particular passion for strengthening families, and I’m sure those of you who knew her would agree that attaching her name to the institute is fitting.”
The dedication, held in the Ira Fulton Auditorium at McClelland Park, the new home of the UA John and Doris Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences, brought together friends and family of the late McClelland, along with university faculty and community leaders.
“Frances cared deeply about people from all walks of life, particularly those who are disadvantaged,” said Soyeon Shim, director of the Norton School. “I was truly inspired by her spirit, her passion for life, and her caring for people who faced disadvantages and obstacles.”
Shim, who recalled how McClelland led by example with a strong-willed and extraordinarily generous nature, said the school has tremendous gratitude for its longtime friend.
“Our actions today present a challenge that encourages others to follow. The life of Frances is an inspiration to so many people. The causes that Frances spent so much time promoting matter to all of us in this community and this country,” she said.
Janet Marcotte, executive director of the YWCA of Tucson, said McClelland’s impact was profound. “Her practical and no-nonsense approach reminded everyone that we had a real responsibility to enrich the lives of those we serve,” Marcotte said. “She set a high standard and she knew that the role of a leader is to get results.
“I think Frances would be happy today, but not because the YWCA building and this wonderful institute at the UA are named in her honor. The institute that shares her name, shares her commitment to really making a difference in the everyday lives of children, youth, and families.”
Norm McClelland said his late sister exemplified the will and spirit of her heritage. Their parents came to America in search of freedom from religious persecution and were characterized by their passion for education, dynamic individualism, and strong sense of community.
“I’m pleased to see one of her dreams fulfilled here today. She would never have put her name on the institute if she was alive, but I am thrilled,” he said. “Our dream is that students will learn to take full responsibility for their lives and that the bonds of their families, and all families, will be strengthened.”
The Science of Human Behavior
The McClelland Institute has the most state-of-the- art research space for observing human behavior in Tucson, and arguably, the state.
The different sized and formatted research rooms can be used to observe one-on-one behavior such as a parent-child interaction to large group settings such as a classroom.
The high-tech subject and observation rooms include equipment for collecting physiological data and hidden microphones and video cameras linked to specialized software that makes detailed recordings of each individual’s behavior.
McClelland Park is the only facility on campus using Noldus software — the most advanced academic research application of its kind — for psychological and sociological data collection.
While the research labs have the customary mirrored windows for peering into subject rooms, they are usually hidden behind curtains. People behave more naturally with hidden cameras.
Emily Butler, Ph.D., chair of health, emotion, and relationships at the institute, is studying the connections among emotions, eating, and the relationship process in couples struggling with obesity.
Other studies include one for therapists-in-training on ways to improve their methods for connecting to patients.
Frances McClelland Institute for Children, Youth, and Families
The Frances McClelland Institute for Children, Youth, and Families focuses its research efforts on three interdisciplinary initiatives: fathers, parenting, and families; adolescent health and development; and health, emotion, and relationships.
Additional research initiatives in development include family financial well-being, culture and families, and early childhood development.
“Our contemporary responsibility is to contribute to science and strengthen the understanding of families, consumers, and the marketplace,” says Stephen T. Russell, director of the McClelland Institute and the Fitch Nesbitt Endowed Chair in Family and Consumer Sciences. “In all of this work, we are committed to making our results useful and accessible.”
In March, the institute hosted a two-day interdisciplinary academic conference on Adolescent Youth in the 21st Century. The institute has published several Research Link brochures, available online at http://mcclellandinstitute.arizona.edu/researchLink.html, which highlight current research on topics such as teen pregnancy prevention and understanding bullying.
Putting Children First
Nadine Basha— First Frances McClelland Vision Award Honoree
Selecting the first recipient of the Vision Award from the Frances McClelland Institute for Children, Youth, and Families at The University of Arizona was easy.
For an award that recognizes individuals whose efforts have improved the lives of Arizona children and families, the faculty quickly settled on Nadine Mathis Basha, said Soyeon Shim, director of the UA John and Doris Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Basha is a former public schoolteacher and founder of the Children’s Action Alliance. She serves on the boards of WestEd, a regional educational research and development organization, the Center for the Future of Arizona, and the Ellis Center for Educational Excellence. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Kansas and a master’s in early childhood education from Arizona State University.
In 2006, Basha led a statewide initiative to create First Things First, the nonprofit organization that oversees the use of state taxes collected on tobacco sales for early childhood development and health programs. The UA College of Education is leading the five-year, $25 million project.
“First Things First and the Frances McClelland Institute really do share a common vision. We’re both research-driven and we both want to be a catalyst for the changes we want to see,” she said.
It is precisely the type of scientific research the Frances McClelland Institute focuses on that helped Basha galvanize public support for First Things First, she said. Basha serves as board chair of the children’s program.
“The research was a huge catalyst for our work, to lay the groundwork and to help drive the efforts we have in public policy and the rest of society,” she said. “Watching First Things First grow is a wonderfully empowering process. We overcame many obstacles because we were able to keep our eyes on the prize.”
Basha and her husband, Eddie Basha, whose family founded Basha’s supermarkets, each have received numerous honors and recognition for their business, philanthropic, and educational efforts in support of children.
After presenting Basha’s award, UA President Robert N. Shelton announced she will receive an honorary doctorate at the UA’s May commencement ceremony. Basha was co-nominated by faculty in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Education.
“She was a friend of Frances McClelland and, like Frances, Nadine has spent her adult life dedicated to fostering the development of early childhood care and education,” Shelton said. “On behalf of the entire University of Arizona community, we are so pleased that she is the first recipient of this award — and we are sure that Frances would be pleased, as well.”
Basha said the award is very humbling, and it “immortalizes Frances’ dedication and long commitment to the state, its families, and this university she adored.”
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