Messiah College News Archive

Raeann R. Hamon, Ph.D., CFLE, has been selected as a National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) Fellow for 2010.

NCFR Fellows were nominated by their peers and selected for their history of outstanding contributions to the field of family studies in such areas as published scholarship, innovative and influential teaching presentations, development and implementation of significant intervention of programs designed to promote healthy family relations, development and implementation of innovative curricular for training professionals in family studies, social policy support for family issues, and a consistent record of superior contributions to NCFR over time.

 Hamon is distinguished professor of family science and gerontology and chairperson in the department of human development and family science at Messiah College.

 Hamon received her B.A. degree in behavioral science from Messiah College and her M.S. and Ph.D. in family and child development/family studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Hamon is a recognized leader in the field of family science. Her scholarship includes contributions to at least 35 books and peer-reviewed journal articles. These include such major works as the multi-volume “International Encyclopedia of Marriage and Family,” the texts“Exploring Family Theories, Cultural Diversity and Families: Expanding Perspectives,” “International Family Studies: Developing Curricula and Teaching Tools,” “Mate Selection Across Cultures,” “Old People Say…,” “Tales From Eleuthera,” and a seminal “Special Issue of the Journal of Teaching in Marriage and Family: Innovations in Family Science Education on Service-learning and Family Science.”

 These publications partially reflect Hamon’s being acknowledged as an expert in family life education, cultural diversity and international families, aging, mate selection, and theory development. She has pioneered in the evolving field of cross-cultural research and theory building and attended to a research/theory agenda examining the intersection between faith and learning. In addition, she has given presentations at 97 professional conferences and 33 invited workshops. Accomplishments such as these have led to invitations to serve as a manuscript reviewer or as an editorial board advisory member for the “Journal of Marriage and Family,” “Family Relations,” “Journal of Family Theory and Review,” the “Journal of Applied Gerontology,” the “Family Science Review,” and the “Journal of Family Ministry.” Many of Hamon’s publications and presentations have focused on issues of teaching, learning and pedagogy, often combining theoretically-based research with practical application. She has taught 18 different courses and twice received Excellence in Teaching awards. An outstanding mentor of students, Hamon has provided scholar intern grants for students, an NCFR Mini Start-up Grant for Campus Affiliates, promoted undergraduate study abroad, and played a leading role in the Family Science Association, sponsor of the annual “Teaching Family Science” conference.

 Under her tutelage a large contingent of Messiah College undergraduaute students attend NCFR’s annual meeting. With another colleague, Hamon initiated NCFR’s Student Honor Recognition Award. Hamon has a remarkable record of commitment to community outreach and professional service to NCFR. She was an early advocate for providing service-learning courses on her campus. As an NCFR member, Hamon has been an active member and officer in the Mid-Atlantic Council of NCFR for almost 20 years. She has served as president of the Association of Councils and program chair of the 2009 NCFR Annual Conference. The latter role produced the visionary theme “Families in a Multicultural World,” dealing with globalization and the changing cultural environment in the United States. Other positions include the NCFR Board of Directors and numerous committee assignments, often focusing on international programs and the Certified Family Life Educator Program (CFLE). She has been awarded the Association of Council’s Meritorious Service Award and Special Recognition Award for Outstanding Service to the CFLE Program.