11 Discipliary Identity

11.1 Specialization

Dickey, L.E. (1990). History of the Association of College Professors of Textile and Clothing - Central Region, 1944-1988. (ACPTC Special Publication #1). Monument, CO: Association of College Professors of Textiles and Clothing, 46 pages, $7.00.

Reviewed by Agatha Huepenbecker, Iowa State University

Periods of transition frequently call for a review of history to clarify the view of the future. As the regional and national organizations of the Association of College Professors of Textiles and Clothing were integrated into a single national association, the Central Region took that opportunity to review its history. Dickey's monographs the record of the 44 years of the Central Region history in which organizational change, leadership, and program activities are highlighted. Now a new transition presents itself. With the International Textiles and Apparel Association structure firmly in place, the professional association prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 1994. Using Dickey's format it would be appropriate to expand the historical record to include the Eastern and Western Regions.
The brief text of Dickey's monograph reminds us that what is now ITAA, evolved out of the efforts of home economics administrators in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Education to bring together leaders in the Eastern, Central, and Western regions of the country to consider ways to strengthen the field of textiles and clothing in the academic community. Given the current climate in higher education, our efforts to position the field of textiles and clothing in the core of programs of excellence which will remain effective and viable in the universities of today and the future are still of significant proportion.
The value of the monograph lies in the considerable appendices, which in effect become an index to the Proceedings of the Association. By scanning the annual meeting titles as they are listed, one's attention is drawn to the wealth of information the Proceedings hold about the academic nature and the professional field of textiles and clothing. The very purpose of the monograph then becomes its limitations because its focus is primarily on the Central Region despite the fact that tiles of inter-regional work conferences and triennial national meetings are also listed. The monograph is a useful key to unlocking the heritage of the Association but it calls for an expansion to include the Eastern and Western Regions.