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K-State Today

May 19, 2011

Career excellence: Consumer Affairs group recognizes John Grable for contributions to the field

Submitted by Julie Fosberg

A Kansas State University professor is being recognized for his contributions to consumer economics.

John Grable, professor in the School of Family Studies and Human Services in K-State's College of Human Ecology, received the Mid-career Award from the American Council on Consumer Interests at its recent annual conference in Washington, D.C. The award honors significant contributions to the field of consumer economics and consumer affairs.

It's been nearly 30 years since someone from Kansas has won the award.

"This is truly an honor because it comes from my colleagues from around the world, for whom I have great admiration -- these are top-notch researchers and policymakers," Grable said.

Grable, the Vera Mowery McAninch professor of human development and family studies in the College of Human Ecology, is director of the Institute of Personal Financial Planning at K-State and the graduate certification program. He helped launch a doctorate program in personal financial planning in 2009 that has drawn students from around the world. It's one of the only programs of its kind.

The American Council on Consumer Interests is the leading consumer policy research and education organization consisting of a worldwide community of researchers, educators and related professionals dedicated to enhancing consumer well-being. It promotes the consumer interest by encouraging, producing and communicating policy-relevant research.

Grable is immediate past president of the council. He is founding editor of the Journal of Personal Finance, a rigorous peer-reviewed research journal, and co-editor of the Journal of Financial Therapy.

His other honors include the prestigious Cato Award for Distinguished Journalism in the Field of Financial Services in 2004, and the Founders Award from the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants Founders Award in 2006. He received the College of Human Ecology's Dawley-Scholer Award for Faculty Excellence in Student Development in 2007. Grable earned a bachelor's in economics and business from the University of Nevada, a master of business administration from Clarkson University and a doctorate in family financial and resource management from Virginia Tech.