CFAES Connect: March 2017

Nearly 150 people recently assembled to honor the achievements and service of 14 alumni from The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).

The annual CFAES Alumni Awards luncheon recognizes alumni and friends with awards for Meritorious Service to the College, Distinguished Alumni, International Professional and Young Professional.

“Thank you for advancing your professions and bringing honorable recognition to yourself, our college, and the university,” presenter Ryan Conklin said before alumni, faculty, staff, family and friends during the event, hosted by the college March 4.

It was the first time back on campus since graduation for Young Professional Award recipient Chanun "Mo" Somboonvechakarn, who traveled from Bangkik, Thailand for the ceremony.

"I feel very honored to be receiving this award. It reminds me of where I am from and to keep moving forward," he said.

Guests joined recipients for a pleasant buffet lunch and a celebration of their accomplishments and service to the college. Photos can be found at go.osu.edu/cfaesawards2017.

Meritorious Service Award

• John C. “Jack” Fisher, B.S., M.S. (1967, 1969) Columbus, OH
• Dan Wampler, B.S., Ph.D. (1980, 1983) Cincinnati, OH
• Jill Pfister, B.S., Ph.D. (1976, 1983) Springfield, OH

Distinguished Alumni Award

• William Hildebolt, B.S., M.S., Ph.D. (1966, 1967, 1969) Winston Salem, NC
• The Honorable Brian Hill, AAS, B.S. (1984, 1986) Zanesville, OH
• Lewis R. Jones, B.S. (1965) Grove City, OH
• Isaac “Ike” Kershaw IV, Ph.D. (1993) West Jefferson, OH
• Kurt Loudenback, B.S. (1983) Sioux Falls, SD
• John O’Meara, B.S., M.S. (1978, 1983) Worthington, OH
• Ron Overmyer, B.S., M.S. (1966, 1972) Oak Harbor, OH
• Lawrence “Larry” Piergallini, B.S. (1977) Dillonvale, OH

International Alumni Award

• Albert T. Modi, Ph.D. (1999) Scottsville, South Africa

Young Professional Award

• Katy Endsley, B.S. (2004) Baltimore, OH
• Chanun Somboonvechakarn, B.S., M.S. (2007, 2009) Bangkok, Thailand

Join the Department of Plant Pathology throughout the year with events commemorating its 50th anniversary.

The first events are a reunion luncheon July 1 at Longaberger Alumni House on the Columbus campus and an informal visit to the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) in Wooster on July 2.

Seating is limited at the luncheon. RSVP here.

Learn more.

Eventually, anyone who eats food produced in Ohio may see -- or taste -- the benefits of some recent equipment donated to The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

In addition to a new teaching tool for food science students, the gift from nine corporate donors will provide hands-on training and applied research opportunities for Ohio’s food industry professionals and entrepreneurs.

The state-of-the-art equipment is located in the pilot plant at the Wilbur A. Gould Food Industries Center in the Ohio State Department of Food Science and Technology:

• An HTST Pasteurizer Skid and Homogenizer allows for processing of milk, dairy and non-dairy products, including frozen dessert mixes, non-dairy milks (almond, soy, etc.), yogurt mixes and juices. This donation was spearheaded by OCS Process Systems with gifts from Rockwell Automation, Pentair, AGC Heat Transfer, Anderson-Negele, Fristam Pumps, Industrial Automation and Tetra Pak.
• An Expander-Extruder-Cooker™, donated by Anderson International, can be used to produce snack foods, breakfast cereals, pet food and animal feed.

“Food companies in Ohio and beyond will be able to conduct relevant trials that are economical and can be scaled up, while having no effect on their operation’s production efficiency,” said Steven Simmons, a program specialist with the pilot plant.

“The Food Industries Center now has the opportunity to conduct applied research on a wider variety of food products, with an emphasis on foods for health, which aligns with the focus of the Department of Food Science and Technology, the college, and university,” Simmons said. “All current and future applied research initiatives are developed with the industry in mind. The Food Industries Center’s goal is to produce relevant findings and data that are immediately applicable for the food industry.”

“Thank you to our supporters for their generosity and dedication to our program,” Prof. Valente Alvarez told nearly 100 industry professionals who gathered recently to celebrate the gift and see the equipment at the J.T. “Stubby” Parker Food Science and Technology Building.

“This generous gift epitomizes the importance of industry collaboration with the college,” Department Chair Sheryl Barringer said.

Time remains to see the exhibit Building Ohio State: From Forest to the Renovation of the Thompson Library, which examines the shared history of Ohio's forests and The Ohio State University.  The exhibit is documented in this video from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

The exhibit runs through May 14 in the Thompson Library Gallery, 1858 Neil Avenue Mall, on the Columbus campus

Please watch the third chapter of the three-part series, which is below.

And here are the second and first chapters in the trilogy, in case you missed them.