Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni Society: News & Events
Also see the Alumni Members News page
Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni Society hosts luncheon
The Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni Society hosted a luncheon for alumni, students, faculty, and friends to provide a forum for mentoring, education and fellowship on Saturday, March 29, 2008, 12:00 p.m. Boardroom at the Nittany Lion Inn.
NDAS presented an honorary membership to Dr. Sara Parks in recognition of her commitment to students and alumni of the Department of Nutritional Sciences and her outstanding contributions to the field of nutrition and related disciplines.
The luncheon also featured a presentation by Dr. Domingo Pinero, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition and Food Studies New York University and remarks by Dr. Gordon Jensen, Professor and Head, Department of Nutritional Sciences.
NDAS President Amy Mackey and NDAS Vice President Christine Taylor present Sara Parks with an Honorary Membership in NDAS.
Sara Parks, recipient of an Honorary Membership in NDAS.
Recipients of NDAS travel grants, Michael Roussell and Paige Miller. Roussell and Miller used the grants to travel to the Experimental Biology Conference in San Diego in April 2008
NDAS President Amy Mackey
Domingo Pinero ’98g, NDAS Board member
Gordon Jensen, head, Department of Nutritional Sciences
Becky Ferguson ’08, recipient of the NDAS Outstanding Senior in Nutrition Award.
Brian Wansink: John S. Dyson Professor of Marketing, Cornell University, and author of “Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think”
Reception at Experimental Biology 2008
Please join the Department of Nutritional Sciences for a Reception at Experimental Biology 2008.
Saturday, April 5, 2008 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The reception will be held in the Orlando Room, San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina San Diego, California.
No RSVP is required.
For more information, please contact Abby Diehl, Director of Alumni and College Relations, at 814-863-2207 or abbyd@psu.edu.
Department Hosts Reception at ADA
The Department of Nutritional Sciences hosted an alumni reception at the American Dietetic Association's 2007 Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo in Philadelphia. More than 100 students, alumni, faculty, and friends were in attendance.
Nineteen nutritional sciences students had the opportunity to attend the conference and reception.
Nutritional sciences alumni enjoy networking and reconnecting at the reception.
Gordon Jensen presents a gift to Penny Kris-Etherton in recognition of her receipt of the Marjorie Hulsizer Copher Award.
Gordon Jensen presents a gift to John Milner in recognition of his receipt of an Honorary Membership.
Gordon Jensen presents a gift to Idamarie Laquatra in recognition of her receipt of the Medallion Award.
NDAS Currently Accepting Award Nominations
The NDAS awards committee is currently accepting nominations of Nutritional Sciences alumni for its Outstanding Nutrition Alumni Award. For more information about award criteria and nomination submission details, please click here www.hhdev.psu.edu/alumni/apg/ndas/awards_alumnidetails.html.
NDAS Sends Thanks to Donors
The Nutrition and Dietetics Affiliate Program Group would like to thank all alumni and friends who made a donation to support the APG in the past year. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and makes possible our many activities and programs, including travel grants for graduate students and awards for students and alumni.
See a list of all donors to the APG during fiscal year 2006-2007.
Nutritional Sciences Newsletter
View the Summer 2007 Department of Nutritional Sciences Newsletter
Moro Honored by Penn State Nutritional Sciences Alumni
Samantha Moro receives the John E. Smith Outstanding Senior in Nutrition Award from Dr. Michael Green, head of the Department of Nutritional Sciences
Samantha Moro of Carbondale, Pennsylvania, received the John E. Smith Outstanding Senior in Nutrition Award from the Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni Society (NDAS) at Penn State. She was honored on May 19 during a reception sponsored by Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development prior to commencement ceremonies. The award recognizes a student in the Department of Nutritional Sciences for exemplary leadership in the College of Health and Human Development or the University, and service to the community.
Moro, who graduated in May with a B.S. in Nutritional Sciences from Penn State, was actively involved in the campus and local communities as a student. She served as a trainer for the Health Works Peer Education and Outreach Program, treasurer of the College of Health and Human Development Student Council, and president of the Student Nutrition Association. In addition, she volunteered with the State College Food Bank, the Brookline Home Care and Hospice Center, and THON. She also organized volunteer opportunities as community enhancement coordinator of the Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society.
Moro excelled in the classroom, being named to the Dean’s List for seven semesters. She was a recipient of the Pennsylvania State University Dietetic Internship Scholarship, the Rose Cologne Keystone Citizen Award, and the American Dietetic Association Foundation’s Ecolab Scholarship. She completed an internship in 2006 at the Dairy Management Council/National Dairy Council in Chicago, Illinois, and participated in the International Program in Nutrition in Rome, Italy, in 2005.
Samantha Moro with her parents just prior to commencement ceremonies
After working as a counselor at the Penn State Nutrition Clinic this summer, Moro will pursue her Registered Dietitian credential through Penn State’s Dietetic Internship, a program with which she previously served as an undergraduate assistant.
The Penn State Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni Society is an affiliate program group of the Penn State Alumni Association and the College of Health and Human Development Alumni Society. NDAS engages and supports alumni, faculty, and students in the Department of Nutritional Sciences by sponsoring programming in the areas of mentoring, awards, communications, and social and professional activities.
Cast Your Vote
NDAS is conducting new board member elections. Watch your mailbox for an election ballot! Review the 2007 Candidates' biographies.
NDAS Sponsors Social at PADA
NDAS sponsored an alumni gathering at the Pennsylvania Dietetic Association Annual Meeting and Exhibition at the Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh on April 30.
DSCN108 Idamarie Laquatra, '75, '79g, '83g, Mary Alice Gettings '84, Barbara Mayfield, Jan Little '75
DSCN111 Mary Alice Gettings '84, Ida Laquatra '75, '79g, '83g, Paula Leuenberger '76
NDAS/Department of Nutritional Sciences host social at EB
NDAS and the Department of Nutritional Sciences participated in the All-University Social at the Experimental Biology Conference in Washington, DC on Sunday, April 29. In addition, graduate student Jodi Stotts received a travel grant from NDAS to attend the conference.
NDAS Travel Grant recipient Jodi Stotts
Laura Murray-Kolb, Phil Kolb, and Domingo Pinero
Domingo Pinero, Diane Mitchell, and Po-Min Lin
Advanced Learning Symposium Offered
Download Registration Form
Dear Colleagues:
Now is your chance to enroll in an Advanced Learning Symposium at Penn State University that will draw attention to senior-level management practices for Healthcare Foodservice Leaders!
The 2007 HFM (Healthcare Foodservice Management) and Penn State University Learning Symposium for Advance Level Practice: Leadership, Labor and Quantitative Decision Making was designed in response to the results of the 2007 HFM Professional Development Needs Assessment Survey. The Learning Symposium will take place on the Penn State University Campus (at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center) with content delivery by the highly regarded and well respected faculty from Penn State's Hospitality Leadership Institute (HLI). The date for the Symposium is May 7-9, 2007.
The intensive, all-day educational workshops are geared towards senior level healthcare foodservice operators and will focus on Quantitative Methods for Decision-Making; Using Labor Productivity and other Metrics; A Systems Approach to Consistently Exceeding Customer Expectations and Strategies for Employee Retention; as well as best practices from all segments of the Hospitality Industry.
Each participant will receive:
- A complimentary flash drive that contains speaker PowerPoint® slides, reference lists, templates and sample documents so attendees will have immediate access to „lessons learned‰ to utilize and implement at their respective facility.
- Summary of each participant‚s ideas on how to best use symposium information in their respective facility.
Stay on top of Healthcare Foodservice Industry changes! Don‚t miss out on this year's most cutting-edge Educational Symposium - reserve your spot today!
To register for this exclusive offer, complete the attached registration form and fax it to 212-370-9047. For further information, please call Holly Koenig at 212-297-2123 or email her at hkoenig@kellencompany.com.
Thank you.
Linda Lafferty
President, National Society for Healthcare Foodservice Management
HFM: The Benchmark for Excellence
Martha T. Conklin, PhD, RD, LDN
Associate Professor
School of Hospitality Management
Penn State University
NDAS Hosts Luncheon
On March 31, 2007, the Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni Society (NDAS) hosted a luncheon for nutritional sciences alumni, friends, faculty, and students. More than sixty people attended the luncheon, which was held at the Nittany Lion Inn. Among the highlights of the event were presentations by Dr. Christine Lewis Taylor '77g, '86g Scholar, Institute of Medicine, The National Academies; Dr. Amy Rossi Mobley '96, Assistant Professor of Nutrition, Purdue University; and Dr. Amy Mackey '97g, Research Scientist, Ross Products Division, Abbott Laboratories.
In addition, Cheryl Bonner, director of alumni career services, Penn State Alumni Association, gave a presentation entitled, "Best Practices for Networking at Penn State and Beyond."
The luncheon was also an opportunity for NDAS to present its annual Outstanding Alumni Award. Paula Leuenberger, NDAS president, presented the award to Idamarie Laquatra '75, '79g, '83g, director of global nutrition, H.J. Heinz Company. LaQuatra has previously served as president of NDAS and is currently a member of the College of Health and Human Development Alumni Society board of directors.
Dr. Amy Mackey (L), NDAS president-elect, and Paula Leuenberger (R), NDAS president, present the Outstanding Alumni Award to Dr. Idamarie Laquatra (center).
Dr. Amy Mackey, Dr. Christine Lewis Taylor, and Dr. Amy Rossi Mobley shared their career experiences and advice with those in attendance.
Dr. Mary Frances Picciano and Dr. Ruth Pike were among those in attendance.
Nutritional Sciences graduate students Elizabeth Madore and Grace Park with Linda Morrow.
Dr. Michael Green, professor and head, Department of Nutritional Sciences, talks with Mary Alice Gettings '84, a member of the NDAS board of directors.
The luncheon was topped off with some world-famous Creamery ice cream.
Leuenberger Speaks to Student Nutrition Association
Paula Klosterman Leuenberger '76, NDAS president, spoke to the Student Nutrition Association on December 6, 2006. She is pictured here with Samantha Moro, president of SNA.
Escape with the Penn State Family to an Unspoiled Paradise
Join the Penn State Alumni Association in a very exciting, new signature program called "Penn State Family Escape" developed to provide more affordable and family-inclusive and singles travel options. In 2007, the inaugural "Penn State Family Escape" will be held in beautiful St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, July 21 to 28, 2007.
This week-long vacation is a unique travel opportunity -- each of 200 oceanfront rooms at the Divi Resort on St. Croix will be completely filled with Penn State alumni and friends.
Highlights of the program are its Children's Camp and Teen Club, led by Penn State Altoona kindergarten and elementary education majors, and specially planned-Penn State activities for adults and families like a Penn State Casino Night, miniature and ãrealä golf tournaments, and crab races (it's not what you think!).
This affordable vacation is $1,275 per adult and $300 per child (not including air). Please contact the Alumni Association's travel partner, Alumni Family Getaways, at 1-888-840-1447 for detailed questions or to book this trip. For flight information including group air or individual air assistance contact Jackie Skinner at 1-800-326-0024 ext. 280.
A detailed brochure is available online at www.alumni.psu.edu/travel/2007 under St. Croix Family Getaway or you may link directly to the page.
PS - No passports are required for U.S. citizens to travel to and from St. Croix, even after Jan. 1, 2007!
NDAS Thanks Helen Wright
With gratitude for her outstanding years of service and commitment to Penn State nutritional sciences students, NDAS board member Mary Frances Picciano presented Helen Wright with a thank you gift at a dinner held in her honor on September 22, 2006.
Nutrition Merchandise Available
Nutrition Merchandise Order Form (.pdf file, 401kb)
Please add $6 shipping and handling to all orders. Please send checks and order forms to: Tricia Psota 126-S Henderson Bldg University Park, PA, 16801.
Alumni, Faculty Enjoy FNCE Reception
The Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni Society and the Department of Nutritional Sciences sponsored a reception at the American Dietetic Association's Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo in Hawaii in September.
Above: (L-R): Penny Kris-Etherton, Distinguished Professor of Nutrition; Amy Rossi Mobley '96; Marie Kamp, Instructor in Nutrition; Jaime Schwartz '01
NDAS Honors Smith
NDAS recently presented Dr. John Smith, its first faculty liaison, with a keepsake lion and news that the NDAS senior award will be named The John E. Smith Outstanding Senior in Nutrition Award, in recognition of his outstanding service to NDAS and his twenty-five years of service to Penn State. Last spring Dr. Smith, who worked with the APG from its inception in 1998 until 2005, also received the CHHD Faculty Appreciation Award for his work with NDAS. Graduate student Liz Hill Ruder and alumna Paula Leuenberger, president of NDAS, attended the October 20 appreciation luncheon in his honor.
NDAS Receives Award
The Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni Society received the first-ever "MACS" Award from the College of Health and Human Development Alumni Society during the Society's board of directors meeting on Saturday, October 7, 2006. The award is given annually to one Affiliate Program Group (APG) in the College Health and Human Development for outstanding accomplishments related to the four primary areas of APGs' operations: Mentoring, Awards, Communications and Social/Professional activities.
Eileen Soisson, APG Committee Chair of the Society's board of directors, indicated that NDAS was selected for the award for its participation in the College's Mentoring Program, its new mentoring event for graduate students during the spring semester, sponsorship of awards for nutritional sciences students and alumni, participation in the College of Health and Human Development awards program, communication with alumni, and networking receptions at professional meetings and regional events.
Alumni Tailgate 2007
Martha Gregory '82 NUTR and her sister Sally enjoyed the College of Health and Human Development Alumni Tailgate on Saturday, September 16 prior to the Penn State-Youngstown State football game.
NDAS and the Department of Nutritional Sciences co-sponsored a reception at the American Dietetic Association's Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE) in St. Louis, Missouri
Cynthia Burke '79, president of the Pennsylvania Dietetic Association, draws a door prize winner from Rose Martin, '83g, as Paula Leuenberger '76 looks on.
Dr. Lorraine Weatherspoon '92g, assistant professor of community nutrition and dietetics at Michigan State University, draws another door prize winner as Cynthia Burke and Paula Leuenberger look on.
NDAS Sends Thanks to Donors
The Nutrition and Dietetics Affiliate Program Group would like to thank all alumni and friends who made a donation to support the APG in the past year. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and makes possible our many activities and programs, including travel grants for graduate students and awards for students and alumni. See a list of all donors to the APG during fiscal year 2005-2006.
NDAS Presents Outstanding Senior in Nutrition Award
The Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni Society (NDAS) honored three graduating seniors with its Outstanding Senior in Nutrition Award. Jennifer Regester was selected as the 2006 Outstanding Senior in Nutrition and Allison Ungar and Catherine Vitelli were the runners-up. Regester and Vitelli received certificates at the College of Health and Human Development Commencement Reception on Saturday, May 13 (Ungar, who graduated in December of 2005, was not present). In addition, the APG was pleased to present Jennifer with a $100 cash award.
Jennifer Regester and Michael Green, head, department of nutritional sciences
Jennifer Regester's commitment to the field of nutrition can be seen in both her academic achievements and her involvement in activities while a student at Penn State. As 2005-2006 president of the Student Nutrition Association, Jennifer was responsible for bringing Morgan Spurlock, director of the documentary Super Size Me, to Penn State. Not only did she manage the details of his visit, but she also coordinated the nutrition and health exhibit that took place before and after his sold-out speech at Eisenhower Auditorium.
As a member of the Health and Human Development Student Council, Jennifer participated in numerous service projects including Jeans for Teens, the Arthritis Walk and World AIDS Day. She was the community service coordinator for Kappa Omicron Nu and danced in THON. She also was a member of the 2004-2005 class of the Women‚s Leadership Initiative.
Prior to her graduation in May, Jennifer worked as a nutrition counselor at the Penn State Nutrition Clinic and was a nutrition peer education team trainer for Penn State HealthWorks. She will begin her dietetic internship this fall at Johns Hopkins-Bayview Medical Center.
Catherine Vitelli and Michael Green, head, department of nutritional sciences
Catherine Vitelli is a graduate of Fort LeBoeuf High School in Waterford, PA. She maintained a 3.89 grade-point average while being enrolled in the Schreyer Honors College. Vitelli was president of Kappa Omicron Nu, a national human sciences honor society; a peer health educator for Penn State HealthWorks and a member of the Student Nutrition Association. She was also a protégé in the HHD Mentoring Program. Vitelli also worked as a nutrition counselor in the Penn State Nutrition Clinic and a diet technician at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Center. Vitelli, who graduated in May, will be completing a dietetic internship in her hometown through the University of Northern Colorado distance education program with hopes of becoming a dietitian working with developmentally disabled individuals in her community.
NDAS honors one of its own at Experimental Biology conference
Greg Miller was selected to receive the NDAS 2006 Outstanding Alumni Award, which recognizes an alumnus/alumna who has distinguished him- or herself through contributions in the discipline, such as publication, service, research or administration. He was presented with the award at the Experimental Biology conference in April in San Francisco.
Greg received his M.S. and Ph.D. in Nutrition (Toxicology) from Penn State and has retained close ties to Penn State. Greg has just completed multiple terms as a board member for the College of Health and Human Development Alumni Society. In addition, Greg was a pioneer in the creation of the NDAS. He served as acting president during the first year in 1997-1998 and then two years as president and two additional years as past president.
Although Greg is extremely busy with his position as executive vice president for innovation at DMI/National Dairy Council, he continues to remain active in many other alumni activities and returns to campus often for mentoring students and other association events. Students always comment on their appreciation of his enthusiasm and dedication. He also takes the time to provide suggestions to the board of NDAS and to the Penn State Department of Nutritional Sciences.
Greg Miller truly embodies the phrase "Penn State Pride." NDAS is most appreciative of his efforts and congratulate him on this well-deserved award.
Dr. Gregory Miller, the first president of NDAS, is pictured with Amy Rossi Mobley '96 (left), also a former NDAS president; and Vikkie Mustad '95g (center).
NDAS gave travel grants of $500 each to two nutritional sciences graduate students who attended the conference. Regan Bailey (left) and Amy Griel (right), travel grant recipients, are pictured with Amy Rossi Mobley (center).
Michael Green, head, Department of Nutritional Sciences (left), with Domingo Pinero '98g (center) and Greg Miller
NDAS Presents Dr. Helen Guthrie with Honorary Membership
The Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni Society presented Dr. Helen Guthrie with an honorary membership in the Society at a luncheon on Saturday, March 25 at the Nittany Lion Inn on the Penn State University Park campus. Seventy alumni, faculty, students and friends attended the luncheon to honor Dr. Guthrie's contributions to the Department of Nutritional Sciences and to the field of nutrition. During the luncheon, several alumni and friends spoke about the impact that Dr. Guthrie had on them personally. The luncheon was also an opportunity for the students in attendance to interact with alumni working in a variety of fields, including government, industry and consulting.
Dr. Helen Guthrie
Ida Laquatra '75, '79g, '83g
Rachel Johnson '74, '91g
Mary Frances Picciano '70g, '74g
Helen Wright '69g, professor of nutritional sciences
John Milner, former head of the Department of Nutritional Sciences
Sara Parks '97g EDU
Amy Mackey '97g (vice president) (L) and Paula Leuenberger '76 (president) (R) present Dr. Helen Guthrie with an honorary membership in the Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni Society.
Helen Guthrie
Michael Green, head of the Department of Nutritional Sciences, gives a brief history of the department.
Helen Guthrie
Mentoring Program
On February 3, 2006, the Department of Nutritional Sciences hosted its annual mentoring kickoff dinner and workshop at the Nittany Lion Inn. Approximately fifty alumni and students were in attendance. The Mentoring Program pairs students with alumni working in their field of interest. For more information, please visit the HHD Mentoring Program pages at www.hhdev.psu.edu/alumni/mentor.
Joette Schwenk '89 and her protege, Sarah Kinkley
Richard Allison '64 and his protege, Rachelle Gill, talk about their experiences in the mentoring program
Emily Zuckerman and Jennifer Bearman, both protégé's