Alumni Society

Rutgers University Food Science Alumni Committee
Ag Field Day on Rutgers Day Community Gathering: 
April 25, 2009
    

Post-Event Write-up-April 26, 2009

The Rutgers University Food Science Alumni Committee (RUFSAC) hosted their 8th annual community gathering during Rutgers Day on April 25, 2009.  It was a glorious day under sunny skies with throngs of attendees converging on all of the Rutgers campuses.  The Meet-N-Greet held in the CAFT conference room at noon was attended by approximately 30 people.  The RUFSAC would like to thank the GSA for the great effort taken to prepare the wonderful lunch that was served.  As a result of our Meet-N-Greet we have increased the ranks of our committee and identified long-sought alumni and former staff members.

The committee bestowed their award for significant contributions to the field of Food Science and Technology to Dr. Kan-ichi Hayakawa, professor emeritus of the Rutgers University Department of Food Science and Principle Investigator for research in Food Engineering from 1964 through 1999.  Dr. Hayakawa currently resides in Hawaii but due to health reasons could not join us to accept the award in person.  Instead, he sent us a written acceptance speech that was read by Dr. Kit Yam.  Dr. Yam also shared a colorful biography of Dr. Hayakawa complete with photographs representing just about every milestone in Dr. Hayakawa's life.  The presentation was both engaging and impressive.  The award ceremony was followed by a presentation from Diane Holtaway, Associate Director of the Food Innovation Center at Rutgers University.  The Food Innovation Center provides budding entrepreneurs access to facilities that can be used to conduct product development experiments.  The center can provide post-product development assistance as well.  Diane's presentation generated quite a bit of interest from the audience and I suspect that this is not the last we will hear from her.

The RUFSAC would like to thank the alumni and their guests for attending our event.  If you would like to become more involved in this committee please contact Laura Rokosz at egglrock@comcast.net or Dr. Mukund Karwe at karwe@AESOP.Rutgers.edu.