Take care,
Andrea Bouma
IFTSA Immediate Past President 2011-2012
 Hello Foodies!
First, I would like to say thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you and the IFT Student Association. I had the opportunity to meet several of you at our IFT Annual Meeting. I was excited to experience such enthusiasm and passion for IFT and the food science profession. I look forward to working with you this year to achieve our IFTSA annual goals which include increasing our student membership benefits and developing a humanitarian outreach program. These goals cannot be properly accomplished without your insight! With that, I ask that you become an active member of IFTSA, so that your ideas and suggestions can be heard. Join an IFT section or IFT division and connect with like-minded peers and colleagues today. You can also participate in your university's food science club. I am very excited about this year! Thanks again for the opportunity to represent you and the IFT Student Association.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Willig
IFTSA President 2011-2012
Were you one of the many IFTSA members who explored the Crescent City while attending the IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo® from June 11-14? Between marveling at street performers in the French Quarter to indulging in powdered sugar beignets at Café du Monde, student members also explored all of the sights and sounds of Ernest Morial Convention Center.  Student research flooded the expo floor with more than 1,200 scientific posters. Sam Kass was the guest speaker at the IFTSA Welcome Assembly and 26th Annual College Bowl Competition. Kass is the assistant chef for the White House, the Senior Policy Advisor for the Healthy Food Initiative, and has been an influential advisor with the Let's Move Campaign.
Students braved the early morning humidity and traveled on buses to Audubon Park for the 11th Annual Fun Run & Walk. The Fun Run raised a record high $77,000 through the support of generous sponsors and race participants. Proceeds from the Fun Run & Walk are designated for food science undergraduate and graduate scholarships.
Check out the August issue of Food Technology here for a more detailed recap of the IFT Annual Meeting. You can also view articles and photos of our student members highlighted for their hard work and innovation in New Orleans.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR IFTSA COMPETITION WINNERS
The immense level of talent that exists within the IFT Student Association was very apparent in New Orleans. Congratulations to all students who delivered a winning entry to one of the many IFTSA competitions, as seen below. Chapter of the Year Competition Chapter of the Year: Oregon State University
Most Improved Chapter of the Year: University of Minnesota
College Bowl Winner: The Ohio State University
Runner-up: Chapman University
Developing Solutions for Developing Countries Domestic
1st Place: Cornell University with "MandiMais"
2nd Place: University of Minnesota with "Nkwa Brodo"
3rd Place: Rutgers University with "Galletas Fortaleza"
International
1st Place: Brawijaya University with "Iron-Rich Instant Noodle" (Indonesia)
2nd Place: Gadjah Mada University with "Soy Rice Porridge" (Indonesia)
3rd Place: Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai with "Ferro-Power" (India)
Disney Product Development Competition  
Grand prize: University of Wisconsin-Madison with "Pixie Dust Fruit Beverage Mix" 1st Place: University of Arkansas with "Phenomenal Funchies" Honorary mention: University of Nebraska -Lincoln with "CarsZone" Honorary mention: University of Wisconsin-Madison with "Tangerine Dream" Honorary mention: Rutgers University with "Gitchi Gitchi Goo" Honorary mention: Washington State University/University of Idaho University with "Mater's Craters"
Excellence in Leadership Award Undergraduate: Emily Del Bel, Oregon State University
Graduate: Helen Melito, North Carolina State University
Product Development Competition 1st Place: Michigan State University with "Minute Escape"
2nd Place: Cornell University with "Vege3"
3rd Place: University of Wisconsin-Madison with "Blissful Bites"
Undergraduate Research Competition 1st Place: Abigail Snyder, The Ohio State University
2nd Place: Dominique Sinopoli, Cornell University
3rd Place: Karen Chang, Rutgers University
You could very well have an innovative idea worthy of recognition at next year's student competitions. It's not too early to start thinking about the 2012 IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo in Las Vegas. You won't want to miss it! IMPORTANT IFTSA DATES
While the 2011-2012 academic year is at the forefront of your mind, grab your calendars and make a note of these important 2012 IFTSA competition dates for preliminary proposals. January 7: Heart Healthy Product Development Competition
January 15: Developing Solutions for Developing Countries Competition
February 1: Product Development Competition
February 15: Disney-IFTSA Product Development Competition
February 25: Heart Healthy Final Proposals
March 1: Undergraduate Research Competition Abstracts
March 1: Excellence in Leadership Nominations
May 1: Chapter of the Year Applications Finals March 28-29: IFT Wellness Conference (Heart Healthy Competition)
June 25-28: IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo in Las Vegas |