University of Wisconsin-Madison Crowned College Bowl Champion at Food Science Event

CHICAGO – August 1, 2024 – The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit scientific organization committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system, is proud to announce that the University of Wisconsin-Madison has won the IFT Student Association (IFTSA) College Bowl Competition, sponsored by Purina. Since 1985, the competition has tested the knowledge of student teams from across the United States as this year’s participants answered trivia questions in several areas, including food science and technology, the history of foods and food processing, food law, and general IFT/food-related trivia.

The final round of the competition took place at the IFTSA Closing Ceremony at the recently completed IFT FIRST: Annual Event and Expo, the popular food science, technology, and innovation event that was held July 14-17, 2024, in Chicago.

College Bowl champions in 2019 and runners-up in 2023, the University of Wisconsin-Madison team this year completed an undefeated run with a victory over California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in the finals. More than 65 schools across eight geographic regions competed in College Bowl this year.

The team’s roster is:

• Team Captain Tori Budin, New Albany, Ohio
• Philip Eberly Wooster, Ohio
• Lauren Smith Dublin, Ohio
• Bea Sutton Ashland, Wisconsin

As winner, the University of Wisconsin-Madison team received $1,000 and partial reimbursement for team travel and registration to IFT FIRST. Second-place finisher Cal Poly Pomona received partial reimbursement for IFT FIRST as well as $750 while University of Georgia, Athens finished third.

To learn more about becoming a student member and taking advantage of networking, education, and advocacy opportunities year-round, email [email protected].

About Institute of Food Technologists Student Association

The Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA) is a student-governed community of more than 2,000 IFT members spanning 62 Chapters in 60 countries. IFTSA’s vision of a global community of inspired and informed students who are prepared for a future in food drives its mission to enrich the academic experience and empower students to thrive individually and together. To prepare the future and celebrate the community, IFTSA provides opportunities beyond the classroom and lab, grows student networks to facilitate meaningful and lasting connections, as well as includes and promotes diverse perspectives and backgrounds to foster a culture of belonging. For more information, visit ift.org/community/students.

About Institute of Food Technologists

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a global organization of over 11,000 individual members from more than 90 countries committed to advancing the science of food. Since 1939, IFT has brought together the brightest minds in food science, technology and related professions from academia, government, and industry to solve the world’s greatest food challenges. IFT works to ensure that its members have the resources they need to learn, grow, and innovate to advance the science of food as the population and the world evolve. IFT believes that science and innovation is essential to ensuring a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. For more information, please visit ift.org.

Media Contacts

Dennis Van Milligen
Director, Public and Media Relations
Institute of Food Technologists
630-853-3022
[email protected]

Frannie Comstock
Manager, PR and Marketing
Institute of Food Technologists
513-374-8900
[email protected]