The Food Science and Human Nutrition Department (FSHN) at the University of Florida is known for its innovative research, accomplished faculty and alumni, and top-notch academic programs in food science, nutritional sciences, and dietetics. Yet even for seasoned members, it’s challenging to know everything about the FSHN department. That’s why we’re sharing five fun facts about our department, from the earliest days to now.
How many of these do you know?
1. The FSHN department’s precursor formed after dividing the UF Horticulture Department … back in 1956.
After the Morrill Act of 1862 established the land-grant university system, the development of agricultural studies in Florida culminated in the launch of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS)—which includes the FSHN Department—in April 1964. Land-grant universities like UF originally formed to study major agricultural industries, such as the dairy industry in Wisconsin, the cereal grains industry in Minnesota, and the seafood industry in Alaska. In Florida, experts in microbiology, plant physiology, chemistry, and more joined the UF Horticulture Department, studying fruit and vegetable production.
Over the years, UF evolved to address changing academic needs; this evolution included restructuring. In 1956, the UF Horticulture Department divided into four separate departments, each focusing on a distinct area of the field: Ornamental Horticulture, Vegetable Crops, Fruit Crops, and Food Technology. Food technologists, chemists, biochemists, nutritionists, physiologists, and nurses transferred from other UF departments to form the new Department of Food Technology and Nutrition.
2. The founding chair of the department held the position for 21 years.
Raymond “Ray” Dennison was the first chair of the Department of Food Technology and Nutrition (later the FSHN Department). He joined the department after wartime service in the late 1940s and a PhD in biochemistry. For 21 years (1956-1977), Dr. Dennison oversaw the department’s significant expansion and current facility construction (occupied February 1, 1969). He was responsible for hiring the faculty that helped grow the department from its earliest days and worked with industry and scientists throughout Florida.
Dr. Dennison was also a founder of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), Florida Section. In his honor, IFT Florida awards the Raymond A. Dennison Memorial Scholarship each year to an undergraduate student majoring in food science or human nutrition.
3. The FSHN Department has had thirteen department chairs, one of whom served twice (thanks, Dr. Sims!)
Over its storied history, thirteen FSHN chairs have led the department through renovations, restructuring, faculty changes, and more. Check out our fearless leaders below!
4. A former FSHN professor was instrumental in preventing innumerable birth defects.
Dr. Lynn Bailey, professor of nutritional sciences, published “Folate in Health and Disease” in December 1994. This landmark book is globally referred to as the “Folate Bible” and was highly influential in the development of a folate RDA for pregnant women. Given that folate deficiencies in pregnant women can result in devastating birth defects like spina bifida and anencephaly, Dr. Bailey’s work is responsible for preventing countless birth defects and saving many lives.
After a long and accomplished career, Dr. Bailey retired from the FSHN Department in 2011.
5. Three current faculty members in the department began as FSHN graduate students.
Any guesses who they are? Highlight the text below each set of pictures for the answer!
Dr. Renée Goodrich-Schneider as a new assistant professor.
Bonus! Students in the FSHN Department once worked together in the Pepsi Challenge as part of a class assignment.
In 2008, over 700 students enrolled in the FSHN course Man’s Food participated in the Pepsi Challenge, a blind taste test of Pepsi and its main competitor. PepsiCo has run this challenge since 1975. On the day of the FSHN challenge, all 700-plus students lined up in and around the FSHN building to taste cups of soda.
Which of these fun facts did you recognize? Let us know in the comments!
Special thanks to Julie Barber, Herschel Johnson, and Dr. Robert Bates for their valuable contributions to this article.
The mission of the Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) Department at the University of Florida is to empower students, faculty and staff to become lifelong learners by providing a comprehensive education in human nutrition, dietetics and food sciences, inspiring scholarship and professional excellence, engaging in a collaborative, diverse atmosphere of respect and creating leaders who seize opportunities to serve their global community.
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