Awards and Scholarships

Timely Notice:
Qualifying students are encouraged to submit their applications now for the 2010 IFT-Great Lakes Section Scholarships. All applications must be received no later than 5 p.m., February 2, 2010.

Scholarships available include:

Undergraduate Achievement Award - $1000 Award
Clifford L Bedford Scholarship - $1000 Award
Master of Science Achievement Scholarship – $1000 Awards
Ph.D Achievement Scholarship – $1000 Awards.
Great Lakes Section Diversity Scholarship - $1000 Award
Great Lakes Section Active Student Member Scholarship - $1000 Award

For complete details and the application form, click here.

There are a number of programs in place providing students with scholarships, awards, incentives and opportunities, including:

Participation in the Institute of Food Technologists, Great Lakes Section
Involvement with IFTSA (Institute of Food Technologists Student Association)
Great Lakes Section, IFT Scholarships and Awards
Student Travel Incentives

Involvement with IFTSA (Institute of Food Technologists Student Association)

Student members have opportunities to participate in IFTSA activities such as College Bowl, Product Development, Chapter of the Year and research paper competitions. Students also have the chance to apply for national IFT scholarships/fellowships. Michigan State University actively participates in the Product Development team, College Bowl and Chapter of the Year, and have student representatives in IFTSA. Please contact Dr. Janice Harte (harteja@msu.edu) about the Product Development team and Dr. Kirk Dolan about the College Bowl Team.

Great Lakes Section, IFT Student Awards*

i) Undergraduate Achievement Award:
One award per academic year shall be presented to a deserving student at a meeting of the section. Criterion for selection of the award recipient are as follows:

Eligibility: The recipient shall be an undergraduate student who is a declared food science, nutrition, food engineering, food packaging, food service or other related curriculum leading to a bachelor degree.
Selection: Selection shall be made on the basis of both academic and non-academic performance.

ii) Clifford L. Bedford Scholarship Award:
One scholarship per academic year shall be presented to a deserving student or two deserving students at a meeting of the section. Criteria for selection of the recipient(s) are as follows:

Eligibility: The recipient shall be an undergraduate student who is a declared food science, nutrition, food engineering, food packaging, food service or other related curriculum leading to a bachelor degree and intends to pursue a career in the food industry.
Selection: Selection shall be made on the basis of both academic and non-academic performance.

iii) Master of Science Achievement Scholarship Awards:
Each academic year, awards shall be presented to deserving students at a meeting of the section. Criteria for selection of the award recipient are as follows:

Eligibility: The recipients shall be a Master's of Science candidate in Food Science in good academic standing.
Selection: Selection shall be made on the basis of academic performance, research accomplishments and professional potential.

iv) Ph.D. Achievement Scholarship Awards:
Each academic year, awards shall be presented to deserving students at a meeting of the section. Criteria for selection of the award recipient are as follows:

Eligibility: The recipients shall be a Ph.D. candidate in Food Science in good academic standing.
Selection: Selection shall be made on the basis of academic performance, research accomplishments and professional potential.

v) Great Lakes Section Diversity Scholarship Award:
Each academic year, awards shall be presented to deserving students at a meeting of the section. Criteria for selection of the award recipient are as follows:

Eligibility: Recipient must be a full-time minority student (either graduate or undergraduate) with a declared curriculum of food science, nutrition, food packaging, food engineering, or other related disciplines with plans to pursue a career in the food industry.
Selection: Selection shall be made on the basis of academic performance, research accomplishments and professional potential.

vi) Great Lakes Section Active Student Member Scholarship Award:
Each academic year, award shall be presented to deserving students at a meeting of the section. Criteria for selection of the award recipient are as follows:

Eligibility: Recipient must be a full-time student (either graduate or undergraduate) with a declared curriculum of food science, nutrition, food packaging, food engineering, or other related disciplines with plans to pursue a career in the food industry and show active involvement in the Great Lakes Section of IFT as well as other activities of IFT.
Selection: Selection shall be made on the basis of academic performance, research accomplishments and professional potential.
*In the event of a tie for any of the awards, the award will be split equally between the tied applicants.

Basic Requirements For All Awards:

At least a 3.0 GPA
Active Membership in IFT and GLS-IFT
Enrolled in an accredited Michigan college or university
Selection of all award recipients will be made by the Scholarship Awards Committee as outlined by the GLS-IFT by-laws.

Deadline for Submission in 2010 is February 1. Click here for details and 2010 application form, or contact Dr. Janice Harte.

Travel Incentive Program

This program was prepared to address a number of issues raised by the executive board and members of GLS-IFT related to student involvement in the section, providing service to the section and equity/accountability in distribution of travel funds to students. This program was reviewed and approved by the GLS-IFT executive board and will be implemented.The goals and criteria of the program are outlined below.

Foster student involvement in section activities and have students provide service to the section.

Business meetings--meet/greet/registration (3 students/yr)
Suppliers' Day--registration/setup/takedown (3-4 students/yr)
Mailings--3 or 4 per year (12-15 students/yr)
Awards Night/Student seminar (4 students)
Travel Form: IFT-GLS Student Travel Application form is available here

Eligibility

Students must participate in at least 2 different activities to be eligible for travel funding. Available funds will be determined by the executive board and divided among eligible students. (Anticipate awards would range from $100-150). Students at Michigan State University, Central Michigan and Wayne State would have the opportunity to sign up for particular activities at the beginning of the school year.
Student Representative--Delegate additional responsibilities to the Student Representative, especially related to student activities outlined above. Student representative would work with exec board members (especially chair elect and secretary) to coordinate/facilitate/supervise/verify student participation in events. The Student Rep would assure that student volunteers meet responsibilities and commitments to the section or find suitable replacements as needed. Interested students "apply" for position--submit statement to exec board for consideration. (Student representative for 2001-2002 will continue on for 2002-2003). Compensation will be approximately $150-200 per year to be used for IFT travel.
"Webmaster"--This position requires a particular set of skills and an extended time commitment. Webmaster would work with exec board (especially secretary and chair elect) to assure web site contains all relevant material and is updated. Interested students "apply" for position--selected by exec board. Assignment would be by the semester or academic year. Webmaster will receive compensation for ongoing service to section (would waive 2 instances of service requirement). Stipend will be approximately $75 per semester ($150 per year) to be used for IFT travel.