New name reflects scope and expertise of food, nutrition, dietetics and health department
Monday, Jan. 11, 2016
MANHATTAN — The new food, nutrition, dietetics and health department in Kansas State University's College of Human Ecology integrates the former nutrition department and the university's renowned dietetics program.
The Kansas Board of Regents approved the new department name in December 2015.
The name better reflects the scope and expertise of the department, said John Buckwalter, dean of the College of Human Ecology. Its programs are nutritional sciences, which includes pre-medicine and pre-dentistry; nutrition and health; dietetics; sensory analysis; and athletic training.
"A specific mission of the college is to promote health and well-being through our teaching and research," Buckwalter said. "The new department, which epitomizes these core values, will strengthen educational experiences for our students and will reinforce research and scholarship among our faculty."
The department's faculty members are nationally and internationally known for their research in childhood obesity, global hunger, food safety, food service management, sensory analysis and consumer behavior, and lifestyle interventions on various health issues.
The name change also benefits students, according to Mark Haub, the department head.
"We will be able to offer improved research and study abroad opportunities for students and provide them with a deeper understanding in the broader areas of food and health," Haub said. "We want to provide the best possible learning environment to students seeking to better understand ways to prevent physical injuries and food-related diseases, and enhance food and consumer goods to meet market demands."
The dietetics program, which offers both on-campus and distance courses for bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, was formerly with the hospitality management and dietetics department, now the hospitality management department.
