Sources: Deborah Canter, 785-532-5521, canter@k-state.edu;
and Laura Romig, lromig@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Tyler Sharp, 785-532-2535, media@k-state.edu

Monday, September 27, 2010

DIETETICS STUDENT RECEIVES NATIONAL NUTRITION SCHOLARSHIP

MANHATTAN -- Laura Romig, a Kansas State University senior in dietetics, Leavenworth, has been awarded the Mead Johnson Nutrition Scholarship from the American Dietetic Association Foundation.

The scholarship is for $3,000. Mead Johnson Nutrition Scholarships are awarded for academic performance and extracurricular and professional involvement.

Romig currently serves as the chair of the American Dietetic Association's National Student Council Advisory Committee; she previously served as council vice chair. The council represents the interests of all dietetics students and interns. More than 20,000 students nationwide are enrolled in didactic programs, coordinated programs, dietetic internships and dietetic technician programs. In July 2010 Romig was appointed to the American Dietetic Association's Supervised Pathways Workgroup.

Romig attended the dietetic association's Leadership Institute in 2009 and 2010. The institute is limited to fewer than 300 of the association's more than 70,000 members across the country.

At K-State, Romig has been active in a number of organizations, including serving as president of the Student Dietetic Association. She is a member of K-State's chapter of Kappa Omicron Nu, an honor society for human ecology students, and Phi Upsilon Omicron, an honor society in family and consumer sciences. She also is involved with the College of Human Ecology College Council and serves as a Human Ecology Ambassador. Romig is a former president of Smurthwaite Scholarship/Leadership House. She has been active with Lafene Health Center's Sensible Nutrition and body image Choice, or SNAC, group; and was a member of Silver Key, K-State's sophomore honorary; and of Quest, K-State's freshman honorary.

Romig is currently completing her clinical dietetics supervised practice semester at the Robert J. Dole Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Wichita and will graduate in December.

She said she is honored to be the recipient of the Mead Johnson Nutrition Scholarship.

"I have been fortunate throughout college to be mentored by influential and visionary K-State faculty who have guided me as a young professional," she said. "This encouragement empowers me to pursue opportunities and leadership positions within the dietetics profession."

Deb Canter, professor of hospitality management and dietetics, says Romig is an outstanding representative of the K-State dietetics program.

"She is passionate about her chosen profession and has consistently demonstrated her leadership skills as president of the K-State Student Dietetic Association and in her current role as chair of the national Student Council of the American Dietetic Association," Canter said. "She is an exceptional young woman and our department is proud to claim her as one of our own."