About the OSU Food Science Harris Award

A Celebration of Excellence

This award is given annually to recognize excellence in and contributions to the discipline of food science. There are no geographic, employment, or membership restrictions of any kind for this high stature accolade. The selection committee seeks to recognize the accomplishments of an outstanding individual who made substantial contributions to the advancement of food science or technology. Ohio State food science faculty or their designees serve as selectors.

The purpose of the award is to celebrate excellence in food science, food technology or related disciplines. The award consists of an $3,000 honorarium plus all travel expenses to interact with the faculty, staff and students of Ohio State. The annual Harris Award Celebration will highlight an address by the winner on the Columbus Ohio campus at a time most convenient for the awardee.

The award endowment was established in 2003. Recipients of the Distinguished OSU Food Science Harris Award are:  Professor Steven Taylor of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (2004) and Professor James Jay of the University of Las Vegas (2005) And Professor Daryl B. Lund, University of Wisconsin (2006).  The nomination deadline is May 1 of each year.

The Symbols of Achievement

The Harris Distinguished Food Scientist Award features an engraved plaque on the Wall of Fame in the Parker Food Science Building, 2015 Fyffe Road, Columbus, OH. A generous honorarium from the Harris Endowment is accompanied by the Bayre Turkish Horse pictured here. This sculpture from the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art is reproduced from a bronze statuette cast by Romantic sculptor Antoine- Louis Barye (French, 1796–1875) before 1848, now in the Museum's collection. The primal energy of the animal world was one of the favorite subjects of Romantic artists, who believed the unrestrained and unfettered actions of animals were the embodiments of instinct, as opposed to reason.

About the Benefactor

Ronald D. Harris is an Adjunct Professor in the Food Science and Technology Department at The Ohio State University. He brings his unique experience as former Executive Vice President of Research & Development at Nabisco, where he lead the entire R&D effort of this leading food company. While Vice President of Technology at Kraft Foods Inc., he developed strategic plans for technology and implemented quality management strategies. Prior experience at Anderson Clayton Foods, Clorox, and Procter & Gamble helped make Ron Harris a leader of the food industry. Ron earned his B.Ch.E. and M.Sc. in OSU Chemical engineering and MBA at U of Cincinnati. His generous gifts to OSU makes possible this annual Distinguished Food Scientist Award. His stated purpose is to help raise the stature of the department and of the discipline.

Endowment Description

The Harris award endowment was established February 6, 2004, by Mr. Harris through The Ohio State University Foundation. Up to eighty percent of income supports the annual Ronald D. Harris Honorary Lectureship by a distinguished research scientist or engineer from outside of the University. If more than one lecture is presented, at least one should be scientific or technical in nature. Remaining income supports research and activities that serve the purpose of this fund. Unused income is reinvested to principal.