Phi Tau Sigma (ΦΤΣ) is an international honor society for food science and technology. It was founded in 1953 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Phi Tau Sigma
ΦΤΣ
Founded1953; 71 years ago (1953)
University of Massachusetts Amherst
TypeHonor society
AffiliationIndependent
StatusActive
EmphasisFood sciences
ScopeInternational
Motto"Devotion to the Study of Foods".
Colors  Gold and   Maroon
PublicationThe Newsletter
Chapters41
Members1,185 lifetime
Headquartersc/o Kantha Shelke, PhD
33 West Ontario, Suite 57F

Chicago, Illinois 60654
United States
Websitephitausigma.org

History

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The organization was founded in 1953 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst by Dr. Gideon E. (Guy) Livingston, a food technology professor. It was incorporated under the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts December 8, 1953, as Phi Tau Sigma Honorary Society, Inc.

Besides Livingston, the charter members of the honor society were M. P. Baldorf, Robert V. Decareau, E. Felicotti, W. D. Powrie, M. A. Steinberg, and D. E. Westcott.

Phi Tau Sigma recognizes and honors the achievements of Food Scientists and Technologists, encourages the sharing of scientific knowledge, creates a network of professionals, and promotes charitable and educational programs.

In 2013, Phi Tau Sigma, for the first time, garnered the support and cooperation of the Council of Food Science Administrators. Phi Tau Sigma has 1185 members.

Symbols

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The Greek letters ΦΤΣ represent the Greek words for "Devotion to the Study of Foods".

  • ΦΙΛΕΙΝ: Love or devotion
  • ΤΡΟΦΗΣ: Food
  • ΣΠΟΥΔΗΝ: Study

The society's colors are gold and maroon. its publication is The Newsletter.

Activities

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Phi Tau Sigma shares professional information through meetings, lectures, and publications.

Since 1984, the society has presented the Carl R. Fellers Award for service to the field of food science and technology. It also holds the annual ΦΤΣ Graduate Paper Competition and the Student Competition

The Phi Tau Sigma Student Achievement Scholarship is given to members for exceptional scholastic achievement and dedication to Phi Tau Sigma. Up to three awards may be made in a year. The Dr. Daryl B. Lund International Scholarship is given to a member to supplement international travel for educational purposes. The Dr. Gideon “Guy” Livingston Scholarship acknowledges a member's scholastic achievements and dedication to Phi Tau Sigma. The Phi Tau Sigma Founders’ Scholarship is given to a member whose graduate research has had or is expected to have, a significant impact.

Membership

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Members are elected as undergraduates, graduate students, or after graduation in recognition of their achievements and to facilitate their active participation in Phi Tau Sigma and the profession of food science and technology. Potential student members must have a Grade Point Average (GPA) equal to or greater than 3.5, or equivalent and must be pursuing a degree in food science of the equivalent.

Potential professional members should have a minimum of five years of work experience in food science and technology beyond a B.S. degree, four years beyond an M.S. degree, or 2 years beyond a PhD degree in industry, government, or an academic institution.

Chapters

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Following is a list of Phi Tau Sigma chapters.[1]

Chapter Charter date Institution Location Status References
1953 University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, Massachusetts Active [2]
1954 Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan
1955 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts
1955 Rutgers University–New Brunswick New Brunswick, New Jersey [3]
1956 University of Georgia Athens, Georgia Active [4]
1956 University of Wisconsin–Madison Madison, Wisconsin
1957 Cornell University Ithaca, New York
1960 University of California, Davis Davis, California
Buckeye 1964 Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio Active [5]
1964 Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia Active [6]
Hoosier 1966 Purdue University West Lafayette, Indiana Active [7]
1968 Columbia University New York City, New York
1968 Pennsylvania State University State College, Pennsylvania Active [8]
1968 Texas A&M University College Station, Texas
1969 Mississippi State University Mississippi State, Mississippi
1973 Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, Louisiana
1974 Mexico Mexico
1975 New York University New York City, New York
1976 Iowa State University Ames, Iowa Active [9]
1977 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Arkansas Active [10]
1977 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska Active
1977 University of Rhode Island Kingston, Rhode Island
1977 University of Tennessee Knoxville, Tennessee
1981 University of Minnesota Saint Paul, Minnesota Active [11]
1983 Alabama A&M University Normal, Alabama
1985 Kansas State University Manhattan, Kansas
1992 North Carolina State University Raleigh, North Carolina Active
1993 University of Missouri Columbia, Missouri
1994 University of Maine Orono, Maine
1997 California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Pomona, California Active [12]
Intermountain 1997 University of Idaho Moscow, Idaho
2003 University of Florida Gainesville, Florida
2003 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Urbana, Illinois
2003 University of Puerto Rico Puerto Rico
2006 Texas Woman's University Denton, Texas
2010 Chapman University Orange, California
2010 Shanghai Ocean University Shanghai, China
2010 Wayne State University Detroit, Michigan
2011 Clemson University Clemson, South Carolina

Governance

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Phi Tau Sigma is a body with its own elected officers and is separate from the scientific professional organization, the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). Over the years its relationship with IFT has varied, but currently, it has a mutual and respectful partnership with IFT in the following areas:

It has an Executive Committee made up of the president, president-elect, past president, treasurer, executive secretary, six at-large councilors (directors), and six alternate at-large councilors. It also has a Leadership Council (formerly known as Advisory Council) consisting of representatives of chapters.

Notable members

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Chapters". Phi Tau Sigma. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  2. ^ "Phi Tau Sigma: The Honor Society for Food Science & Technology". Senior Class Graduation Products. 2020-10-26. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  3. ^ "Phi Tau Sigma-President's Letter,, 1973, July | Archives and Special Collections at Rutgers". Rutgers University New Brunswick. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  4. ^ "Clubs and Organizations - Undergraduate | Food Science & Technology". University of Georgia. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  5. ^ "Phi Tau Sigma - Buckeye Chapter: Find a Student Organization: Student Activities". Ohio State University. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  6. ^ "Ph Tau Sigma". Virginia Tech. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  7. ^ "Phi Tau Sigma – Hoosier Chapter at Purdue University – 2019-2020 Activities" (PDF). Purdue University. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  8. ^ "Phi Tau Sigma (Students)". Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  9. ^ "Phi Tau Sigma | Student Organization Database". Iowa State University. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  10. ^ Lovett, John (July 25, 2024). "Phi Tau Sigma honors Ubeyitogullari with Early Career Accomplishment Award". Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  11. ^ "Phi Tau Sigma: The Honor Society of Food Science and Technology | Food Science and Nutrition". University of Minnesota. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  12. ^ "Phi Tau Sigma Honor Society". Cal Poly Pomona. Retrieved 2024-08-15.