Nutrition and Hospitality Management Celebrates Student Success

Department recognizes 23 students for academic excellence, leadership at honors reception

The UM Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management recognizes several outstanding students at an honors reception April 3 in Paris-Yatel Chapel. They include (first row, from left) Lily Sweet King, Laura Ann Kelley and Charlotte Smith; (second row) Timmi Bishop, Whitney Black, Randi Patterson, Marlee Frances Young and Jangwoo ‘JJ’ Jo; and (third row) Jamie Benefield, Ernest Vassar, Laura Ann Kelley, Katelyn Tarr and Kristen Key. Photo by Sarah Sapp/School of Applied Sciences

OXFORD, Miss. – The Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management in the University of Mississippi School of Applied Sciences recently honored 23 students enrolled in its programs of study at an honors reception.

Dean Peter Grandjean welcomed friends and family to the April 3 celebration of student accomplishments following a welcome from David Joung, assistant professor and chair of the scholarships and awards committee, and opening remarks from Yunhee Chang, interim department chair and graduate program coordinator.

Tanya Ruetzler, associate professor, honored five students who are new members to Kappa Omicron Nu National Honor Society for the Human Sciences. They are:

  • Sarah Bridges, Auburn, Alabama
  • Lauren Bitton, Murchison, Texas
  • Mathew Gray, Secunda, Mpumalanga, South Africa
  • Madison Woodruff, Corinth
  • Marlee Frances Young, Daphne, Alabama

Janie Cole, director of the coordinated program in dietetics, or CPD, recognized eight students for completing the 36 hours of graduate coursework, including 1,325 hours of supervised practice under the supervision of a licensed registered dietitian needed to graduate and sit for the R.D. exam. The program touts a 100 percent pass rate for the R.D. exam.

The UM Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management honors Hope Guthrie (first row, center), clinical nutrition manager at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi, as Outstanding Preceptor of the Year. After receiving their pins for completing the coordinated program in dietetics, students (first row, from left) Whitney Black, Michelle Weber, Megan Partacz and Shannon Boguth; and (second row) Tiffany Shirley, Timmi Bishop, Jamie Benefield and Selby Entrekin thank Guthrie for her dedication to the program. Photo by Sarah Sapp/School of Applied Sciences

The students recognized are:

  • Jamie Benefield, New Albany
  • Timmi Bishop, Mantachie
  • Whitney Black, Tremont
  • Shannon Boguth, Macomb, Michigan
  • Selby Entrekin , Madison
  • Megan Partacz, Buffalo, New York
  • Tiffany Shirley, Corinth
  • Michelle Weber, Cincinnati

Preceptors are practicing registered dietitians who supervise practice for CPD students. Cole recognized Hope Guthrie, of Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi as Outstanding Preceptor of the Year.

Emmy Parkes, director of didactic program in dietetics, and Mary Roseman, hospitality management undergraduate program coordinator, presented the following baccalaureate awards:

  • Outstanding Dietetics and Nutrition Student: Hillary Wofford, Eads, Texas
  • MS-AND Outstanding Dietetics Student-DP Nominee: Katelyn Tarr, Pawnee, Illinois
  • Outstanding Hospitality Management Student: Kristen Key, Plano, Texas

Chang and Cole presented the following graduate awards:

  • Outstanding Graduate Student: Jangwoo “JJ” Jo, Gwangmyeong, South Korea
  • Outstanding Coordinated Program Student: Jamie Benefield, New Albany
  • MS-AND Outstanding Dietetics Student-CP Nominees: Timmi Bishop, Mantachie and Whitney Black, Tremont

Chang presented the NHM Faculty Award to hospitality management student Randi Patterson, of Florence.

Teresa Carithers, associate dean of applied sciences, and Susan Tyler, NHM coordinator of advising, recruitment and retention, presented the Sydney E. Pucheu HM Scholarship on behalf of the Pucheu family to the following students:

  • Laura Ann Kelley, Madison
  • Lily Sweet King, Tallahassee, Florida
  • Charlotte Smith, Signal Mountain, Tennessee
  • Ernest Vassar, Abbeville
  • Marlee Frances Young, Daphne, Alabama

The School of Applied Sciences, home of the Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management, offers professional preparation programs that integrate academic study, clinical training, creative research, service-learning and community outreach, leading to the development of leaders whose professional endeavors will improve health and well-being.