Phi Tau Sigma () is an international honor society for food science and technology. It was founded in 1953 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
History The organization was founded in 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 , 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 The Greek letters 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
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
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 Following is a list of Phi Tau Sigma chapters.
ChapterCharter dateInstitutionLocationStatus1953University of Massachusetts AmherstAmherst, MassachusettsActive1954Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MichiganInactive1955Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MassachusettsInactive1955Rutgers University–New BrunswickNew Brunswick, New JerseyInactive1956University of GeorgiaAthens, GeorgiaActive1956University of Wisconsin–MadisonMadison, WisconsinInactive1957Cornell UniversityIthaca, New YorkInactive1960University of California, DavisDavis, CaliforniaInactiveBuckeye1964Ohio State UniversityColumbus, OhioActive1964Virginia TechBlacksburg, VirginiaActiveHoosier1966Purdue University West Lafayette, IndianaActive1968Columbia UniversityNew York City, New YorkInactive1968Pennsylvania State UniversityState College, PennsylvaniaActive1968Texas A&M UniversityCollege Station, TexasInactive1969Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State, MississippiInactive1973Louisiana State UniversityBaton Rouge, LouisianaInactive1974MexicoMexicoInactive1975New York UniversityNew York City, New YorkInactive1976Iowa State UniversityAmes, IowaActive1977University of ArkansasFayetteville, ArkansasActive1977University of Nebraska–LincolnLincoln, NebraskaActive1977University of Rhode IslandKingston, Rhode IslandInactive1977University of TennesseeKnoxville, TennesseeInactive1981University of MinnesotaSaint Paul, MinnesotaActive1983Alabama A&M UniversityNormal, AlabamaInactive1985Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KansasInactive1992North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh, North CarolinaActive1993University of MissouriColumbia, MissouriInactive1994University of MaineOrono, MaineInactive1997California State Polytechnic University, PomonaPomona, CaliforniaActiveIntermountain1997University of IdahoMoscow, IdahoInactive2003University of FloridaGainesville, FloridaInactive2003University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUrbana, IllinoisInactive2003University of Puerto RicoPuerto RicoInactive2006Texas Woman's UniversityDenton, TexasInactive2010Chapman UniversityOrange, CaliforniaInactive2010Shanghai Ocean UniversityShanghai, ChinaInactive2010Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MichiganInactive2011Clemson UniversityClemson, South CarolinaInactive
Governance 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
Rodolphe Barrangou, probiotics researcher Robert V. Decareau, food scientist who was involved in the development of microwave applications in food technology Carl R. Fellers, food scientist and microbiologist Lois Graham, mechanical engineer Gideon Livingston, food scientist and founder of Phi Tau Sigma John J. Powers, food scientist who was involved in the creation of the Food Science Department at University of Georgia Samuel Cate Prescott, food scientist and microbiologist
References
Francis, F. J. (1993). Seventy-Five Years of Food Science (1918-1993) at the University of Massachusetts. Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Amherst Department of Food Science. Phi Tau Sigma Website Schmidl, M. K. (November 1, 2013). "Phi Tau Sigma Honor Society". Food Technology