Shugart Lecture Series
The annual Shugart Lecture Series brings dietitians and food service and hospitality experts to Kansas State University for the enrichment of student curricula and to provide continuing education for practitioners in the field.
Established in 1975, the lecture series honors the late Grace M. Shugart, former department head in the College of Health and Human Sciences and co-author of Food for Fifty and Food Service in Institutions.
Shugart helped build the profession of dietetics and institutional management throughout the United States, serving as president of the American Dietetic Association. She also was a Medallion Award winner and received the Marjorie Hulsizer Copher Award, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' highest honor.
This year's Shugart Lecture will be held April 19, 2023 at 4:00pm in 1088 Business.
2023 Shugart Lecture: Susan Finn, PhD, RDN, FAND
Co-presenters include:
Andie Lee Gonzalez, PhD, MPH, RDN, LD, FAND
Pediatric Medical Science Liaison for Abbott Nutrition, Former Academy Spokesperson
Mary Beth Whalen
Chief Operating Office of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics & Executive Director of the Academy’s Foundation
Susan Finn, CEO of the global consultancy Finn & Associates, is a recognized leader and a respected communicator in the food, nutrition and health arena. As a top-level advisor to professional societies, educational institutions and industry, Dr. Finn evaluates, interprets and brings context to nutrition research and its implications.
In 2014, then Speaker of the House John Boehner appointed Dr. Finn to the National Commission on Hunger, which assessed the hunger crisis in this country and recommended how government along with private and public partners can respond. Over the past several years, she has focused on strengthening the authority of registered dietitians as the profession moves into its second century; effectively communicating food/nutrition science; and exploring the intersection of food, nutrition, agriculture and sustainability.
Dr. Finn also serves on the board of the Royal Academy of Science International Trust and participated in the trust’s inaugural World Women Health and Development Forum at the United Nations. As a result of this initiative, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a groundbreaking resolution to establish an annual International Day of Women in Girls in Science.
A past president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a past chair of its foundation, Dr. Finn remains deeply involved in championing dietetics professionals as nutrition authorities. As co-chair of the Academy’s Second Century Initiative, she is intimately involved in shaping the organization’s future direction.
Prior to launching F&A in 2003, Dr. Finn worked for nearly 30 years for Ross Products Division of Abbott Laboratories (now Abbott Nutrition). While with Ross, Dr. Finn advocated for inclusion of nutrition screening and support as integral elements of health care and was the chief architect behind multifaceted campaigns to advance nutrition support, particularly for women, the elderly and those with diseases placing them at nutritional risk
Dr. Finn has been honored for her leadership in health and nutrition. President George W. Bush appointed her to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. In 2014, then Speaker of the House John Boehner appointed Dr. Finn to the National Commission on Hunger, which assessed the hunger crisis in this country and recommended how government along with private and public partners can respond. She has received the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Medallion Award, has presented the Academy’s prestigious Lenna Frances Cooper Lecture and has received the Marjorie Hulsizer Copher Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Academy.
Both The Ohio State University and Bowling Green State University also have honored Dr. Finn. In 1988, the OSU College of Human Ecology gave her its Distinguished Alumni award. Bowling Green named her an Outstanding Alumni in 1992, and on the occasion of its 100th anniversary, the university recognized her as one of their top 100 graduates. Dr. Finn delivered Bowling Green’s Spring 2015 commencement address.
Dr. Finn is widely published in professional journals and consumer magazines. She is co-author of two books: The Real Life Nutrition Book/Making the Right Food Choices Without Changing Your Lifestyle published by Penguin Books and The American Dietetic Association’s Guide to Women’s Nutrition for Healthy Living published by Perigee. Her new book, Nutrition Authority: Perspectives on Opportunity, is scheduled for release 2021.
After graduating with a bachelor of science degree in education from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, Dr. Finn went on to earn a master of science degree in public health nutrition at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and a PhD in nutrition science from The Ohio State University. Both Ohio State and Bowling Green have honored her with a Distinguished Alumni award.