Summer 2025
From the Interim Department Head
Hello from the Department of Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health. My name is Brian Lindshield, I am a Professor who has had the privilege of serving as interim department head this last year.
I’m a Lindsborg, Kansas native who earned my BS in Nutritional Sciences from what was then the Department of Human Nutrition in 2003. After earning my PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2008, I started as an Assistant Professor at my alma mater that same year. Below you can see a picture from May 2003 commencement with my closest friends from my time here (all MDs now), we all attended the Oklahoma State football game this fall.
 Left to Right: Aaron Plattner, Brian Lindshield, Josh Umbehr, Sara Bonnes, Richard Baybutt, Denis Medeiros |
 Left to Right: Sara Bonnes, Brian Lindshield, Aaron Plattner, Josh Umbehr in front of Justin Hall |
College Reorganization
This is a time of evolution for the department for a variety of reasons. The major reason why is that the college is reorganizing into 3 schools (Consumer Sciences, Health Sciences, and Human Sciences as described in the College’s Fall Newsletter), meaning that all the programs in the department, except for sensory analysis, are going to join the School of Health Sciences July 1st.
We have worked this year to develop a Dietetics Certificate that can allow students who have already earned a BS degree to earn a verification statement. Implementation is being worked on for Spring of 2026. Sydney Cochran has been hired as new DPD director and an instructor. The long-term vision for Sydney is to earn her PhD and replace Linda Yarrow when she retires in teaching clinical nutrition.
The Sensory Analysis Program operates at the Olathe campus. As part of the recent college reorganization, the program is transitioning to the School of Consumer Sciences, where it will join related programs such as Hospitality Management, Fashion Design, and Personal Financial Planning.
Research and Awards
Valentina has won a few awards this year. She was one of twenty faculty that received the Roots of Research Award and had a tree planted outside Justin Hall in her honor.
She was one of eleven that receive the outstanding faculty scholar designation this spring. She also was one of two faculty member to receive the Outstanding Graduate Faculty Mentor Award. Phil Vardiman along with a couple of colleagues received an Exploratory Research Award from the college. Kelly Whitehair received the Dawley-Scholer Award for Faculty Excellence in Student Development.
Open House
Open house was a tremendous success. Athletic Training had participants trying to make putts with concussion goggles on. Sensory Sciences had an "identify the aroma" challenge. Food and Nutrition/Dietetics had a Veggiemeter to measure the carotenoid content in skin, a biomarker of fruit and vegetable intake.
Guatemala
Guatemala Service-Learning Program has sent its next group of students to the country for the summer. More work to align it to the University’s Applied Learning focus is ongoing.
Student weighing a baby in Guatemala
Justin 115 Renovation
Justin 115 is the lab where many students have completed Science of Food labs and other experiences in its kitchenettes. It has been recently renovated and is a much nicer space for students to utilize as you can see in the pictures below.
 Before |
 After |
 Updated classroom space |
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Final Department Commencement Activities
A campus tour is offered for online students who have not been to campus before.
 Campus tour |
 Reception in Hoffman Lounge |
At the end of the reception Linda Yarrow leads a conga line dance to the song September, teaches the group how to do the Hustle, shows them how to sway to the alma mater, and how to Wabash, and make the Wildcat hand sign.