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Dietetics program marks 25 years
Dr. James H. Ryan, vice president emeritus for Outreach and Cooperative Extension, participates in the 25th anniversary celebration for the Dietetic Technician Program with Betty Lou Howard Grogg (center), the program’s first graduate, and Ellen Barbrow, director of the program. Photo by College of Health and Human Development	The Dietetic Technician Program celebrated its 25th anniversary in May. Faculty, students, alumni and other distinguished guests gathered at Café Laura to celebrate the milestone.   The program, currently offered through the Penn State World Campus, was the first distance education degree program ever offered by the University. To date, 180 students have obtained their associate degree through the program; 90 percent of whom have obtained their Dietetic Technician Registered credential from the American Dietetic Association.   “What is special about the program is that it has made a difference in students’ lives,” Dr. Sara C. Parks said. She is director of the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Recreation Management and one of the people responsible for the creation of the program. “They feel more self-confident, and they did not have to quit their jobs or leave their families to come to Penn State.”   During the celebration, many speakers praised the dedication of School of Hotel, Restaurant and Recreation Management and College of Health and Human Development faculty and staff members who developed the program and continue to support it. Among the speakers were Ellen Barbrow, assistant professor of hotel, restaurant and recreation management and director of the Dietetic Technician Program; Dr. Raymond T. Coward, dean of the College of Health and Human Development; Dr. Fred Vondracek, associate dean for Undergraduate Studies and Outreach, College of Health and Human Development; and Betty Lou Howard Grogg, the program’s first graduate.