Cynthia Pesek Vandeweghe

Honored by:John Pesek
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Pesek (Vandeweghe), Cynthia Anne is my oldest daughter with Isabel (Christensen) Pesek born on December 15, 1960. Like her mother, she is a bachelor of science and master of science alumna of Iowa State. She graduated with a double major in Food Technology and Agricultural Journalism and in the Agriculture Honors Program in 1983. In 1984 she earned the master's degree in Food Technology. She completed her doctorate in Food Science at the University of Minnesota-St. Paul in 1988. She then joined General Mills Inc. as a Research Food Scientist in the Betty Crocker Division and has advanced to Senior Research Food Scientist II.

At Iowa State, Cindy was a member and officer in both the Food Technology Club and Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow whom she represented on Agriculture Council at Iowa State where she also was president of the Food Technology Graduate Student Organization. At the University of Minnesota, she was a member and officer of the Food Science Club, graduate student representative to both the Food Science and Nutrition Faculty meetings, and the Graduate Student Quality Control Committee, and member of the departmental search committee for Head Food Science and Nutrition. She was a teaching assistant in food engineering, food enzymology, experimental foods and instructor in food chemistry laboratory. Cindy received numerous fellowships to help support her graduate studies, including National Science Foundation fellowship (a three-year award), Institute of Food Technologists' General Foods Graduate Fellowship (two years), Goke Estate Advanced Curriculum Scholarship, and the Miller Publishing Scholarship. She was awarded the Iowa Section Institute of Food Technologists' Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award while at Iowa State, and the Minnesota Section Institute of Food Technologists' Outstanding Graduate Student Award, and the President's Student Leadership Award at Minnesota.

As a professional, Cindy has continued to be an active member of the Institute of Food Technologists and the American Association of Cereal Chemists, holding office and being on committees. As a student she also was elected to the Phi Kappa Phi and Gamma Sigma Delta honoraria. Cynthia married Philippe Andre Francois Vandeweghe, also a food scientist on August 3, 1991, and has a daughter, Natalie Anne born January 9, 1995. They reside in Plymouth, Minnesota. She has demonstrated superior scholarship, leadership and creativity as a student and teacher and as a professional scientific employee. Colleagues, mentors and scientific supervisors alike have recognized her excellent qualities and she has responded with dedication, commitment, and service. Her performance reflects well on her Alma Mater and her family.

- John Pesek

Submitted on 4/95