By Melanie Jackson, FAPC Communications Assistant

(Stillwater, Okla. – May 2, 2017) An Oklahoma State University Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center faculty member was recognized as the 2017 recipient of Michigan State University’s Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering Distinguished Alumni award.

Dani Bellmer, FAPC food process engineer and biosystems and agricultural engineering professor, received the award from her alma mater during the BAE Showcase on April 27 in East Lansing, Michigan. This award recognizes an alumnus who has worked in a BAE profession for more than 10 years and has contributed significantly to the industry.

“I am truly humbled to be chosen as the BAE Distinguished Alumni Award winner,” Bellmer said. “It’s an honor to be recognized. I am proud to be an MSU alumna.”

Bellmer’s career in food process engineering had a unique start.

“I still remember the person who told me about food engineering at Michigan State,” she said. “As a freshman, I came in not knowing what I wanted to study in engineering, and someone on my dorm floor told me about food engineering. I fell in love with it, and I’ve been in love with it ever since.”

Bellmer received a bachelor’s degree in food engineering at Michigan State University, followed by a Ph.D. in agricultural and biological engineering from Purdue University. After teaching at Delaware Valley College for one year, she joined the FAPC team in June 1997.

From formulating a trout and catfish bait to developing P.B. Slices, Bellmer has assisted with a variety of projects while working at FAPC.

“Dani is a great asset to FAPC, and we are extremely proud of her accomplishments,” said Roy Escoubas, FAPC director. “It is always exciting to see our staff recognized for their outstanding work. We look forward to seeing what else Dani accomplishes in the years to come.”

FAPC, a part of OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, is celebrating its 20-year anniversary in 2017. Since its inception in January 1997, the center’s research laboratories, pilot-processing facilities, educational programs and seminars have kept food and agricultural processors and entrepreneurs on the forefront of cutting-edge value-added processing and technology.

“I honestly cannot believe it has been 20 years already; it’s been a wonderful 20 years,” Bellmer said. “It’s been fun, it’s gone by fast, and I am really excited about our 20-year celebration. But, I’m even more excited for what’s to come. I think we’re going to do many great things in the future.”

For more information about Bellmer and her 20-year career at FAPC, view the Faces of FAPC video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGOizGpZmx4&feature=youtu.be.

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Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant university that prepares students for success. OSU has more than 36,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 25,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and around 120 nations. Established in 1890, Oklahoma State has graduated more than 260,000 students who have been serving Oklahoma and the world for 125 years.