Dr. John Rushing, professor and Department Extension Leader for the Food Science Department, has been honored with the creation of the John Rushing Southeastern Food Processors Association Endowed Scholarship in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. At an April ceremony and reception, the SFPA established the endowment to recognize Rushing’s ongoing role in helping the university address and understand the ever-changing issues faced by the state’s food processors and manufacturers, as well as his consistent efforts in providing the dairy and food-processing industries with the latest research-based information.

“ This is a unique occasion, one with clients creating an endowment to recognize an individual who has worked with them,” said Dr. Joe Zublena, associate director of the Cooperative Extension Service, who presided at the event. The occasion was equally unique in that the endowment was not created as a retirement celebration but to recognize Rushing, whose work continues. In fact, Marion Swink, SFPA president, hastened to emphasize to Rushing, “This is not a retirement gift; we expect you to stay with us a long time. We as an association appreciate all the time and leadership you have given us.”

The endowment will be used to provide merit-based scholarships to undergraduate students enrolled in the Department of Food Science at N.C. State. Said Swink, “With this gift we want to help train students at this university to enter our field and bring their abilities to continue our business.”

Donn Ward, acting head of Food Science, described Rushing as “one of the most caring, giving and compassionate individuals I know. He always can be found helping businesses and individuals in need. The SFPA honors the Department of Food Science by honoring John Rushing, and you also honor our students. For that I thank you. But also by honoring a man of John’s caliber, the SFPA honors itself. For that I congratulate you.”

Rushing thanked the SFPA for establishing the scholarship endowment, saying, “The focus on students and interns by this organization is to be congratulated, because you are investing in your future.”

— Terri Leith