Food Industry Networking Night - Spring 2015

Chapman University’s Food Science Graduate Program hosted its 4^th Annual Food Industry Networking night on April 1, 2015.  This year’s event, co-hosted by first year students Emma Gottschall and Alex Hoang, saw over 110 food industry professionals, alumni and current students exchange ideas, reconnect with professors and colleagues, and, of course swap business cards!  Year after year, this event proves to be a great opportunity to discover industry trends and hiring needs, as well as to celebrate the talented MS and MS/ MBA food scientists studying here at Chapman University.  

This year, we welcomed alumna Iris Galanis Eshoo (M.S. ’97), Vice President of Food Safety and Quality Assurance at See's Candy, and Rob Neenan, President of the California League of Food Processors (CLFP) as our Keynote Speakers. Graduate student Tushar Sawant mentioned, “The networking night at Chapman helped me gain valuable insights and helped me connect with important people within the food industry.” Another graduate student, Adam Perestam, stated “Networking night was an invaluable experience that provided the unique chance to meet a wide range of industry professionals to discuss career opportunities, something that couldn’t be replicated anywhere else.” Overall, our students left the event feeling they had gained something valuable for their futures.

See below for snapshots of the night:

Rob Neenan spoke about the status of the California food industry.

 Iris Galanis Eshoo shared her career experiences and imparted professional advice to attendees.

A glimpse of the bustling interactions among students, alumni, and professionals alike.

Many alumni and faculty were able to reconnect after months and years of not seeing one another!

The Food Science program was started 36 years ago to meet the demand of the significant growth of the food industry in southern California. The program quickly gained a reputation for well qualified food scientists. Program Chair, Dr. Anuradha Prakash stated that “Chapman continues to maintain a reputation of excellence where companies remain confident to hire Chapman graduates.”  The turnout of companies represented at the Food Industry Networking Night is a testimony to the high quality of our program and the talent of our students. Thank you to everyone who made the event a success!

Until the next networking night!

-Alex Hoang and Emma Gottschall