Lowering the Flag: Dr. Zenia Hawrysh

The University of Alberta banner is flying at half-mast from September 30 — October 2, 2020 in remembrance of Dr. Zenia Hawrysh.

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The University of Alberta banner is flying at half-mast from September 30 — October 2, 2020 in remembrance of Dr. Zenia Hawrysh, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science.

Dr. Zenia J. Hawrysh was an alumnus of the University of Alberta (B.Sc. 1960) and, after receiving her Ph.D. in Food Science from Michigan State University, returned to the University of Alberta as an Associate Professor in 1971. She spent her career within the Department of Food Science and Nutrition moving from Associate Professor to Professor and eventually serving as Chair of the Department from 1980–1993. When she retired in 1996 she had served the University for twenty-five years.

Over her distinguished career, Dr. Hawrysh’s research contributions were
extensive particularly in the areas of sensory and objective evaluations of food quality. Her research benefited the wider community through workshops on topics ranging from diet therapy to the nutritional needs of the elderly.

Dr. Hawrysh was a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University as well as the Major Body of Research Accomplishments Award from the Canadian Home Economics Association. In 1993 the Premier’s Council on Science and Technology identified her as a female leader in the scientific community.

A proud Ukrainian, Dr. Hawrysh worked with faculty from multiple departments as well as prominent Edmontonians to initiate the University’s first Malanka celebration (Ukrainian New Year) in 1973. The Faculty Club hosted the event for the next twenty years.

Dr. Hawrysh not only provided dedicated service to the University but also
philanthropic support through the Zenia Hawrysh Prize in Food Science as well as ongoing patronage of the University of Alberta Hospital Foundation.