FAPC faculty member wins international award

Members of the agricultural honor society recognized Stanley Gilliland, FAPC food microbiologist, during OSU’s fall faculty meeting.

“It’s always nice to be recognized among your peers,” Gilliland said. “To be recognized as outstanding in the field of agriculture is a great honor.”

Gilliland received the award for his significant contributions to agriculture, including his continuing research exploring lactic acid bacteria uses in the food industry.

“To have one of our employees recognized as outstanding among their peers is an honor for all of us here at the FAPC,” said J. Roy Escoubas, FAPC director. “It is because of our quality workforce that we are able to serve Oklahoma businesses and entrepreneurs so well.”

The OSU Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta nominated Gilliland for the prestigious award.

According to the nomination letter, “Dr. Gilliland exemplifies all of the qualities such an honor should represent and would be an exemplary honoree for Gamma Sigma Delta. He would represent this award with the academic excellence, record of accomplishment, productivity, leadership, national/international reputation and dignity the organization desires and would uphold the rich tradition, honor and high standards established by previous honorees.”

Gilliland received both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Oklahoma State University in dairy manufacturing, before going to North Carolina State University to earn his doctorate degree in food science.

An OSU Regents professor and Sitlington Endowed Chair, Gilliland currently teaches both upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in addition to serving as coordinator of the food science graduate program.

In recent years, intellectual property developed by Gilliland has earned more royalty than any other on the OSU campus. He has used this money to fund graduate student assistantships and purchase laboratory equipment for his research program and colleagues.

“Outstanding graduate students are the backbone of university research programs,” Gilliland said.

Because of his expertise in the areas lactobacilli and probiotics, Gilliland has traveled to seven countries outside of the United States to present lectures and symposia papers, including a presentation to the World Health Organization.

“Stanley Gilliland is an essential contributor to our research efforts here at the FAPC,” Escoubas said. “His involvement in multiple research projects demonstrates the strength of his research capabilities and the value of his research laboratory to the FAPC, the department of animal science and the OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.”

Formed in 1905, Gamma Sigma Delta is an agricultural society devoted to carrying out the following objectives: “the advancement of agriculture in all its phases, the maintenance and improvement of the relations of agriculture and related sciences to other industries, and the recognition of the responsibilities of those engaged in all aspects of agriculture to humankind.” More information about Gamma Sigma Delta can be found at http://www.gammasigmadelta.org on the Internet.

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REPORTER/MEDIA CONTACT:
Mandy Gross
Manager, Communications Services
Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center
144 FAPC
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-0442
E-Mail: mandy.gross@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University, U. S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local governments cooperating.  Oklahoma State University in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures, and is an equal opportunity employer.