Anna Molinski (SEBS’14), program coordinator for NJAES. Photo: Jennifer Simon.
Summer arrived this week and so did a new summer tradition for the staff of the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. On Thursday, June 23 the SEBS Staff Initiative held an ice cream social featuring homemade ice cream from the Department of Food Science. The tradition of ice cream has been part of the Department of Food Science for over 30 years, beginning with dairy science professor Dick H. Kleyn who started it in the 70’s. Back then, Kleyn taught an industrial ice cream course in January over a three week period and students have been making ice cream ever since.
These days, Karen Schaich, associate professor in the Department of Food Science, teaches the course on how to make ice cream. Students are taught the formulations and other aspects of home-based or industry-based ice cream production.
“The undergraduate Food Science Club makes the ice cream completely on its own,” says Schaich. “From deciding what flavors to make to buying the ingredients and making the confection, there is minimal faculty involvement.”
Laura Amador, administrative assistant in the departments of Food Science and Nutritional Sciences. Photo: Jennifer Simon.
Each year the ice cream is made in time to be sold at the annual Rutgers Day event. The proceeds collected from the sales have been used for special student events, community service projects—such as purchasing foods for Elijah Promise and holiday contribution programs—sponsoring student travel to conferences and various other trips.
“The Rutgers Day sales were great this year,” says Laura Amador, administrative assistant for both the Department of Food Science and the Department of Nutritional Sciences, “but there was a lot of left over ice cream and the undergraduate Food Science Club generously donated these pre-scooped cups to the SEBS Staff Scene for its ice cream social this year.”
The committee that organized the ice cream social charged $1per cup, which covered the cost of syrup, sprinkles, wet nuts and whipped cream. Profits from the event will be used towards other similar SEBS Staff Scene events.
“The rain held off, everyone liked the ice cream and enjoyed themselves – it was a huge success!”
Marsha Morin, senior administrative assistant in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources and Joyce Carlson, senior administrative assistant in the Office of the Executive Dean. Photo Jennifer Simon.
SEBS staff enjoying the SEBS Scene ice cream social. Photo Jennifer Simon.
