College Names Outstanding Alumni in 1999

Dean B. Girton is president of Girton Manufacturing Company, Inc. After earning his bachelor's degree in dairy science from Penn State in 1960, Girton joined his family's business, which is an internationally recognized manufacturer of dairy and food processing equipment. He has served the International Association of Food Industry Supply as president, chairman of the board, and a member of 14 committees. Girton has filled leadership roles in many Penn State organizations, including the Penn State Food Industry Group, the College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Society, the Penn State Ag Council, and the Dairy Stakeholders. In addition, he is active in the community, serving on many local government, business, civic, and educational boards.

Stuart Patton is adjunct professor in both the Department of Neurosciences at University of California-San Diego and in the foods and nutrition program at San Diego State University. Patton is known internationally for his research and teaching in the fields of milk chemistry and the biological processes that regulate milk synthesis in the mammary gland. He received his bachelor's degree in dairy husbandry from Penn State in 1943 and went on to earn his master's and doctorate from Ohio State University. In 1949, he joined the dairy science faculty at Penn State, and in 1966 became the College's first - and to date only - Evan Pugh Professor of Agriculture. Since retiring from Penn State in 1980, he has continued to publish actively in the scientific literature. Patton holds membership in numerous professional societies and has received several prestigious awards during his distinguished career.

(Alumni/FIG Newsletter, 1999)