Daniel Azzara Selected as Outstanding Alumnus

C. Daniel Azzara of Annville, Pa., is one of six recipients of 2003 Outstanding Alumni Awards from Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. The award recognizes distinguished graduates of the college and promotes opportunities for interaction between selected alumni, students and faculty.

Azzara is vice president of research and development at Hershey Foods Corporation. Azzara began working for Hershey Foods as a senior staff scientist in 1986. In 1991, he was promoted to manager of ingredients research in Hershey's research group. He has since held several positions within the company prior to his current position including director of confectionery/reduced fat and calorie product development. "Dan's successful accomplishments in research, his fruitful career in industry, his valuable leadership and his outstanding record of service to the community and to our profession make him highly deserving of this award," says John Floros, head of the Penn State food science department.

Azzara is joint author of a patent for reduced fat confectionery products and process. He is an active member of the Institute of Food Technologists and Chocolate Manufacturers Association and serves on the boards of the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Confectioners' Association, the National Food Processors Association, and the International Life Sciences Institute. He is a board member of the Penn State Food Industry Group, and has served on the College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Society Board of Directors.

Azzara earned a bachelor's degree in science education from Virginia Tech in 1978, and master's and doctoral degrees in food science from Penn State in 1984 and 1986 respectively.

In conjunction with receiving the award, Azzara visited Penn State's University Park campus in October to meet with students, faculty, staff and administrators, and to receive his award at a reception honoring the 2003 Outstanding Alumni.

Source: Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, News, November 18, 2003