John Ziegler Selected as 2007 DAS Animal Science Distinguished Alumnus

John H. Ziegler, Jr., professor emeritus of food science, was named the 2007 Penn State DAS Animal Science Distinguished Alumnus. Ziegler served as a faculty member of Animal Science for 21 years and of Food Science for 12 years before his retirement in 1987.

He will be honored during Little I/Dairy Expo weekend, April 20 and 21. On Friday, April 20, he will meet with faculty and staff, and be honored at a 2:30 p.m. reception where he will receive his award. Dr. Ziegler also will be recognized at the Stockmen's Club banquet on the evening of April 20, and at Little I on Saturday, April 21.

Dr. Terry Etherton, head of the Department of Dairy and Animal Science said, "John has provided decades of service to the Department, first as a faculty member, and since his retirement as a dedicated and tireless promoter and organizer. His efforts touch the Department and the College in ways large and small, and his leadership has provided lasting benefits, setting a remarkable example of selfless service.”

Etherton added that Ziegler's dedication, leadership and energy combined to make a lasting contribution to the College touching alumni, students, and future generations.

Ziegler received an Associate Degree in Agriculture from The Potomac State School of West Virginia University, studying under the GI bill. He then received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from The Pennsylvania State College, in 1950 and 1952, in a major that became Animal Science. In 1965 he earned his Ph.D. in Animal Industry. He became full professor in 1976.

He was instrumental in helping to create a formal food science program which subsequently became the Food Science department in 1975. Most of his faculty efforts were devoted to meat science programs.

A lifetime member of the Penn State Alumni Association, Ziegler was instrumental in creating the College of Agriculture Alumni Society (CAAS) in 1967. He also organized the Animal Husbandry Alumni Association in 1964, which became the Penn State Stockmen's Club (PSSC). He represented PSSC on the CAAS board from 1989-1997, and was honored with the 1974 PSSC Booster Award. He compiled and edited a history of PSSC, and he was the Little International dedicatee in 1972.

First elected to serve on the CAAS Board from 1997-2003, Ziegler encouraged and helped organize the first spring graduation luncheon in 1985, a tradition that has been enjoyed and welcomed by graduating seniors and their families since then. He can also be credited with organizing the first fall football game tailgate in 1984, another event which has become a highlight of football season and an outstanding opportunity for ag alumni to gather.

Ziegler served as a member of the Alumni Council from 1994-2000, and he received the Charles Lupton Volunteer Award in 1999. He is a board member and past president of the Penn State Retired Faculty/Staff Club.

An ardent supporter of the Pasto Agricultural Museum, he was recognized by them with the Volunteer Recognition Award in 2003 for his longtime leadership and dedicated service.

A member of the American Meat Science Association, he received their Signal Service Award in 1988. He has also been a member of the American Society of Animal Science, the Institute of Food Technologists and the Pennsylvania Livestock Association.

His contributions go far beyond the college community and extend to the larger community, where is past board member and president of the Clear Water Conservancy, vice-president of the Centre County Historical Society, committeeman and judge of elections in his College Township political precinct. He spent eleven years in College Township on the zoning hearing board and as a councilman, during the time in which the Nittany and Hills malls were built, and there were many building projects which added to the quality of the township.

John and his wife Dorothy Jane Shockey Ziegler, are the parents of three sons, Stephen John, Gregory Ray and Timothy Martine, all of whom are married. They have six grandchildren.