Created in 1961, this award honors the zeal and unselfish industry of an individual member, emphasizing the importance of their contributions to the work of the association. This year’s Geddes Memorial Award was presented to Debi Rogers who obtained her B.S. degree in bakery science and management and her M.B.A. from Kansas State University (KSU) prior to working with and completing her Ph.D. under R. Carl Hoseney. She spent the first 18 years of her career in research between KSU and the American Institute of Baking. Rogers developed “Cereal Science and Technology” as one KSU’s first distance learning courses, and continues to teach today. As adjunct assistant professor at KSU she has served on over 20 graduate committees. Since 1995 she has focused on teaching AIB International’s Bakery Science and Technology course and various seminars. Rogers also manages AIBI’s team of Baking Professionals. She is driven to inspire, educate, and mentor students that come from all walks of life and every corner of the world. She was an honored recipient of the AACCI Excellence in Teaching Award and the Milling and Baking Division’s Myron D. “Mike” Baustian Memorial Award. She has been a member of AACCI for more than 30 years and has served in division and section leadership positions, a variety of technical committees, and served as AACCI President in 2012.
