More than 80 students, faculty, alumni, staff, family and friends of the Chapman University Food Science Program gathered recently to celebrate the program’s 30th anniversary and the 90th birthday of Walter Clark, PhD., one of the founders of the program and beloved faculty member.

As the master of ceremony, Fred Caporaso, Ph.D., welcomed a crowd of alumni coming from as far away as Texas. Sharp as ever, Dr. Clark recalled key events in his life, including those that led to the development of food science at Chapman. Dr. Rose Gong, MD, ‘89, shared her experiences as a student in the program, particularly the roles her professors played as mentors. Anuradha Prakash, Ph.D., program director, presented a summary of the food science program’s flourishing research and teaching activities, as well as her vision for its future.