Dr. Mary Molt

It gives us great pleasure to present the 2003 Phi Kappa Phi Meritorious Service Award to Dr. Mary Molt, Assistant Director of KSU Housing and Dining Services and Assistant Professor in the Department of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management.

The criteria for the Meritorious Service Award are:
1. Distinguished service to Phi Kappa Phi
2. Achievements in service to Kansas State University
3. Honors and other forms of recognition for excellence in public service

Dr. Molt received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics from the University of Nebraska-Kearney, a Master of Science in Foods, Nutrition and Institution Administration from Oklahoma State University, and a Ph.D. in Hotel, Restaurant, Institutional Management and Dietetics from Kansas State University.

Mary has served our local Phi Kappa Phi chapter in a number of ways. She is a past President of our chapter as well as advisor for Phi Kappa Phi. The fall reception and spring banquet have been planned by Mary for many years and they are always events of the highest quality. Most everything you see tonight, from the flowers to table settings, to arranging for the piano accompaniment, are due to Mary's diligent planning.

Dr. Molt has been a very active member of KSU Faculty Senate, is the Chairperson of the Kansas State University Intercollegiate Athletic Council and serves as the K-State Faculty Advisor for Kappa Omicron Nu National Honor Society for Family and Consumer Sciences.

She has authored a major textbook titled "Food for Fifty" and teaches a course on Food Production Management.

Dr. Molt has received numerous awards and honors, including the American Dietetic Association Foundation Award for Excellence in Management Practice, the National Association of College and University Food Service Theodore W. Minah Distinguished Service Award, the Kappa Omicron Nu Award for Excellence, and was twice recipient of the Richard Lichtenfelt Award for outstanding service to the National Association of College and University Food Service.

Mary is active in both the American Dietetics Association and the Kansas Dietetics Association, serves on the Food Systems Management Education Council and on the editorial review board for the National Association of College and University Food Service Journal, is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Clark E. DeHaven Scholarship Trust, and is on the Foundation Board of Saint Isidore Catholic Student Center.

In the words of the individuals that nominated her, "Mary is the type of person who continuously serves the organization even when she is not an officer. She has always been quite considerate of others. After the fall reception, Mary frequently takes left-over cookies to retired Phi Kappa Phi members who can no longer attend the event. She does this in her own, quiet caring manner. Mary doesn't complain, she's excellent and thorough and she's very deserving of the service award."