Value of Phi Tau Sigma Membership

Few and far between are the great opportunities that can positively impact one’s future and marketability.  Phi Tau Sigma is such a great opportunity. 

Phi Tau Sigma (ΦΤΣ) – The Honor Society of Food Science and Technology, was founded in 1953 with the following objectives:

  • Recognize and honor academic and professional achievements of students and professionals within the Food Science/Industry and aligned sciences/industries
  • Encourage the application of fundamental scientific principles to Food Science and Technology in each of its branches
  • Stimulate the exchange of scientific knowledge through meetings, lectures, and publications
  • Establish and maintain a network of experts in our field
  • Promote charitable, scientific, literary and educational programs

Nomination and selection to Phi Tau Sigma membership distinguishes a mark of excellence and integrity for the inductee, an entryway for lifelong connections, and a platform for leadership and dedication to the field of Food Science and Technology. 

The qualities associated with Phi Tau Sigma membership, i.e., academic excellence, leadership and professional achievement provide a competitive advantage that opens doors for success. 

Partners and supporters of Phi Tau Sigma have access to the best and brightest talent in the field, the opportunity to participate as event, award and scholarship sponsors, and the occasion to network with top leaders in higher education, government agencies, and industry. 

Advantages of membership in Phi Tau Sigma

Through the recognition and honor of selective induction, Phi Tau Sigma members join a community of individuals representing academia, industry and government who pursue, inspire and foster excellence in the field of Food Science and Technology.   Member benefits include:

  1. Recognition of outstanding academic achievement and professional conduct, which is noteworthy on a resume and curriculum vitae.
  2. Opportunity to participate in and contribute to Chapter and Society programming and activities to benefit the food science industry and community.
  3. Eligibility for awards and scholarships ($1000 to $2000 each).
  4. Leadership development opportunities by serving as an elected official or through committee appointments, on national/international and Chapter levels.
  5. Academic and professional networking opportunities with leaders in the field
  6. Opportunities to mentor and foster rising talent, or be the recipient of mentoring and fostering
  7. Connection with members from academia, industry, and government, both domestically and from abroad via the monthly Newsletter, and Chapter or annual meetings. This includes: 
  1. potential for your research, career, lifetime achievements, and upcoming presentations to be featured in monthly Newsletter, and on our social media platforms
  2. University Chapters of Phi Tau Sigma host meetings and events for their members
  3. Phi Tau Sigma Networking Dinner, and virtual Annual Awards Ceremony, and periodic student talks

The very best aspects of Phi Tau Sigma are that it provides a forum to simultaneously recognize the next generation of those who are similarly committed to the discipline while ensuring that these wonderful young people are networked with those who have made life-long contributions to the field. Phi Tau Sigma contributes to the continuity and evolution of our discipline.” Kathryn Boor, Ph.D.  The Ronald P. Lynch Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University and Phi Tau Sigma Lifetime Member.

The Executive Committee of Phi Tau Sigma is committed to this very purpose and continually works to ensure the longevity of the Society.

For more information regarding Phi Tau Sigma and membership nominations, please visit our website at: www.phitausigma.org, and contact Executive Director, Kathryn L. Kotula, Ph.D. at klkotula@msn.com.  (Please write “Phi Tau Sigma” in the subject line.)

Advantages of membership in Phi Tau Sigma

Through the recognition and honor of selective induction, Phi Tau Sigma members join a community of individuals representing academia, industry and government who pursue, inspire and foster excellence in the field of Food Science and Technology.   Member benefits include:

  1. Recognition of outstanding professional conduct and achievements, which is noteworthy on a resume and curriculum vitae.
  2. Opportunity to participate in and contribute to Chapter and Society programming and activities to benefit the food science industry and community.
  3. Eligibility for awards.
  4. Leadership development opportunities by serving as an elected official or through committee appointments, on national and Chapter levels.
  5. Academic and professional networking opportunities with leaders in the field
  6. Opportunities to mentor and foster rising talent.
  7. Connection with members from academia, industry, and government, both domestically and from abroad via the monthly Newsletter, and Chapter or annual meetings. This includes:
  8. potential for your research, career, or lifetime achievements to be featured in monthly Newsletter
  9. University Chapters of Phi Tau Sigma host meetings and events for their members
  10. Phi Tau Sigma hosted symposia during the IFT Annual Meeting, as well as the Phi Tau Sigma and IFT Division Competition Awards Ceremony

The very best aspects of Phi Tau Sigma are that it provides a forum to simultaneously recognize the next generation of those who are similarly committed to the discipline while ensuring that these wonderful young people are networked with those who have made life-long contributions to the field. Phi Tau Sigma contributes to the continuity and evolution of our discipline.” Kathryn Boor, Ph.D.  The Ronald P. Lynch Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University and Phi Tau Sigma Lifetime Member.

The Executive Committee of Phi Tau Sigma is committed to this very purpose and continually works to ensure the longevity of the Society.

For more information regarding Phi Tau Sigma and membership nominations, please visit our website at: www.phitausigma.org, and contact Executive Director, Kathryn L. Kotula, Ph.D. at klkotula@msn.com.  (Please write “Phi Tau Sigma” in the subject line.)

Join now!

Are you ready to join? Please see the membership form below to know more about the detailed membership criteria. Your membership form must be submitted by two active Phi Tau Sigma members.

Please read prior to submitting a nomination for membership

  1. This is a nomination process and not an application. The ΦTΣ Honor Society Nomination for Membership form should be reviewed by the nominators prior to submission.
  2. The nominators (signatories) must be members in good standing (have paid their dues) in Phi Tau Sigma. At least one of the nominators must be a Professional Member.
  3. Do not send attachments, they will be deleted.
  4. All nominations from a single institution should be submitted as individual documents (pdf or Word format), not as a single packet. Email the nomination documents to the Executive DirectorAll nominators must be on the submission email, whether as the sender or copied on the email.
  5. The Membership and Qualifications Committee reviews all nomination and makes recommendations to the Executive Committee. The nomination evaluation process usually takes a month or so. Incomplete nominations will delay the evaluation or result in rejection.
  6. The nomination fee must be paid prior to review of the nomination material by Membership and Qualifications Committee. Please follow the instructions on page 2 above that are repeated here:
  7. Send this form as an email attachment to the Executive Director: klkotula@msn.com
  8. The payment can be by a check drawn on a US bank to Treasurer Kantha Shelke, Ph.D.:
  9. 33 West Ontario, Suite 57F, Chicago, IL 60654.   OR You may pay online at phitausigma.org/membership-dues/. 
  10. Professional member dues are $40 per year, student member dues are $20 per year. Lifetime membership is $400 with no recurrent billing. Submit nomination fee equal to first year dues at the same time as this form.  If elected to membership, the nomination fee is your first year dues or may be deducted from a Lifetime membership. Payment is required with this nomination form.
  11. A nominee who is rejected must wait at least 4 months before reapplying, to allow more courses to be taken, and/or more relevant activities to be accomplished.
  12. Membership of anyone can be revoked for non-payment of dues, except Lifetime Members and Emeritus Members.
  13. This document is on the Phi Tau Sigma website, subsection Membership. Also accessed by direct link: http://phitausigma.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Phi-Tau-Sigma-Nomination-2022.doc or http://phitausigma.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Phi-Tau-Sigma-Nomination-2022.pdf
  14. Contact email addresses:
  15. Executive Director, Kathryn L. Kotula, Ph.D., klkotula@msn.com
  16. Membership & Qualifications Committee Chair, Rebecca Creasy, Ph.D., (rebecca.creasy@tamu.edu)
  17. New members can send and receive messages via the phitausigma@lists.osu.edu list service that enables direct communication with all members in good standing. Anyone may unsubscribe at this link https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/phitausigma
  18. Thank you for your interest in Phi Tau Sigma as we wish you continued success in advancing the profession of food science and technology.