ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, US — The North American Millers’ Association (NAMA) and the Kansas State University Foundation earlier this month reaffirmed a Memorandum of Understanding that funds a milling instructor position at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, US.

“The fund will now be known as the ‘North American Milling Industry Instructor Award’ to reflect the commitment to the Department of Grain Science and Industry (K-State) by a broad set of stakeholders,” NAMA said.  

NAMA, which has a long history of supporting the Department of Grain Science and Industry at KSU, including funding a scholarship program and providing guidance for curriculum development, created the NAMA instructor of milling position at KSU in June 2011.

At the time of the position’s creation, NAMA said it expected the instructor to bring a high level of milling industry experience and expertise to teaching in classroom, laboratory and pilot mill settings that are part of the KSU Department of Grain Science and Industry Milling Science Management (MSM) program. NAMA said it also expected the instructor to teach existing undergraduate courses and laboratory sections in milling/grain processing, equipment selection and maintenance, process and operations management, and related safety and regulatory issues in the MSM program, as well as support related programmatic efforts such as student advising, student recruitment, internships and job placement, curriculum development, and service on departmental committees.

Fran Churchill received the original award after it was established in 2011 and continues to serve in this position. She has more than 20 years of practical milling industry experience with The Pillsbury Company, ConAgra, Mennel Milling, General Mills and C.H. Guenther & Son.

“NAMA is proud to support the crucial role that K-State plays in recruiting and training the next generation of the milling workforce,” NAMA said.