Recently Retired, Nancy Betts

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

After a long, productive, and rewarding career, Dr. Nancy Betts retired from role as Head of the Department of Nutritional Sciences in July 2017.

Nancy started her career in 1981 as an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences at the University of Nebraska, where she was promoted to associate professor in 1986 and full professor in 1997. She also served as the interim associate dean for the Agricultural Research Division and interim associate dean for Research and Graduate Studies.

In 2005, Dr. Patricia Knaub, then Dean of the OSU College of Human Environmental Sciences, recruited Nancy to Stillwater to serve as the head of the Department of Nutritional Sciences. Her primary focus was to build the research portfolio of the department and realign the academic programs in the department that would attract students. Dr. Betts was named as the Jim and Lynne Williams Endowed Professor in 2010 and was recognized as an OSU Regents Professor in 2013. 

Dr. Betts led the Department of Nutritional Sciences through a period of exceptional growth. When she joined in 2005, the undergraduate enrollment in the Department was 387 and peaked in 2014 with an undergraduate enrollment of 584. This significant growth in enrollment can be largely attributed to the development of an option in Allied Health (the first of its kind at OSU and an attractive academic path for students interested in careers as physician assistants, physical therapists and occupational therapists).  

Under her leadership, the option in Human Nutrition/Pre-Medical Sciences gained recognition for preparing students for successful admission to professional medical programs in Oklahoma. More recently, Dr. Betts played a key role in establishing a stand-alone Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences at OSU. This was a critical step in gaining national recognition for the research and scholarly activities conducted by faculty and graduate students in the department.

Dr. Betts’ leadership put the department in a position for continued growth and sustained research excellence. Nancy worked tirelessly to support faculty research and development — efforts that allowed faculty to flourish in the classroom and with their research activities. We miss Dr. Betts but wish her all the best as she transitions to a new phase of her life.

 

What surprised you most about the culture of OSU after being at the University of Nebraska?

OSU has the most friendly and enthusiastic students, faculty, staff, and alumni. I can think of no place more welcoming than Oklahoma State University.

Of all the courses you have taught, which one is perhaps the most memorable or rewarding?

At the University of Nebraska, my department head and I developed a course that was focused on the cultural aspects of food and nutrition. It was just plain fun teaching students that, regardless of where we live across the globe, we all eat the same basic types of foods and that we just prepare or think about the foods in different ways. Learning about the impact of climate, physical environment, religion, and tradition (to name just a few) on the meanings of food and how culture and food interact was eye-opening for students.

What advice to you have to share with students interested in a career in nutrition and health?

The important core strains that students need for a successful career in nutrition are a love of learning, flexible thinking, and respect for the different ways of thinking about food and health.

What is something you like to do that most people who know you don’t realize?

I love to go trout fishing. One of the things that I look forward to doing over the coming years is trout fishing in new places in the lower 48 (states) and in Alaska. I enjoy traveling to new places and just taking to time to learn about local traditions and cultures…and then thinking about what it would be like to live in these places.

For our friends who may not have yet had a chance to visit Stillwater what is one “must do” for someone visiting for the first time?

Order cheese fries at Eskimo Joe’s. Why? Because that’s just what you do in Stillwater! And, of course, all foods fit in moderation.