Speaker Series

The President's Club Virtual Speaker Series premiered in June 2020. If you have topic or speaker ideas for future events, please send them to presidentsclub@osu.edu.

February 2022

A taste of chocolate: its origins, history and health

Dr. Mary Kay Pohlschneider is a Senior Lecturer in the of Department of Food Science and Technology at the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. She teaches Introduction to Food Processing, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Food and Health Controversies, Caffeine Science, Kitchen Science and Chocolate Science.

Over the years on faculty at Ohio State, Mary Kay has become known throughout the residence halls for her faculty programs about the science of foods including cookies, ice cream, coffee but especially chocolate. She also serves as a mentor for the university’s Second-year Transformational Experience Program, as well as advising Food Science undergraduate students. Mary Kay received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from The Ohio State University, College of Food Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences in Animal Sciences and Ph.D. from Food Science and Technology.

 

 

Learn more about Dr. Mary Kay Pohlschneider:

• Provost’s Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Lecturer

• Memorable Moment: A Classroom Story

Most class discussions for my “Chocolate Science” course include a sensory evaluation/comparison of 2-3 chocolate samples. I purchase all chocolates at the beginning of the term and match the evaluation theme with the lecture material for each class.

I am often asked to give presentations for our residence halls covering my chocolate course material. For these programs, I have the resident assistant purchase chocolate samples. Early in my teaching career, a resident assistant in my class invited me to her hall. One of the chocolates she purchased had a surprise. By the end of the program, we all referred to it as, “The Chocolate of DEATH.” It contained nutmeg and coriander and truly was terrible.

Little did that student know, this chocolate was on the schedule for our next class. With such a strong, distinct aroma, she smelled it before walking into the classroom. In Charlie Brown missing-the-football style, she exclaimed, “ARRGH, THE CHOCOLATE OF DEATH!” Most of the students passed on that sample, and I implemented an “Evaluate the chocolate samples in silence” policy. By the way, that chocolate is no longer produced.

Past Speaker Series

We are proud of our speakers and offer past presentations for viewing.

Climate Changing: On Artists, Institutions and the Social Environment

Lucy I. Zimmerman
Associate Curator in the Wexner Center for the Arts' Exhibitions Department

 

 

 

The Fierce Urgency of Now: Investing in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Darrell M. Gray, II, MD, MPH, FACG
Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition in the College of Medicine

 

 

 

Global Climate Change and the Demise of Earth's Glaciers

Ellen Mosley-Thompson and Lonnie G. Thompson
Distinguished University Professors and Senior Research Scientists in the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center

 

 

 

Battling Cancer as a Researcher and a Patient

Dr. Jessica Winter
Professor in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Biomedical Engineering

 

 

 

Understanding Stress Trauma and Resilience

Dr. Kenneth R. Yeager
Professor in the College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry

 

 

 

Fulfilling the 21st Century Land-Grant Mission

Dr. Stephen Gavazzi
Professor of Human Development and Family Science in the College of Education and Human Ecology