Ashland University Honors Professor with Taylor Teaching Award

Dr. David Vanata is the recipient of the 2010 Ashland University Taylor Excellence in Teaching Award. Ashland University Provost Dr. Frank Pettigrew presented the award at Ashland’s Academic Honors Convocation on April 18 in Jack and Deb Miller Chapel.

The award, first presented in 1997, was endowed by Jeromesville residents Edward and the late Louaine Taylor as a way of supporting high quality teaching at Ashland University.

Dr. Vanata is an associate professor in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department, Foods and Nutrition. He obtained his Ph.D. in Human Nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a M.S. in Human Nutrition from the Florida State University, and his B.S. in Business from Stockton College, Pomona, N.J. A faculty member at Ashland since 2002, Vanata was promoted to associate professor in 2008.

He is a registered dietitian (R.D.) and licensed in the state of Ohio. He has been involved in nutrition counseling for the last 15 years and works with individuals such as athletes, children, and adults who have nutritional concerns involving athletic performance, obesity, chronic illnesses, academic performance, and many other areas.

Dr. Vanata's research interests involve nutrition and cognition, community nutrition interventions, and nutrition and athletic performance. He is a member of the American Dietetics Association, the Ohio Dietetic Association and the Ohio Nutrition Council.

Dr. Vanata is an active member of the Ashland University community and has served on various committees. He serves as the Sumer Chair of the Human Subjects Review Board, which oversees all research proposal conducted on campus.

Pettigrew praised the selection of Vanata as the 2010 Taylor Teaching Award recipient.

“David Vanata is someone who is indicative of the high quality of the faculty at Ashland University,” Pettigrew said. “He is an excellent teacher in the classroom and is involved in nutrition counseling as well as outstanding research in a variety of fields.”

Following the award presentation, Vanata spoke to those attending the convocation on the topic, “Fanning the Flame of a Vanilla Jellyfish.”

Vanata was selected by the Taylor Excellence in Teaching Award Committee (TETAC) from among three finalists, also consisting of Dr. Mitchell Metzger, professor of psychology; and Dr. Maria Sargent, professor of education.