Robert Vander Zanden: 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipient

 

Dr. Robert Vander Zanden’s career and impact have come full circle with his recognition as the College of Agriculture’s 2024 Distinguished Alumnus. This award celebrates his achievements and dedication to mentorship. His journey to Kansas State University began with an inspiring professor at the University of Wisconsin Platteville, where he earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry.

“I ended up at K-State because the best professor I had as an undergrad was a K-Stater,” Vander Zanden said. That connection led him to pursue his master’s degree in chemistry and eventually a Ph.D. in Food Science from the Grain Science and Industry Department.

“I started in chemistry but eventually switched to the Department of Grain Science and Industry after my master’s degree,” he recalled. This shift proved pivotal, as the department’s reputation and the demand for its graduates shaped his career trajectory. “When I graduated with my Ph.D., my friends in the Chemistry Department would send hundreds of applications, hoping for one interview,” Vander Zanden says. “I sent out ten and got ten interviews. It was the best decision I ever made.”

His time at K-State was marked by the mentorship of professors who recognized his potential, fostering his academic and personal growth. “My major professor, Dr. Dave Lineback, was world-renowned, and the faculty there made you feel important,” he said. “That’s why I loved the department. It prepared me to face any challenge.” Networking was another valuable lesson Vander Zanden took into his career.

“Dr. Bill Hoover many times introduced me to executives who visited, teaching me how crucial networking is,” he shared. “I got my first job that way.” Vander Zanden also learned the power of confidence. “People sometimes thought I was overly confident, but nobody could see my knees knocking,” he said. “If you don’t show confidence, you can’t accomplish much.”

Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles at major companies like Ralston Purina, Keebler, Nabisco and Kraft. “I’ve always believed developing people is more important than developing products,” Vander Zanden said. “I once lost a job opportunity because I said that, but it’s true. If you mentor good people, they’ll create great products.”

Vander Zanden’s legacy is further highlighted by those he has influenced throughout his career. Dr. Lauren Renee Brewer, General Mills and K-State class of 2012, said, “Dr. Vander Zanden taught product development while I was a student at Clemson University and was an advocate for helping students understand what they needed in real life.”

Margaret Condrasky, Clemson University emeritus professor, said, “Dr. Vander Zanden was instrumental in designing courses that supported students in adapting to team-based food and beverage product work.”

Anthony Hayes, CEO of Dominari Holdings Inc., said, “He is an amazing person who helped turn our company around when he became chairman of our board of directors. He focuses on positivity and mentorship.”

Michael E. Hollander, president at Hollander Horizon International, said, “Dr. Vander Zanden’s resume speaks for itself. He consistently delivers high results while never compromising his values.”

Now, as a distinguished alumnus, Vander Zanden’s mentorship and dedication to excellence are formally recognized. “The award means a lot because it shows the importance of making people feel valued and supported,” he said. “We’re supposed to develop people, whether in a company or a university. That’s how we make the world better.”

Dr. Robert Vander Zanden exemplifies the spirit of K-State’s legacy of mentorship, and his contributions to the food industry and the countless lives he has touched truly make him deserving of this prestigious honor.