October 19, 2007

Performance by Purdue Varsity Glee Club surprises award winner

Nelson, a member of the Varsity Glee Club while a student at Purdue, was honored for developing technology to transport processed fruits and vegetables without product spoilage. He received the $250,000 award, often called the Nobel Prize for food and agriculture, during a ceremony at the Iowa State Capitol.

Nelson was honored for his innovative scientific technology, known as aseptic bulk storage and distribution, which has revolutionized the global food trade, said Brian Breed, director of Purdue Musical Organizations.

"It's a great honor to be asked to perform at this ceremony as a tribute to Dr. Nelson," Breed said. "Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, president of the World Food Prize Foundation, told me the performance would touch Dr. Nelson's heart in a profound and personal way since he fondly spoke of his experience as a member of the Glee Club."

The Purdue Varsity Glee Club performed at the finale of the award ceremony, which was attended by more than 750 people from more than 60 countries, including the award founder, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Norman E. Borlaug; World Food Prize laureates; members of the foundation's Council of Advisers; U.S. and foreign government officials; and other international dignitaries, experts and leaders.

The award ceremony was broadcast live on Iowa Public Television.

Nelson's interest in food preservation technology dates back to high school years when he worked at his family's Morristown, Ind., tomato-canning factory. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in agriculture in 1956 and a doctoral degree in horticulture in 1967, both from Purdue.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Sources: Brian Breed, (765) 494-3941, bdbreed@purdue.edu

Steve Schlenk, PMO assistant to the director, (765) 496-6091, sschlenk@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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