Brabender creates $80,000 fellowship for K-State grain science and industry department

MANHATTAN, KANSAS. — C.W. Brabender Instruments Inc., South Hackensack, N.J., has made a gift of $80,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation Changing Lives Campaign to establish the Brabender Bakery Science Fellowship.

The two recipients of this fellowship will be awarded $20,000 each. They must be graduate students obtaining masters or doctoral degree in the Department of Grain Science and Industry.

For more than 80 years, the Brabender Group has manufactured testing equipment designed for measuring and recording viscosity, consistency, rheology, extensibility and processability of various foods and polymers. C.W. Brabender Instruments Inc. is the original manufacturer of the torque rheometer. The recording dynamometer system was developed by Carl W. Brabender in 1930. The first recording dynamometer unit was known as the Farinograph® and was manufactured for the milling and baking industry to measure the consistency of dough.

“It is our pleasure to work so closely with such an esteemed institution as Kansas State University,” commented Richard Thoma, President of C.W. Brabender Instruments, Inc.  “I am sure that this fellowship will positively benefit all involved, especially the students and the baking industry!  Being a leading manufacturer of instrumentation to the food industry, the Brabender Group is pleased to be able to contribute and give back to our science and industry through this fellowship.”

“C.W. Brabender Instruments Inc. wheat and grain quality testing equipment has served as the backbone of the grain quality industry for over a half century,” said Virgil Smail, head of the Department of Grain Science and Industry. “Their new effort to support research and education of the next century’s leaders in this important worldwide industry reflects their strong commitment to the grain industry. We are excited by their support of future grain leaders through their generous fellowship program and cooperative research effort with K-State. This effort will ensure their leadership in the industry far into the future.”

The KSU Foundation’s Changing Lives Campaign for Kansas State University is a comprehensive $500 million campaign that will infuse new funds into virtually every dimension of the university. The KSU Foundation coordinates fundraising efforts with alumni, friends, corporations and foundations to secure private support for Kansas State University.