Making Life Better

Food Science Major

Beer — it was pale ale and dark brews that first sparked Ethan Dillon's interest in food science. He's learned a lot about his major since first experimenting with brewing.

During the 2006 spring semester, Dillon's found that not all tasty beverages have to be brews.

"My favorite thing that I made this semester (spring 2006) was a passion fruit drink," he said.

To make it, he used 20 percent passion fruit juice, 70 percent apple juice and 10 percent blueberry juice, which adds both color and a little flavor. His class processed their juices using high pressure, instead of the traditional pasteurization, which helps the drink retain its flavor.

He's back to beer this summer with an internship at Anheuser-Busch.

Ethan's Student Profile

Name: Ethan Dillon
Hometown: Duluth, Ga.
Year: Senior
Major: Food Science

Q&A with Ethan

What made you choose to attend UGA?

I chose to attend UGA because of the food science program that was offered.

How did you choose your major, and why? Is there a story behind your decision?

I brewed beer at home and I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to make a career out of it. While in search of a school that offered a program in brewing science, I found out that UGA offered a major in food science. I contacted the advisor, Dr. Shewfelt, and explained my interests to him. He thought that a food science degree would be good to have to get into the brewing industry.

If you could start over again, would you attend UGA and choose the same major?

Yes.

What's your favorite class?

Food engineering.

Which instructor do you value the most?

Dr. Shewfelt.

What's the most interesting thing you've learned this year?

The temperature of pure, liquid water can be brought down to -40 ºC before freezing.

What exposure, if any, did you have with agriculture before enrolling at CAES?

None.

What are your plans for the future?

To do an internship at Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser) this summer and hopefully work for them full-time after I graduate.

What do you do when you're not in class?

Study, exercise, spend time with family and friends, etc .

More about Ethan

Favorite musician: Cake
Favorite book: Guns, Germs, and Steel
Favorite sport: Golf
Favorite thing to do on campus: Go to Ramsey
Favorite thing to do off-campus: Go downtown
Favorite building on campus: Student Learning Center
My favorite place to eat in Athens is: The Grit

My biggest pet peeve about UGA is: Waiting for a bus and not being able to get on it because it is too crowded.
The biggest surprise about UGA was: The large size of the workout facility (Ramsey).
The thing I like best about UGA is: The laid-back atmosphere.