Young Professional Achievement Award
(L to R) VP and Dean Bobby Moser, Kenya Nicholson, Lindsay Hill, Jane Patterson Fife and Jennifer Leheska

Jane Patterson Fife
B.S. 1997, Ph.D. 2003
Agricultural Engineering

After earning her B.S. in Agricultural Engineering summa cum laude from Ohio State, Jane went to the University of Kentucky for her M.S. in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. She returned to Ohio State for her PhD in Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering. In 2003, Jane was awarded first place in the Engineering category for Ohio State's Edward F. Hayes Graduate Research Forum.

An employee of Batelle Memorial Institute since graduating from Ohio State, Jane is currently Associate Manager of the Aerobiology Team.  Since joining Batelle, Jane has been involved with projects primarily dealing with spray and aerosol generation and characterization for determining hazardous effects as part of various counterterrorism programs.  Recent projects have been related to agricultural bioterrorism and food defense.

A member of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Jane is currently an associate editor of Transactions of the ASABE and the Ohio Section Chairperson. Jane is also a member of Ohio State's Department of Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering Industry & Professional Advisory Group. She was featured in "Changing Our World: True Stories of Women in Engineering," which was published by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2006.

Jane and her husband, Neil, live in Powell, Ohio with their young children, William and Mara.

Lindsay Hill
B.S. 2002
Agricultural Communication

After earning her B.S. from Ohio State in Agricultural Communications, Lindsay began her career working for Ed Johnson as a studio producer.  She delivered market reports for his farm radio network and soon advanced to Coordinating Producer for AgriCountry, a television program.  At this time Lindsay was also selected by Ohio State to host a series of promotional messages that aired on ESPN.  Her next position was as a marketing executive for a statewide farm publication, which helped her develop relationships with many of the industry's most respected individuals. Three years later Lindsay returned to radio with a position at WRFD. Eventually Lindsay left WRFD to launch The BARN. After building a network of affiliates, the company took over operation of ABN.

The National Vice President of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, Lindsay is also involved with the National Agrimarketing Association and the Ohio Agricultural Council Executive Committee.  She serves as chair of the planning committee of the annual Ohio Ag Hall of Fame induction.  Lindsay has also been involved with the coordination of the Blue & Gold Banquet for the Ohio FFA, the Ohio FFA Agricultural Communication Career Development Event, and the Top of Ohio Ag Tour.  She is a member of the Ohio State University Leadership Center Advisory Committee and the Curriculum Materials Services Advisory Committee.

A 2008 recipient of the Ohio State University Alumni Association's William Oxley Thompson Award, Lindsay also received a citation from Ohio Director of Agriculture Robert Boggs naming her an Agricultural Ambassador. She has also been recognized by the National Association of Farm Broadcasting with the Horizon Award.

Lindsay and her husband, Andy Vance, live in DeGraff, Ohio.

Jennifer Leheska
B.S. 1998
Animal Sciences

After earning her B.S. in Animal Science from Ohio State in 1998, Jennifer went to South Dakota State University for her M.S. in Animal Science, which she earned in 2001.  While at South Dakota State, she taught and coached three meat judging teams and conducted research concerning the quality of fresh red meat.  Jennifer went on to earn her PhD with a major in Animal Science and a minor in Human Nutrition from Texas Tech University in 2006.  While working on her degree, Jennifer managed a major FDA regulated efficacy trial for a cattle pharmaceutical, evaluated the nutritional benefit and consumer preference of fruit enhanced pre-cooked breakfast sausage, determined the average nutrient profile for grass-fed beef in the United States, and assisted with numerous food safety and meat product studies.  At the same time Jennifer completed the curriculum and internship requirements to be a certified Registered Dietician. 

Jennifer currently owns a consulting business and the majority of her time is spent working as a Nutrition Research Specialist for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. She maintains memberships in the American Society for Nutritional Sciences, the American Meat Sciences Association, the American Dietetic Association, and the Panhandle Dietetic Association.

Currently involved with St. Gianna's Circle at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Jennifer has a history of community involvement. She was involved in organizing 4-H and FFA regional and state meat judging contests in South Dakota. While at Texas Tech she worked with the Institute for the Development and Enrichment of Advanced Learners (IDEAL) Program and the events Science: It's a Girl Thing and Shake Hands with Your Future.

Jennifer and her husband, Michael, live in Canyon, Texas with their young son, J. Kilian.

Kenya N. Nicholson
B.S. 1998
Food Science

Kenya earned a B.A. in Biology from The University of Toledo before coming to Ohio State for her B.S. in Food Science. She then went on to Franklin University for a Master's in Marketing and Communications. Since graduating from Ohio State Kenya has returned each year to assist with the Technical Problem Solving class in the Department of Food Science and Technology. She allows students to visit her plant, gives guest lectures, and helps students apply what they have learned to solving real industry problems.  She also regularly volunteers to judge student competitions. 

Currently a scientist with Rich Products, Kenya has also worked as a food technologist for Borden Foods, a lab technician for T. Marzetti, and a research assistant for Ross Labs.  At Rich Products Kenya has led the development of bakery items, icings, and filings from benchtop to commercialization.  She recently converted all of their frying oils to trans free fats, which involved a change in donut formulation and processing. 

Kenya is a member of the Institute of Food Technologists.  She is also a community board member at Fort Hayes High School in Columbus and a member of the Mass Choir at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church. 

Kenya and her husband, Michael, live in Gahanna, Ohio with their young son, Skyler.