1998 Distinguished Alumnus
This award salutes the achievement of outstanding Penn State alumni whose "personal lives, professional achievements, and community service exemplify the objectives of their alma mater." It is the highest honor bestowed on a graduate of the University and is sponsored and administered by the Penn State Board of Trustees.
Since the inception of the Distinguished Alumni Award, more than thirty College of Agricultural Sciences graduates have received this very special distinction.
Philip Keeney '55
Professor Emeritus of Food Science
The Pennsylvania State University
Keeney received his doctoral degree in dairy science from the College of Agricultural Sciences in 1955 and was on the Penn State faculty from 1955 until being named professor emeritus in 1985. Once dubbed the "Emperor of Ice Cream" by People magazine, Keeney is an internationally known authority on ice cream, chocolate, and confections. Keeney was instrumental in developing the food science program at Penn State in 1968. A Penn State Creamery ice cream flavor was named after him--"Keeney Beany," a chocolate-based ice cream with specks of vanilla beans. Keeney still helps teach the ice cream short course he directed for thirty years.
